ONE of the biggest shocks of my life came during an England World Cup game some years ago.

“Wasn’t he offside?” said my wife, as in time-honoured fashion, another England chance went begging against what should have been minor opponents.

You could have knocked me down with a feather. A woman? Trying to comprehend the complexities of the offside rule?

Know your limits, I told her, and banished her to the kitchen where her true skills could be harnessed for the good of the family.

I’m fairly sure you could have knocked Andy Gray and Richard Keys down with a feather when they heard their dulcet, albeit sexist tones played out for the world to hear after the weekend match.

Germaine Greer would have knocked them down with something far more substantial, but while their off-air comments about assistant referee Sian Massey were entirely unacceptable and childish, should we be clamouring for their heads?

The fact that Miss Massey judged a controversial decision during the match correctly pours even more scorn on their stupid comments and there will be those who might want to hear more than the offered apology from the pair.

Their removal from last night’s live coverage spoke volumes about the pressure Sky is under, but I’d rather see them forced to promote the women’s game on the box than be summarily banished from it.