Football commentator banned after saying female referee 'should be at home doing ironing'

Commentator’s off-air comment is believed to have been overheard by a female fan who then decided to report the commentator to club officials

The station says it has suspended the 36-year-old pending a full investigation (Chorley Guardian / SWNS.com)

A football commentator has been barred from his local football club after allegedly yelling at a female referee that she should be at home ironing.

As Chorley FC took on Bradford Park Avenue FC, Ian Livesey reportedly shouted: “You should be at home doing the ironing love”.

The commentator’s off-air comment is thought to have been overheard by a female fan who then decided to report the commentator to club officials.

Mr Livesey, a Chorley FC fan for his whole life, has since been banned from going to games by the club while it investigates the complaint.

Mr Livesey worked at Chorley FM – a radio station created by volunteers in 2001 based in Chorley, Lancaster which is often associated with a fictional radio station featured in comic Peter Kay’s popular TV series Phoenix Nights.

One of his trademark sayings is: "Chorley FM - coming in your ears.”

He has also shut down his regular football commentary called MagpiesLive which was aired on the radio station on match days.

“In light of recent happenings in correspondence from the football club to myself personally, I have to take the hard decision to close MagpiesLive down from this date forward,” said a statement on its Twitter feed.

“I would like to thank everyone for their kind words and donations to keep the service running, none more so than the Chorley FC supporters in the past couple of years.”

The alleged incident took place during Chorley FC's 2-0 home win over National League One rivals on 2 April.

The station said it has suspended the 36-year-old pending a full investigation.

Mr Livese has not responded to requests for a comment.

After the club was initially informed of the alleged sexist remark by a supporter, details of the incident were leaked to a local paper.

“Apparently there was a woman referee a few weeks back and this individual shouted something along the lines of ‘You should be at home doing the ironing, love’,” an anonymous source told the newspaper.

“A female supporter heard the remark and complained and the ban resulted.”

Donna Beckett. of Chorley FM, said: “On April 2 Ian contacted Chorley FM to advise that, in respect of off-air comments made to a female referee, Chorley Football Club had imposed a club ban prohibiting Ian from attending Chorley FC games. We were not provided with any details regarding the comments made.

“Chorley FM immediately informed Ian that, in the circumstances, all future Magpies Live broadcasts would be suspended pending a full investigation into the matter.

“Before that investigation could commence, Ian informed us that he had decided to discontinue the Magpies Live service and to thereby effectively terminate his involvement with Chorley FM.

“Chorley FM enjoys a mutually supportive relationship with Chorley FC and we will continue to work together for the benefit of the local community.”

Dave Riche, Chief executive at Chorley FC, said it was “a regrettable incident for all parties concerned”.

He added: “The club has ground regulations in place which need to be followed. These adhere to Football Association policy of which we as a club are governed.”

Additional reporting by SWNS