Disgraced ex-Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray is slammed by survivors of the Hillsborough disaster for suggesting ‘open the gates – let them in’ as a solution to the turnstile chaos at Arsenal after a similar decision led to the death of 97 fans

Former Sky Sports pundit Andy Gray has been slammed by a Hillsborough disaster survivor for proposing to ‘open the gates’ amid the turnstile chaos at Arsenal.

The Gunners’ game against Nottingham Forest was delayed by 30 minutes after fans struggled to get to the ground due to e-ticketing issues.

TNT Sports reported that 35,000 fans had failed to enter the stadium shortly before the originally scheduled 12:30 kick-off, as the Gunners’ new ticketing procedure at the Emirates caused problems getting into the ground.

Gray suggested on beIN Sports that Arsenal should have opened the gates to fans – a view his old television partner Richard Keys disagreed with.

A survivor of the Hillsborough disaster also had strong views on the issue, after crowds at the stadium led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans in 1989.

The match was delayed by 30 minutes due to a problem with the club’s new e-ticketing procedure to get fans into the stadium

Hillsborough survivors have responded to Gray’s comments after 97 fans died in the blink of an eye in the 1989 tragedy

Labor MP Ian Byrne was 17 when he went to watch the FA Cup semi-final in Hillsborough between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

He left early when the girlfriend he was watching the game with became uncomfortable, but witnessed Liverpool fans beaten to death, and has reacted strongly to a clip of Gray’s comments.

He tweeted: ‘”Open the gates” – “just let them in” – Commentary that makes the soul shiver. What was Andy Gray thinking.’

Gray’s comments came after beIN Sports presenter Keys explained why the match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest had been postponed to 1pm.

The 67-year-old former striker said: ‘Open the gate. Let them in.’

When Keys replied, “You can’t just open the gates,” Gray insisted, “Yes, you can.”

Keys then added, “That would be even worse.”

Labor MP Ian Byrne, who attended the 1989 Hillsborough game, said Gray’s comments ‘cooled the soul’

Gray continued to reiterate his point, but added, “You just let them in like normal.” All those people there have tickets, don’t they?’

Keys asked “well you don’t know,” to which Gray replied, “Of course they have.”

Gray questioned his old television partner again when he said, “Well, you don’t know. Anyway, in order for things to run smoothly, we have a 30 minute delay and we will get these people as soon as possible.”

The Hillsborough Survivors Supporters Alliance also tweeted: “Andy Gray “open the gates” “just let them in” what a ridiculous and ill-considered comment.”

Electronic tickets caused the problem at the Emirates Stadium, while people with paper tickets could easily enter.

Mail Sport’s Kevin Quigley filmed the chaos outside the Emirates Stadium ahead of kick-off, with thousands of fans trapped in the immediate area around the ground as the turnstile issue caused a backlog of supporters.

Gray and Keys were both sacked from Sky in 2011 after both made derogatory comments about female referee Sian Massey and the suitability of women to officiate matches – for which she later apologised.

After their departure, Keys attributed the comments to “misguided fun” and “guys are allowed banter”.

He later said, “Prehistoric chatter is not acceptable in the modern world. I accept that. We have failed to change while the world has changed. We sincerely apologize for our behavior. It was wrong. I deserve to be beaten. I can stand up and take a beating. I’m not sorry for me, I’m sorry for Sian Massey.’