Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has been heavily criticised after describing football as "a man's game" following live coverage of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Tottenham. A late Harry Kane equaliser rescued a point for Spurs at Stamford Bridge in what was an entertaining 2-2 draw and, while dissecting the game for Sky Sports in the studio, Souness said: "Simulation and people throwing themselves to the ground. I've not seen that in the two games today. It's a man's game all of a sudden again."
His comments come just two weeks after England's Lionesses won the European Championship at a sold-out Wembley Stadium. And to make matters worse, his comments were made in front of former Lionesses star and Chelsea Women captain Karen Carney, who was also on punditry duty for the game and looked visibly uncomfortable at the comments.
Souness repeated himself when expressing his pleasure to have witnessed a combative affair that reminded him of how football used to be. He said: “I think we’ve got our football back, as I would enjoy football … men at it, blow-for-blow, and the referee letting them get on with it.” He has since doubled down on his comments in a separate radio interview.
Update: Sky Sports issue Graeme Souness statement after 'man's game' TV furore
Lead presenter David Jones swiftly moved in to comment: "It's a man's game, but as Karen points out, it's a woman's game as well. We've seen the former Chelsea captain make a few tackles in her time."
On social media, England footballer and Euro 2022 winner Bethany England tweeted: “'It’s a man’s game', 'Men at it' Get in the bin. What a disgraceful thing to say after the summer this country has just seen."
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