Coach under fire for calling women’s sports teams ‘more emotional’ than men’s teams
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels has come under fire for his controversial comments about women’s football.
Shiels’ side were beaten 5-0 by England in their 2023 World Cup qualifier on Tuesday (April 12), with four of the goals coming in the second half.
During his post-match interview, he boldly claimed that women’s football teams concede more goals in quick succession due to being more ’emotional’ than men. Watch the clip below:
The comments came after the Lionesses secured a triumphant victory, with their second goal scored in the 52nd minute before three more in the 60th, 70th and 79th minutes.
Shiels’ remarks drew strong reactions on social media, with former Arsenal player Ian Wright weighing in on the situation.
Taking to Twitter, the female expert wrote: “Kenny Shiels talking nonsense! Let’s talk about emotional women! Didn’t this man see how many times I cried on the PITCH!
Former England Women’s goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain also weighed in on the matter, calling Shiel’s comments “bizarre”.
She told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We all know – and we understand as footballers – the five minutes after conceding a goal, the five minutes after scoring a goal at all levels, not just in football women’s, in men’s football too, you’re more likely to concede a goal, you’re more likely to score again.
“It’s not just in the women’s game, it’s also in the men’s game and generalizing that to women is a bit of a weird comment.
7 months ago“You kind of have to take a bit of responsibility for knowing the value that words can have and when you’re giving post-game press conferences when you’re feeling emotional after a big game, it’s important to make sure that you speak sensibly and are aware of the message your words can convey.
Football fans shared their rage over Shiels’ comments on Twitter, writing, “It’s probably time for you and your misogyny to go.”
What’s most frustrating about Kenny Shiels’ post-game comments isn’t just the ridiculous implication + full gender stereotypes, but also the fact that he single-handedly hijacked the game. attention to what was meant to be a celebration of the game’s progress in N . Ireland.
— Girls on the Ball (@GirlsontheBall) April 13, 2022
Another person wrote: “How the hell can Kenny Shiels, manager of the Northern Ireland women’s team, have such a low opinion of women? How the hell do you get to this job?
Another recalled Shiels saying in 2014 that his doctor had advised him against conducting match-day interviews, saying they made him “emotionally unbalanced”.
UNILAD has contacted Kenny Shiels for comment.
