Football legend Graeme Souness panned for ‘appalling’ live TV remark

Football legend Graeme Souness has copped backlash for “appalling” remarks that have been branded as disrespectful to women.

Football legend Graeme Souness has copped heated backlash for “appalling” remarks following the controversial 2-2 draw between Tottenham and Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Football legend Graeme Souness has copped heated backlash for “appalling” remarks following the controversial 2-2 draw between Tottenham and Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Things got heated after the final whistle at Stamford Bridge when an intense handshake between Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte sparked wild scenes.

Tuchel and Conte were both awarded red cards following the ugly incident, in which security was forced to separate the pair on the pitch.

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Speaking in the Sky Sports studio alongside ex-Lionesses footballer Karen Carney, Souness reflected on the intense derby between Chelsea and Tottenham.

“Referees are letting a lot more go and it makes for a better watch,” he said.

“We’ve all played the game, with simulation and people throwing themselves into the ground. I haven’t seen that in the two games today. It’s a man’s game all of a sudden now.”

When asked about the fiery encounter between Tuchel and Conte, Souness said “boys will be boys”.

Souness come under immediate scrutiny for his comments, most notably from Carney’s former England teammate Eniola Aluko.

“Awkward turtles, Graeme Souness talking about ‘it’s a man’s game again’ sat next to an England centurion Karen Carney, two weeks after the Lionesses end a 56-year wait and win European Championships,” she tweeted.

“Come on. It’s not okay.”

Chelsea footballer Bethany England posted: “It’s a man’s game. Men at it. Get in the (bin emoji) what a disgraceful thing to say after the summer this country has just seen.”

However, controversial television presenter Piers Morgan jumped to Souness’ defence, posting to Twitter: “I’m outraged & disgusted that Graeme Souness used the words ‘man’s game’ when talking specifically about an incident in a man’s game played by two teams of men. Especially when we’ve all spent the past few weeks talking about the ‘women’s game’.”

Post match analysis on @SkySportsPL needs to change. Only 2 weeks after @lionesses brilliant summer of football, Souness calls football “a man’s game”, saying “boys will be boys” and “we’ve got our game back, men going at it.” Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/Fp9Cd0S3Ar

— Stephen Kelly (@SKellyCEO) August 14, 2022

"it's a man's game" says Graeme Souness, sitting next to 142-cap Quadruple-winning England international Karen Carney.

the latest in a long line of terrible takes and ridiculous, archaic opinions.

get this man off my TV @SkySportsPL.

— Muhammad Butt (@muhammadbutt) August 14, 2022

Graeme Souness constantly banging on about football being a man’s game is crass at the best of times but doing so while he’s sat beside a woman … appalling show of disrespect.

And let’s not even get onto that weird Messi comment.

— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) August 14, 2022

Earlier in the match, Conte’s exuberant celebrations of Spurs’ first equaliser resulted in the two coaches being booked for squaring up.

Tuchel then responded by running down the touchline in celebration when Chelsea retook the lead through Reece James 13 minutes from full-time.

But Harry Kane’s 96th minute equaliser meant Conte had the last laugh.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Tuchel claimed the altercation was sparked by Conte not looking him in the eye during the handshake.

“I thought when we shake hands you looked in each other eyes, he had a different opinion,” he said.

“It (the red cards) was not necessary but a lot of things were not necessary. Another poor decision from the referee

“It was hot from the temperature and hot between the benches and hot on the field and hot between the spectators.

“There’s no hard feelings. I feel like it was a fair tackle from him and a fair tackle from me.

“We did not insult each other, we did not hit each other, we were fighting for our teams and from my side there’s absolutely no hard feelings. I’m surprised that we both got a red card for that.”

Tottenham Hotspur's head coach Antonio Conte and Chelsea's head coach Thomas Tuchel shake hands. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP.

With AFP

Originally published as Football legend Graeme Souness panned for ‘appalling’ live TV remark