WSL teams angry as GK Barry makes sexual innuendos in farcical League Cup draw | Football

Women’s Super League clubs were left dismayed after GK Barry’s farcical League Cup draw on Tuesday night included sexual innuendos, an insult towards Tottenham and a moment where one ball was put back in the bag after being taken out.

The 26-year-old social media influencer and podcast host, whose real name is Grace Keeling, conducted the Women’s League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draws alongside her partner, Portsmouth midfielder Ella Rutherford, in a live broadcast on the WSL’s TikTok page, which has 900,000 followers.

Barry, who was also a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! last year, set the tone before the draw began as she showed the balls in the case and said: ‘These are my balls right here on show, get a load of it, usually I’d charge.’

As she placed the balls in the bag to start the draw, Barry said: ‘Lesbian handling balls, never been seen before’, before adding, ‘what I’m going to do is give it a shake and a spank for luck, bit of fun’.

After Tottenham’s ball was pulled out of the bag, Barry was then prompted by Rutherford to say: ‘What do we think of Tottenham?’, which is the start of an anti-Spurs chant sung by Arsenal fans.

It is understood that the WSL Football has issued an apology to Tottenham for the remark Barry made during the draw, which was repeated for a second time a few minutes later.

Barry then mistakenly thought she had pulled out a ball from the bag too early and put it back in.

‘Am I allowed to do that?’ Barry asked someone who was standing off camera.

‘I’ve done it now, it’s too late. Oh, I picked up the same ball.’

Barry signed off the draw with an innuendo about the Women’s League Cup sponsor Subway as she said: ‘Even if you’re a lesbian, get a footlong.’

The WSL Football had recruited Barry, who has over four million TikTok followers, in an attempt to connect with a new and younger demographic.

However, WSL clubs were unhappy with the behaviour and conduct displayed by Barry throughout the draw,.

Chelsea, who won the League Cup last season, were drawn away to Liverpool. West Ham host Manchester City, while Manchester United are at home to Tottenham. Arsenal host Crystal Palace, who are the only WSL 2 side to make it to the quarter final.

The winners of Liverpool’s match against Chelsea will play the winners of Manchester City and West Ham, while the winners of Manchester United and Tottenham will meet the winners of Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

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