Controversial League Cup draw sparks anger among Women’s Super League clubs
Multiple Women’s Super League clubs have expressed anger following Tuesday’s controversial League Cup draw, which was marred by sexual innuendos and procedural mishaps during a live TikTok broadcast, reports BritPanorama.
Social media personality GK Barry, real name Grace Eleanor Keeling, conducted the quarter-final and semi-final draw alongside Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford. However, the event quickly descended into chaos. Concerns emerged about the execution of the draw, with clubs formally requesting access to video footage to assess its validity.
The broadcast, which was exclusively streamed on WSL Football’s TikTok channel, is no longer available for viewing on the platforms or YouTube channel. During the proceedings, Ms. Keeling faced scrutiny when she appeared to extract a numbered ball only to return it to the bag while determining the semi-final fixtures, leading to questions about the integrity of the process.
“Am I allowed to do that? I’ve done it now, it’s too late,” she remarked on camera, before claiming to retrieve the same ball again. Officials present confirmed the retrieved ball bore the same number as the one initially selected, and WSL Football stated the process would have been restarted if a different number emerged.
Adding to the criticism of the draw’s professionalism, WSL Football issued a formal apology to Tottenham Hotspur after Ms. Keeling made an inappropriate remark when extracting the ball bearing Tottenham’s name, asking, “What do we think of Tottenham?”—a phrase associated with an anti-Spurs chant. The organisation acknowledged the comment was unsuitable for the occasion and reached out to Spurs directly to express regret over the incident.
Throughout the broadcast, Ms. Keeling made crude remarks, including a comment suggesting she would give the ball bag a “shake, a spank for luck.” Fans took to social media to express their frustration, with comments ranging from “this was embarrassing and degrading to women’s football” to calls for a redo of the draw, citing its unprofessional nature.
It remains unclear how WSL Football will address the backlash as discussions continue among clubs about the draw’s conduct. This incident highlights the challenges in maintaining a balance between engaging a younger audience through innovative platforms and the integrity expected in official football proceedings.
The situation serves as a reminder of the tightrope walked in modern sports media; how the aim to connect with youth can sometimes overshadow the very decorum that defines professional sports. A balancing act that merits reflection as the Women’s Super League continues to grow in prominence.
