The Women's Super League (WSL) is facing backlash after a chaotic Women's League Cup draw, marred by an influencer's behavior that has been deemed "crude" and unprofessional. The draw, intended to generate excitement for the quarter- and semi-final matches, has instead sparked controversy and frustration among WSL clubs.
The incident unfolded during a live-streamed draw on WSL Football's TikTok page, featuring social media influencer GK Barry and Portsmouth midfielder Ella Rutherford as hosts. Problems arose when Barry mistakenly put a ball she'd pulled out back into the bag. While an adjudicator confirmed that the same ball was retrieved, the error raised immediate concerns about the integrity of the draw process. WSL Football stated that a different number being selected would have resulted in the draw being redone. One of the participating clubs has requested access to the draw footage, which is not currently available on social media or WSL Football's official YouTube channel.
Beyond the procedural mishap, clubs have expressed anger over Barry's conduct throughout the draw, which included numerous sexual innuendos and inappropriate jokes. Her comments included a remark about “lesbians handling balls” and an innuendo referencing a sponsor's product. Furthermore, after drawing Tottenham out of the bag, Barry flippantly asked, "What do we think of Tottenham?" referencing a song typically sung by Arsenal fans in a derogatory manner. WSL has since apologized directly to Tottenham for the comment.
The WSL's decision to involve Barry was reportedly aimed at attracting younger viewers to the competition. However, her lack of professionalism and admitted unfamiliarity with football have backfired, drawing criticism and overshadowing the event. Barry herself acknowledged her lack of football expertise, even questioning the colors of Liverpool and Chelsea's kits.
The incident raises questions about the balance between entertainment and professionalism in sports promotion. While leagues are increasingly turning to social media and influencers to reach new audiences, this event underscores the need for careful vetting and guidance to ensure that the integrity of the sport and its teams are upheld. The fallout from the draw serves as a reminder that attempts to broaden appeal must be carefully considered to avoid alienating core fans and disrespecting participating clubs.
The quarter-final matches are scheduled to take place between December 19 and 21, with the semi-finals set for January 21 and 22.
