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Football London
Football London
Sport
Josh Holland

Graeme Souness criticised over 'men's game' comments following Chelsea vs Tottenham

Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has been slammed by England's European Championship winger Bethany England for his "man's game" comments following Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle United manager was part of the Sky Sports panel to witness the entertaining draw at Stamford Bridge and Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win over West Ham United earlier in the day.

Souness joined Karen Carney and Dave Jones in the studio and was left delighted following referee Anthony Taylor's performance at Stamford Bridge.

READ MORE: Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel sent off after touchline bust-up in Chelsea vs Tottenham

Taylor booked Reece James for a tactical foul and Edouard Mendy for time-wasting before sending off Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte following a touchline bust-up. But Souness' comments after the game have received backlash from Euro 2022 winner England, as well as former Chelsea player Eniola Aluko.

"I think we've got our football back, as I would enjoy football," Souness said. "Men at it, blow for blow and the referee letting them get at it.

"We've all played the game. You see simulation and players throwing themselves to the ground. I've not seen that in the two games today. It's a man's game all of a sudden again and the referee had a wonderful game.

"If there is such a thing as a purist who watches football, they might get excited when they see the two managers are getting upset with each other. I'm sorry, it's a professional sport, that's what it's all about."

Souness' comments after the game have received backlash from England and Eniola Aluko. England tweeted: "It's a man's game", "Men at it". Get in the bin, what a disgraceful thing to say after the summer this country has just seen."

Aluko, who now works as a pundit, joined England in slamming Souness' comments. "Awkward turtles, Graeme Souness talking about "it's a man's game again" sat next to an England centurion Karen Carney, two weeks after @Lionesses end a 56 year wait and win European Championships.

"Come on. It's not okay."

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