11 December 2023 , 18:24
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Joey Barton has suggested a men's amateur football team would "easily beat" England's women's team in an exhibition game.
Barton, 41, has faced criticism in recent days after insisting "women shouldn't be talking with any kind of authority in the men's game" on X. The former Manchester City player has since followed that up with a series of misogynistic posts on the same platform.
Ex-Sky Sports reporter Bianca Westwood has described Barton's opinion as "the biggest load of c*** I've ever heard", while Arsenal legend and TV presenter Alex Scott hit back at the ex-midfielder during the BBC's Women's Super League coverage on Sunday.
Scott said: "To all the women in football... to the players on the pitch, to everyone that attends games: keep being the role models that you continue to be. To all those young girls that are told, 'No you can't'. Football is a better place with us all in it."
Scott's passionate speech went viral and was applauded by fans. Yet Barton has hit back. He wrote on X: "I can’t say you don’t know men’s football? You don’t. Sorry. You don’t have a clue. And you were a really bad player compared to even a (men's) Sunday league player.
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"In my opinion, the winner of the FA National Sunday Cup this year would easily beat (a women's team) in a cup final at Wembley for charity. The winner of the Women's Super League from this season. Or England Women.
"No Ties. Winners only. Proper ref. 90 mins. Extra time and Penalties. No quarter given! If they don’t (win, the men's team) I will take back everything I said. I only want football to win here. A Friendship Cup. Call it what you want?
Alex Scott hit back at Barton on Sunday (BBC)What do you make of Joey Barton's posts? Let us know in the comments below!
"I’ll happily have Alex on my podcast. I think I know more about football than her. I think I was a better player but I would like to see/hear her perspective. If offer stands. Hate to tell you all the truth. Am I wrong? Let’s debate it. No edit. Long as you want."
Scott hasn't responded to Barton's post on X, but he's since added: "I like Alex. I think she’s a great role model. A brilliant player in the women’s game. The men’s game is different. Debate me. Let’s discuss. I’m a bad guy. I get it. But I want to do good."
Barton has promised to launch a new podcast in the near future after he was sacked as manager of League One side Bristol Rovers in October. The former England international was involved in many controversies during his playing and managerial career and is now back in the spotlight following his extraordinary rant about women in football.
Barton has faced plenty of criticism. TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods has urged him to have a private conversation with broadcasters rather than post on social media because it encourages a "pile on for the women getting on with their jobs" - if he feels that strongly on the matter. Chelsea boss Emma Hayes believes women in football are "routinely used to dealing with systemic misogyny, bullying" and has told their critics to "evolve or you die".