Souness

[Kippax77]

I don’t see an issue with what he said personally. He was clearly talking about mens football being a man’s game - a phrase which has been used for probably a hundred years. He didn’t say it’s a man’s “sport”.

Technically he is right - only men were allowed on the pitch yesterday. Shall we reconsider that rule too?

I’m very happy for England’s women that they won the Euros, and if that encourages more girls to take up football and increased inclusivity within the sport more widely, that would be fantastic. However, if the legacy coming out of England’s womens’ win becomes this “par-for-par” sterilisation of the men’s game, then they’re setting themselves up to lose a lot of potential fans - the very fans who have watched football their whole lives and generally love the sport.

When asked, I recently told someone that I hadn’t watched the women’s euros, and didn’t watch the final. I was met with some direct and confrontational comments such as “oh just because they’re women?” As if we’re all under a positive obligation to watch and enjoy it, and the only reason for not doing so is sexism. No, I don’t watch it because I never have, I’m not invested in it, and I’d simply be spending my entire life watching football if I did, considering I go to every City game and watch every Premier League game on TV as it is. I’m also not afraid to say it’s less enjoyable - we have the most exciting mens league in the world which has developed in all respects over 30 years, that would be a difficult hurdle to beat.

It might have been a clumsy comment in today’s day and age, but Souness shouldn’t be hung for it. If a pundit for womens football said “it’s a woman’s game” does anyone seriously think we’d be having this discussion? That comment would probably be praised and feature on the front page of BBC Sport, as an indication of how great women’s football had become.

Like you I didn't watch any game of the women's Euro's.
I just wasn't remotely interested.
Call it my personal choice, but don't feel I've committed a crime, nor should I.
Anyway Mrs Kippax watched it all and was chuffed to bits the England team won

 

[mexico1970]

Like you I didn't watch any game of the women's Euro's.
I just wasn't remotely interested.
Call it my personal choice, but don't feel I've committed a crime, nor should I.
Anyway Mrs Kippax watched it all and was chuffed to bits the England team won

That's about it really, I pay to watch City play I don't and have never paid to watch the women or academy or EDS play.

I feel no guilt for that at all.

 

[ancoats]

can we still (SHOUT MAN ON) from the stands

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

I loved watching the women's games, used to be a regular at the city women's games especially for my daughter.

However I am fed up with this constant knocking of the man's game and men in general. That's not equality.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

Yep, the whole thing seems to have been blown well out of proportion. Souness is one of Sky’s better pundits and the general point he was making (about refs letting more stuff go this season and last) is a valid one. It’s improving the spectacle greatly.

Souness probably needs to issue/tweet a clarification for those still pretending they really thought he was making a sexist comment. Such is the way of the world.

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

I loved watching the women's games, used to be a regular at the city women's games especially for my daughter.

However I am fed up with this constant knocking of the man's game and men in general. That's not equality.

Manopause?

 

[Petetheblu]

I loved watching the women's games, used to be a regular at the city women's games especially for my daughter.

However I am fed up with this constant knocking of the man's game and men in general. That's not equality.

I think this "general knocking of men" is slowing down a bit, I've noticed not every advert on TV has that "dumb male" character next to the "ultra bright" female character anymore

Probably only 96% on adverts, but I'm a bloke and can't count, so it could be more.....!! Lol.

 

[Pell]

I agree, Souness is a dinosaur and there's no room for toxic masculinity in the game. I propose the following changes:

Ball boy = ball person
Linesman = Lines person
Ball = round object (men have balls so we have to drop that word also, it is a toxic word anyway)

We're also going to have to change Manchester City FC to Personchester City FC.

 

[Maly]

I'm not offended at all by what he said I merely stated that in my opinion he is a clown and a dinosaur for making that comment, as well as being wrong. He wasn't specifically referring to that game yesterday when he made the comment, he was being a sexist pillock. It is you taking offence because you disagree with me !

How was he being a sexist pollock? Its actually a commonly used proverb to mean ‘it’s a physical contact sport’

How on earth is that sexist?

Saying women can’t play football as it’s a man’s game would be a sexist comment

Big difference in the context

Now go wipe yer fanny ;)

 

[Mr Kobayashi]

How was he being a sexist pollock? Its actually a commonly used proverb to mean ‘it’s a physical contact sport’

How on earth is that sexist?

Saying women can’t play football as it’s a man’s game would be a sexist comment

Big difference in the context

Now go wipe yer fanny ;)

Irony?

Boxing, UFC, MMA... It's a man's game.