Karen Carney has found herself in the middle of a storm after fellow Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness called football âa manâs gameâ live on air.The incident took place after Chelsea and Tottenham played out a thrilling and hot-tempered 2-2 draw in the Premier League.Frustrations boiled over on more than one occasion, with managers Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel receiving a red card for a confrontation after full-time.Souness, Carney, Jamie Carragher and David Jones then discussed the match in the Sky Sports studio."Referees are letting a lot more go and it makes for a better watch,â Souness said. âWeâve all played the game, with simulation and people throwing themselves into the ground.âI havenât seen that in the two games today. Itâs a man's game all of a sudden now."Souness later added: "I think we've got our football back, as I would enjoy football. Men at it, blow for blow, and the referee letting them get on with it."It was quickly pointed out by womenâs football stars such as Eni Aluko and Beth England that Souness made the comments while sitting next to Carney, who was capped 144 times for England during an illustrious playing career.
Video: Watch Karen Carney's apparent reaction to Graeme Souness's comments
His comments were also made two weeks after the Lionesses won Englandâs first major title since 1966 at Euro 2022.
âAwkward turtles, Graeme Souness talking about âitâs a manâs game againâ sat next to an England centurion Karen Carney, two weeks after @Lionesses end a 56 year wait and win European Championships,â Aluko wrote on Twitter.
âCome on. Itâs not okay.â
England posted: ââItâs a manâs gameâ. âMen at itâ. Get in the ð what a disgraceful thing to say after the summer this country has just seen.â
Carney seemed unimpressed by Sounessâs comments, and appeared to react to his words while live on air.
As soon as the former Liverpool captain stopped speaking, Carney seemed to look straight down the camera, make a face, and roll her eyes in frustration.
Social media users spotted the covert reaction and praised the former England and Chelsea star for her composure.
âKaren Carney's reaction is absolutely everything,â wrote one Twitter user. âSend Souness back to the cretaceous period and let's keep her on for every game left in the season.â
Another posted: âI love Karen Carney's reaction here. Full on Jim from The US Office vibes ðâ
âIf Karen Carney ever made a face like this in reaction to something I had said, I would simply evaporate on the spot,â read another comment.