Sports presenter Laura Woods has backed colleague Emma Jones after she received criticism for her outfit.

Jones, who presents for Leeds United, the BBC and Premier Sports, posted a photo of herself in a dress with the caption: "Bets on how long this dress stays this colour…".

She later posted on Instagram: “This dress sat through a 3-course meal and came away unscathed. I don't even know who I am anymore!”

But Jones also received an onslaught of criticism for her outfit choice, with one social media user responding: “How can you expect to be taken seriously as a football presenter by posting images like that.”

After a string of disapproving messages, Jones issued a response on Twitter.

“Thank you to the overwhelming majority of you who have called out the few misogynists & dinosaurs in the replies to this,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately it's usually those people who shout the loudest. I was hosting an awards ceremony & I felt lovely in my new dress, so I wanted to share it.”

Laura Woods backs Emma Jones over outfit criticism

Woods quickly came to Jones’s defence, posting a message of support on Twitter.

“What some people don’t get is…you're allowed to be both,” she wrote. “You're smart and you're beautiful. One shouldn't and doesn't cancel out the other.

“I absolutely love seeing other people's glams, women AND men. And if you stopped posting them I'd be pretty disappointed tbh.”

Jones responded: “Reading that tweet was like getting a Twitter hug. Thanks, Laura. You’re so right. I love seeing other people happy, successful and enjoying life”.

Who is Laura Woods?

Woods is one of the most well-known sports presenters in the UK. She currently works for DAZN, ITV and talkSPORT, having left Sky Sports earlier this year after starting out with the company in 2009.

Named SJA Sports Presenter of the Year in March, Woods covers football, boxing and NFL. She is also the host of talkSPORT’S Breakfast, one of the most listened to shows in the UK.

The 35-year-old regularly works with high-profile brands and interviews the biggest names in world football.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Laura Woods reports for ITV Sport television during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier group D match between England and North Macedonia at St. Mary's Stadium on September 17, 2021 in Southampton , United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Woods has previously opened up about the sexist abuse she receives on social media.

"I have had it all in tweets and stuff," she told the Daily Mail. "You are underweight. You are overweight. You have too much make-up. You look tired. Men have to deal with scrutiny, too. I know. But their knowledge is never attacked in the same way.

"Women have transitioned into some sports such as cricket incredibly well. But what is it about football that people can’t accept something if it’s coming out of a woman’s mouth?

"Women can be brain surgeons. They can save your life. They can go to the moon. But they can’t give you an opinion about football. It’s bonkers."