Jeff Stelling launched a defence of the Lionesses after controversial former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton branded their gripping Euro 2025 quarter-final victory a ‘monstrosity’.
Sarina Wiegman’s side booked their place in the semi-finals after a dramatic late comeback against Sweden.
They scored two goals in less than two minutes, courtesy of Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang, to level the score with just nine minutes remaining.
England later triumphed 3-2 on penalties with goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saving two attempts as Sweden could only net two of their seven spot-kicks.
Only five of the 14 penalties were converted, with Sweden’s shot-stopper Jennifer Falk saving four as well as blasting her own effort over the bar.
The Lionesses face Italy on Tuesday and are just two wins away from defending their crown, but despite the remarkable win, Barton typically lashed out, describing the game as a ‘monstrosity’
‘Is this a knockout game this monstrosity?’ the former Newcastle midfielder wrote on X.
But Jeff Stelling was quick to reply, writing: ‘Bet you haven’t turned off though Joey?’
The broadcaster also responded to a number of tweets throughout the match to defend the women’s game
Barton later responded: ‘I did Jeff. That’s how bad it was. You can’t tell me that’s proper football. It’s pure cosplay nonsense… And YOU know it!
It is not the first time the former colleagues have clashed.
Stelling previously branded Barton’s views on the women’s game as ‘totally wrong’, claiming he makes headline-grabbing claims to increase attention towards his podcast.
Asked if he followed Barton’s unsavoury debates around women’s football, Stelling told the Guardian: ‘Oh, yes. You can’t avoid it, can you? I’ve worked with Joey a couple of times and I enjoyed his company then.
‘Initially, I’m sure this was to gain some traction for the podcast. Unfortunately it’s become a monster and totally wrong to say women have no right to talk about football.’
The 70-year-old also called out the ‘sexist environment’ at football while he was growing up, when his sister Sue took him to Hartlepool United matches.
‘She would honestly be the only woman in the ground,’ he said.
‘There were no toilet facilities for women and it was very foreboding and unwelcoming.’
Stelling added: ‘It was a totally sexist environment. To see a woman at football was a shock and they didn’t understand she was just my big sister doing me a massive favour in taking me to the game.
‘I’m so glad that’s changed because you now see so many women and families at football matches.’
