If you drew a Venn diagram of Emma Hayes’ critics and the fragile folk who cry “snowflake” about others, then congrats on drawing a circle.
The ex-Chelsea and current USA women’s coach is upsetting all the right people at this World Cup during her ITV punditry duties, reprising a role for which she first drew plaudits at Euro 2020.
It’s safe to say though not everyone is a fan. Earlier in the tournament, one of ITV’s videos on X, a mere snippet of Hayes’ analysis so far, prompted a flurry of negative replies. Two mentions of “kitchen”, one asking for “two sugars”, another yelling abuse through their keyboard that is not fit for publication. Seven profiles had either the England flag or Union Jack emoji in their handles or bios.
Meanwhile a Facebook post from a well-known outlet led to one hurling direct sexist abuse at Hayes, another began “not been sexist” – always a solid start, and that’s being you imbecile – before proceeding to say “if it was baking or gardening then I am all for free speech”.
Then, with Hayes analysing England’s match with Croatia during the drinks breaks on Wednesday night, an X post from Joey Barton’s podcast read, depressingly to no one’s surprise, “Give it a rest Emma love”.
