Laura Woods joins angry presenters slamming Joey Barton for sexist tweets saying women ‘shouldn’t talk about men’s game’

JOEY BARTON has been slammed by TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods over his comments about female pundits.

Former Manchester City and Newcastle star Barton went into a tirade on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming women are not qualified to talk about the men’s game.

Alamy

Joey Barton disparaged female pundits and said he could ‘not take them seriously’[/caption]

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Laura Woods hit back at one of the comments Barton made[/caption]

His tirade on X included saying that women commentating on men’s football was the same as him “talking about knitting or netball” – and called those who disagreed with him “eunuchs” and “fart parcels”

Barton, 41, has agreed to be interviewed by Sun columnist Piers Morgan on his show Piers Morgan Uncensored on TalkTV tonight.

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Watch Piers Morgan Uncensored weekdays on Sky 522, Virgin Media 606, Freeview 237, Freesat 217 or on Fox Nation in the US and enjoy his explosive interviews here

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The controversial star’s comments have received a huge backlash after the former Bristol Rovers boss said he does not think women pundits should be allowed to comment on the men’s game.

Barton’s tweeted: “Women shouldn’t be talking with any kind of authority in the men’s game. Come on. Let’s be serious.

“It’s a completely different game. If you don’t accept that. We will always see things differently.

“The women’s game is thriving. Fantastic to see.

“I cannot take a thing they say serious in the men’s arena.”

Hours after his initial tirade Barton doubled down on his comments and called out Manchester City’s social media manager.

Barton also responded to several men taking issue with his comments by calling them “eunuchs”.

He also posted images of children’s dolls such as Action Man without any genitalia to emphasis his point.

TNT Sports presenter Woods leaped to the Man City media manager’s defence after Barton stated his desire to rid football of influencers.

Woods tweeted: “Usually avoid these conversations as I don’t like adding more oxygen. But throwing young vloggers to the wolves is wrong.

Sky Sports

Sky Sports’ Simon Thomas also criticised Barton[/caption]

Barton previously showed support for the #HERGAMETOO initiative

“I started my career vlogging and I’ve always got on with Joey. He also sent me a lovely good luck message for TNT in June. Does that make him a eunuch too?

“Joey’s entitled to his opinion. If he feels that strongly about women in the men’s game he could ask for a private conversation with the broadcasters & state his case.

“These tweets only encourage a pile on for the women getting on with their jobs. Or was that the intention?”

Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas responded to Barton’s remarks by posting two emojis showing a person facepalming.

Another Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pike also made a show of support to City’s social media manager.

She wrote on X: “Proud to be a woman working in football, for a club that champions women across all departments.

“Man City’s Social media manager is a highly talented individual, who does an exceptional job across social channels and im proud to have HER represent our club.”

Barton later repeated his opinion on women commentators, describing their contribution as “nonsense”.

The former Man City star said: “Stand by everything I’ve said on women commenting and co-comms on the men’s football.

“Like me talking about knitting or netball. Way out of my comfort zone. Some of the men are bad enough! We have gone too far.

“You cannot watch a game now without hearing the nonsense. Any man who says otherwise is an absolute fart parcel.”

Barton’s posts come after he had previously thrown his support behind the #HERGAMETOO initiative.

Other Sky Sports brodcasters are pitched in to accuse Barton of sexism.

Dougie Critchley wrote: “Remarkable decision to end your top level management career at 41 with a tweet.

“Condescending, backwards, sexist.”

Sky Sports presenter Michelle Owen said: “Let’s hope you’re not looking for punditry work if that coaching thing doesn’t work out…”

One fan said: “Laura Woods, Kelly Cates, Robyn Cowen , Betty Glover, Eilidh Barbour and Kelly Somers are a few of the best in the game.

“They know their football, they understand it fully in depth and are extremely knowledgeable and informative to listen to. This tweet is so wrong Joey.”

Another added: “Who is this clown?”

Barton is one of football’s most controversial characters, and served time in prison in 2008 for assault.