Joey Barton has been the subject of more criticism after taking to social media to downplay England’s incredible Women’s Euro 2025 win on Sunday night. The bitter ex-Premier League footballer ruffled feathers again as he shared his latest unfavourable opinion of women’s football after the Lionesses roared in Basel, Switzerland.
England led for just four minutes and 52 seconds during the entire knockout stage to retain their Euros crown in stunning style. Sarina Wiegman’s side also clawed back from a goal down in the final to draw 1-1 with Spain before Chloe Kelly scored the winner, again, in the penalty shoot-out.
The Lionesses became the first England team to win a major trophy on foreign soil in the latest success of Wiegman’s golden era.
However, Barton was not impressed. Rather than congratulating the team for making the country proud once more, he took a characteristically more cynical approach.
“Well done to the Lionesses for winning the Nonsense Pottery Trophy,” Barton wrote on X, dismissing the achievement.
“Those penalties were borderline embarrassing again. Do not ever ask for equal pay again. Youse are miles off it.”
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The former Manchester City and Newcastle United midfielder’s actions represented his latest cry for attention on social media after the Lionesses’ historic triumph against Spain.
Beth Mead and Leah Williamson’s spot-kicks were saved by Catalina Coll, but Alex Greenwood, Niamh Charles and Kelly made no mistake.
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made herself a hero in her own right, saving penalties from Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati before Salma Paralluelo fired wide.
Barton also aimed his bizarre negativity towards Keir Starmer ahead of kick-off after his message of support, telling the UK Prime Minister to “do one”.
After managerial stints at Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers, Barton has taken up an outspoken social media pundit persona.
His pinned post on X is a poll, posting the question: “Are you a ‘Bad Person’ for thinking ‘Women’s Football is S***e’?”
Barton’s previous backlash-attracting comments about women’s football have included a claim that females are “not qualified” to talk about the men’s game because “they have no authority on the subject”.
“I’m bothered about the female footballers who aren’t good enough players to comment on the male players because they don’t understand the game,” he wrote on X in 2023.
“They are taking men’s jobs that are good enough. They are taking their opportunities. Taking food out of their families’ mouths when those men have done the hard yards.”