Anne Hegerty has discovered herself at loggerheads with GB Information common Adam Brooks on X after the pair mentioned Emma Hayes’ stint as an ITV pundit for this yr’s World Cup protection.
Ms Hayes has hit headlines all through the event to this point, and is at the moment on the centre of a “sexism” row after bosses positioned the revered soccer coach on a set resembling a kitchen.
Full with a chalkboard for her World Cup tactical evaluation segments, a number of viewers have questioned ITV bosses’ inventive selection.
The broadcaster has drawn criticism from viewers and media figures who query whether or not male pundits would obtain comparable therapy through the event.
Emma Hayes’ stint as an ITV pundit has hit headlines
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ITV
The 49-year-old coach, who secured 15 main trophies throughout her 12-year spell at Chelsea earlier than taking cost of the US ladies’s nationwide group, has been praised by followers for her commentary through the event.
Nonetheless, a few of Ms Hayes’ feedback have additionally made headlines for controversial causes through the event, notably these made after Cape Verde’s exceptional goalless draw towards European champions Spain of their Group H opener.
Anne Hegerty has defended Hayes’ involvement
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GETTYThe African nation, one of many smallest international locations ever to qualify for a World Cup, produced a disciplined defensive show to frustrate Luis de la Fuente’s aspect in Atlanta.
Ms Hayes praised the group’s organisation and resolve, stating: “Not at any second did they soar out of areas within the unsuitable moments, they caught to their process, they have been disciplined, they have been aggressive, they’d superb transition moments.”
She then added: “It is a victory for immigration and for the standard of a group that has been put collectively from all around the world that’s representing their crest. It wasn’t a lucky end result; it was properly earned.”
Critics felt Ms Hayes’ determination to show the end result into an commercial for “immigration” was an pointless political stand.
Adam Brooks has criticised ITV’s appointment
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With a lot dialog surrounding Ms Hayes’ time as an ITV pundit, GB Information contributor Adam took to X to disclose he’d had sufficient.
The pub proprietor fumed: “Why the f*** do we now have a girl coach from the ladies’s sport telling us about England males’s soccer ways?!! Why?!!! @itvfootball #england #EngCro.”
Amongst those that fired again at Adam was none aside from The Chase star, Ms Hegerty.
The quizmaster fired again: “As a result of the ladies’s group has a greater file than the boys’s group?”
Emma Hayes supplied evaluation from a weird set throughout England’s World Cup win over Croatia | ITVAdam defended his place, describing the 2 as “fully totally different video games”, and he wasn’t alone in criticising Ms Hegerty’s place.
“Please cease… simply cease. The ladies’s group would lose to most beginner sides. Completely different world,” one other X consumer.
However Ms Hegerty stood agency, utilizing Tennis as an apt analogy. “I do know that. However we have had Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams commenting on males’s tennis,” she stated in response.
Following a wave of additional complaints, Ms Hegerty continued to face her floor and dismiss critics.
As soon as extra for the folks on the again. The variations between males’s and girls’s sports activities are variations in what the BODIES can DO. They don’t seem to be essentially variations in what the BRAINS UNDERSTAND.
— Anne Hegerty (@anne_hegerty) June 18, 2026
“Sorry, are you able to level me to the place I prompt the ladies’s group may beat the boys’s group, merely as a result of I prompt a ladies’s coach may have some helpful insights? #england,” she stated to the suggestions.
And he or she additionally hit out at “idiots” who, she claimed, missed the purpose of her preliminary publish.
“Simply reminding all you soccer idiots that Amelie Mauresmo wouldn’t have been capable of beat Andy Murray at tennis. Doesn’t suggest she could not COACH him at tennis,” she stated.
And he or she doubled down additional on Thursday afternoon, saying in one other X publish: “As soon as extra for the folks on the again. The variations between males’s and girls’s sports activities are variations in what the BODIES can DO. They don’t seem to be essentially variations in what the BRAINS UNDERSTAND.” (sic)
