NI boss Kenny Shiels apologises for women ‘more emotional than men’ comment

Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels’ has apologised after his claim that female teams concede goals in clusters because they are “more emotional than men” was labelled “very unhelpful”.

Shiels’ comments came after he had seen his side concede four goals inside 27 second-half minutes during Tuesday night’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier defeat by England in Belfast, prompting criticism to which he responded on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, he said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.

I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.

I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.- Northern Ireland Women manager Kenny Shiels

“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country.

“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”

Yvonne Harrison, chief executive at Women in Football, had earlier said she felt like the clock had been turned back “30 years” after hearing Shiels’ remarks.

She told the PA news agency: “I was disappointed, I was quite shocked. Hearing a man talking about women being too emotional in this day and age, I just felt like I’d gone back 30 years, to be perfectly honest with you.

“But I caveat that with his team had just been beaten 5-0 by a very strong Lionesses team and that’s not easy to take, and you’ve got all the media on