Soccer

Northern Ireland captain Marrisa Callaghan says team backs manager Kenny Shiels after comments on women

Marissa Callaghan has backed manager Kenny Shiels
Marissa Callaghan has backed manager Kenny Shiels

Northern Ireland Women's captain Marissa Callaghan has spoken up in support of manager Kenny Shiels after his post-match comments caused controversy this week.

Speaking after his side's 5-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to England at Windsor Park on Tuesday night, Shiels said "women are emotional than men". The 65-year-old apologised for his comments on Wednesday.

Callaghan, who played in Tuesday's match, issued a statement on social media which said: "In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager.

"We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed."

Callaghan added that Shiels "is a man of integrity who cares for us like a family."

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  
Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels was criticised after saying that women footballers are "more emotional than men". Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire