Multiple Women's Super League clubs have expressed anger following Tuesday's controversial League Cup draw, which was marred by sexual innuendos and procedural mishaps during a live TikTok broadcast.
Social media personality GK Barry, real name Grace Eleanor Keeling, conducted the quarter-final and semi-final draw alongside Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford, but the event quickly descended into chaos.
Clubs have formally requested access to video footage of the draw after concerns emerged about its execution.
The broadcast, which was exclusively streamed on WSL Football's TikTok channel, which has 900,000 followers, is no longer available for viewing on the platforms or YouTube channel.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The draw's validity came under scrutiny when Ms Keeling, 26, appeared to extract a numbered ball before inadvertently returning it to the bag whilst determining semi-final fixtures.
"Am I allowed to do that? I've done it now, it's too late," she remarked on camera, before retrieving what she claimed was the identical ball, adding: "Oh I picked up the same ball."
Officials present at the draw verified that the retrieved ball bore the same number as the one initially selected.
WSL Football said the entire process would have been restarted if a different number emerged.
Social media personality GK Barry conducted the quarter-final and semi-final draw alongside Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford
|TIKTOK
At least one participating club has formally demanded a review of the draw footage, according to BBC Sport.
WSL Football has issued a formal apology to Tottenham Hotspur following an inappropriate remark made during the draw.
When Ms Keeling extracted the ball bearing Tottenham's name, she asked "What do we think of Tottenham?" — a phrase commonly associated with an anti-Spurs chant favoured by Arsenal supporters.
The organisation acknowledged that the comment was unsuitable for the occasion.
LATEST SPORT NEWS
WSL Football has issued a formal apology to Tottenham Hotspur following an inappropriate remark made during the draw
|TIKTOK
WSL Football reportedly contacted Spurs directly to express regret over the incident.
The remark added to mounting criticism about the draw's professionalism, with viewers questioning whether the format was appropriate for an official competition draw.
The broadcast began with Ms Keeling making a crude remark before striking the ball bag against her posterior.
She said: "Give it a shake, a spank for luck."
The WSL has issued an apology
| PAThroughout the proceedings, Ms Keeling repeatedly questioned the quality of various teams and enquired about Liverpool and Chelsea's kit colours.
The draw concluded with the former Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! campmate making another sexual innuendo whilst referencing competition sponsor Subway.
When viewers complained about the broadcast's lack of on-screen graphics, Ms Keeling quipped that she needed a bigger budget.
WSL Football had recruited Ms Keeling, who has more than four million TikTok followers, to connect with younger demographics.
GK Barry and Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford are in a relationship
|GETTY
Fans took to social media to express their anger over the way the draw was conducted.
One wrote: "This was embarrassing and degrading to women’s football, so many amazing footballers out there. Let them have the privilege. Needs redoing it was so corrupt."
Another added: "Totally corrupt! The draw was a total farce!"
A third said: "If you're gonna do a draw, get professionals in, not silly c**** who think it's a joke and can't act professional."
GB News has contacted the WSL and a representative for Ms Keeling for a comment.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter