Football legend Micky Quinn has defended Joey Barton's controversial criticism of the Lionesses' penalty-taking performance during their Euro 2025 quarter-final victory over Sweden.
Speaking on GB News, Quinn backed Barton's assessment, stating: "The penalties were absolutely pathetic. I have watched some women's football and obviously with it being England, you get invested."
He went further with his criticism, adding: "The way they took them penalties, I think my dog could have taken better penalties and he's blind in one eye!"
Quinn acknowledged Barton's tendency to provoke debate, saying: "You mentioned Joey Barton stirring the pot, that's a big pot to stir. His criticism was very harsh because they got through, but anyone tuning into those penalties would switch the telly off."
PA / GB NEWS
|Micky Quinn criticised penalties taken by the Lionesses
When presenter Dawn Neesom suggested his comments sounded "a bit sexist", Quinn firmly rejected the accusation.
"Why? It's not sexist at all," he responded. "I've been getting involved. I've been watching Newcastle United women's. The women's game is evolving."
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He emphasised his support for women's football, stating: "It's improving all the time. It's not sexist, those penalties were pathetic."
Quinn maintained that his criticism was specifically about the penalty performance rather than women's football generally. "It wasn't the best time if someone switched on for them because the girl's didn't know what they were doing," he said.
GBNEWS
|Micky Quinn joined Dawn Neesom on GB News
Despite his harsh assessment of the penalties, Quinn acknowledged the team's achievement: "It was off the back of a good performance, being 2-0. They're through to a semi-final. I will take that as an England fan."
Barton's original comments came after England's dramatic penalty shootout victory, with the former midfielder posting on social media: "Worst pens ever! Don't ask for equal pay. Youse are c*** at footy."
He later described the match as a "monstrosity" and claimed the penalties showed "insufficient leg power", adding: "These imposters are asking for the same money and privileges as the men."
His remarks prompted a swift response from broadcasting veteran Jeff Stelling, who challenged Barton's criticism. When Barton claimed he had switched off due to the poor quality, Stelling retorted: "The shot appeared to hit the back of the net."
England complete inspiring comeback with chaotic shoot-out victory over SwedenBarton doubled down, replying: "I did Jeff. That's how bad it was. You can't tell me that's proper football. It's pure cosplay nonsense...And YOU know it!"
The controversy emerged following England's remarkable comeback against Sweden on Thursday, where they recovered from 2-0 down to force a penalty shootout. Goals from Lucy Bronze and Michelle Agyemang in quick succession levelled the match.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton became the hero with two penalty saves in a dramatic shootout that saw nine penalties missed in total. Former Lioness goalkeeper Karen Bardsley described one of Hampton's saves as "unbelievable".
The victory secured England's place in the semi-finals against Italy on Tuesday, keeping their hopes of retaining their European crown alive.
Social media users quickly reminded Barton of his own penalty miss for Manchester City against Aston Villa in 2007, when he ballooned his effort over the crossbar. Swedish goalkeeper Jennifer Falk also criticised her own missed penalty, describing it as "f** c*".