Joey Barton has repeatedly made disparaging and hostile remarks about the England women’s national team (the Lionesses) and women’s football more broadly. In the context of Euro 2025, he mocked their tournament win by belittling the trophy and using it to argue that women players should not receive equal pay with male footballers.

He has also run online polls and posted messages suggesting women’s football is not “proper” football and describing it in derogatory terms, which drew strong criticism from fans and commentators. In addition, his broader social‑media tirades have targeted former Lionesses such as Eni Aluko with abusive comparisons and sexist attacks, leading to public condemnation and discussion of possible legal action.