Concerns Arise Over Women’s League Cup Draw Process

Chelsea currently holds the title of Women’s League Cup champions.

WSL Football has been requested to provide footage of Tuesday’s Women’s League Cup quarter-final and semi-final draw due to concerns regarding the process.

The draw was conducted live on WSL Football’s TikTok channel by social media influencer GK Barry and Portsmouth midfielder Ella Rutherford. However, it raised eyebrows when a ball was allegedly pulled from the bag, dropped back in, and subsequently drawn again for the event.

The adjudicator present at the draw confirmed that the ball, which indicated one of the home sides in the first semi-final matchup, was indeed the same number initially drawn. WSL Football clarified that if it had not been the same number drawn a second time, the draw would have been restarted.

One of the clubs involved in the draw has requested to review the footage, which is currently unavailable on social media or WSL Football’s official YouTube channel.

In a related matter, BBC Sport reports that WSL Football has issued an apology to Tottenham regarding a comment made by GK Barry during the draw. While pulling out a ball with Tottenham’s name, Barry asked, “What do we think of Tottenham?” referring to an anti-Spurs chant often sung by Arsenal fans. This remark has raised concerns about the professionalism of the draw, prompting WSL Football to address the inappropriateness of the comment.

The quarter-final matches are scheduled to take place over the weekend of December 19-21, while the semi-finals are set for January 21-22.

The matchups for the quarter-finals include:
– Liverpool vs. Chelsea
– Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
– Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
– West Ham United vs. Manchester City

Potential semi-final pairings are:
– Crystal Palace/Arsenal vs. Manchester United/Tottenham Hotspur
– West Ham United/Manchester City vs. Liverpool/Chelsea

Additionally, Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie return for another season of the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds. Extra content and interviews from the Women’s Super League can also be found on the Women’s Football Weekly feed.

For the latest updates on the WSL, visit our dedicated page.