Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill blasts NI football manager’s comments ‘totally unacceptable’

Northern Ireland boss Shiels has apologised after claiming that female teams concede goals in clusters because they are “more emotional than men”.

Asked about the contentious remarks while on the Assembly election campaign trail in north Belfast on Wednesday, Ms O’Neill said: “I think the reality of life is that we live in a society that’s very misogynistic and that comes whether you’re in politics, whether you’re in sport, whether you’re in business – there are issues that need to be tackled and challenged.

“I was aghast when I read those comments, I thought that was totally unacceptable for anyone in a position of leadership to make that type of commentary.

“I think that women participate in politics, in sport, in business and every aspect of life and they bring their own skill set to that job and that should be something that’s very much welcomed and never used against them.

“Women are passionate, they’re strong, they’re determined, they’re educated, they want to do the right thing by their community and that’s something that I think that they should keep on doing, so to all the women out there: keep her lit.”

Shiels’ comments came after he had seen his side concede four goals inside 27 second-half minutes during Tuesday night’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier defeat by England in Belfast, prompting criticism to which he responded on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement, he said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.

“Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country.

“I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”

Northern Ireland boss Kenny Shiels apologises for women ‘more emotional than men’ comment