The Women’s League Cup draw has received backlash from WSL clubs and fans alike following “crude” remarks by TikTok influencer GK Barry, who also mistakenly put a ball back in the bag.
GK Barry conducted the draw for the League Cup quarter and semi-finals alongside partner and Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford.
It was streamed on TikTok with GK Barry selecting the balls and Rutherford revealing the teams.
The draw was an attempt to appeal to younger fans and reach new audiences. However, just like the failed Sky Sports Halo project, it has left existing fans frustrated, and WSL clubs reportedly furious.
Why has there been backlash to the Women’s League Cup draw?
The Subway Women’s League Cup draw descended into chaos after TikTok influencer GK Barry made a number of innuendos and mistakenly placed a ball back into the bag.
At the start, Barry commented about “lesbians handling balls” and later joked about Subway’s footlong sandwiches, saying: “Even if you’re a lesbian, get a footlong.”
She also smacked the bag holding the draw balls against her backside, adding: “Give it a shake, a spank for luck.”
The Athletic, meanwhile, have reported that the WSL have apologised to Tottenham after Barry referred to an anti-Spurs chant used by Arsenal fans, asking: “What do we think of Tottenham?”
TikTok star Barry also joked that she didn’t know how the draw worked and asked what colours Liverpool and Chelsea play in.
During the draw, Barry pulled a ball out of the bag, before placing it back in the bag. She then pulled it back out, revealing Tottenham’s number. She asked on camera whether she could so, before saying: “I’ve done it now, it’s too late. Oh I picked up the same ball.”
An adjudicator at the draw confirmed that the same ball was selected so the draw didn’t need to be restarted. However, the BBC have reported that the WSL have asked for the League Cup draw footage, as it is currently unavailable other than clips that were shared on social media.
SheKicks has approached the WSL for a comment on the draw.
i mean i saw this on tiktok pic.twitter.com/E7h9DlzQRx
— gooooooooner 🏆🏆 (@lessisbackheelx) November 25, 2025
League Cup draw receives backlash on social media
The draw has received backlash from women’s football fans on social media.
FWLS Jono highlighted the draw came after the “disaster of Sky Sports Halo” before adding: “Is this really the way for women’s football to be taken seriously? One step forward, two back.”
@Bristol187 added: “It was so embarrassing and should never have happened. Needs to be redone.”
Emily Keogh commented: “There are plenty of knowledgeable people in and around women’s football who wouldn’t say multiple times, ‘I don’t know what any of that means, ‘ or ‘are they good?’ or ask what colour a team wears … feels like the League dropped a ball with this one.”
@bex_0990 said GK Barry and Rutherford should not be blamed, writing: “The fact it was shown on a TikTok live says it all really. It’s not Grace and Ella’s fault; they were being their usual selves, which has its place and is fun. It was just not professional enough and undermines all the work being done; it’s another sky halo instance, I think.”
Donna Jones in response to @bex_0990 said: “Neither can I. Whilst I like Grace and Ella – that draw is….. it’s taking a million steps backwards.”
Who is TikTok star GK Barry?
TikTok star GK Barry, real name Grace Keeling, is a popular influencer on the social media platform with over four million followers.
Barry joined the cast of Loose Women in 2024 and was also in the twenty-fourth series of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, where she finished in fifth place.
She has also done acting and in September started her third tour of the UK titled: “Saving Grace: Jungle Fever Tour.”
The 26-year-old is in a relationship with Portsmouth’s Rutherford, with the latter confirming the relationship in a birthday message on Instagram in August 2024.
