TikTok influencer GK Barry has broken her silence after she received criticism following a Women’s League Cup draw back in November.
She conducted the draw on TikTok for the League Cup quarter and semi-finals alongside partner and Portsmouth player Ella Rutherford.
The draw received backlash from WSL clubs and fans alike. Now she has looked back at the criticism she received, while speaking to Loose Women co-presenter, Olivia Attwood, on the Olivia’s House podcast.
GK Barry breaks silence on League Cup draw criticism
GK Barry told Attwood she had no idea that the Subway Women’s League Cup draw was such a “serious event”.
Reflecting on her comments during the draw, she said: “I started off, my opening line was, ‘Bit of fun, lesbian fondling with some balls’.
“I mean, you can’t expect me not to say it. And then I ended it with, ‘And even if you’re a lesbian, get yourself a footlong’.
“But people apparently didn’t find that funny. If you’re hiring me, come on.”
Barry added that she receives hate online but not in person, but felt like “everybody hated” her
She said: “I felt like, ‘Everyone hates me’ and I actually can’t pop to the shops for a pint of milk. Someone’s gonna hit me.
“But not because of the fame, because of the hate. Best believe I’ll watch every [hate] video. I’ll look at every comment and be like, ‘They’re right.’”
what on earth 😭 pic.twitter.com/90IDsvIrc1
— siobhan (@muwfcsiobhan) November 25, 2025
What happened in the League Cup draw?
WSL clubs were furious over the League Cup draw, after Barry made several innuendos.
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 WSL reportedly apologised to Tottenham after Barry asked: “What do we think of Tottenham?” – in reference to Arsenal’s chant about their rivals.
Also during the draw, Barry pulled a ball out of the bag, before placing it back inside. She then pulled it back out, revealing Tottenham’s number.
An adjudicator at the draw confirmed that the same ball was selected so the draw didn’t need to be restarted.
The draw was an attempt to appeal to younger fans and reach new audiences. However, just like the failed Sky Sports Halo project, it left existing fans frustrated.
