A former TV host has been branded a 'dinosaur' after he shared a sexist meme on social media during Emma Hayes' tactical analysis of the World Cup.
Sexism Storm Surrounds Emma Hayes
Emma Hayes was at the centre of a sexism storm. The ITV pundit was back on TV screens on Wednesday evening as she offered her view on the tactical side of England's 4-2 win over Croatia in Arlington, Texas. However, Hayes was asked to do her tactical analysis on a chalkboard in a set that looked like a kitchen, according to some fans.
Elton Welsby, one of the best-known football presenters in the 1980s and 1990s, hosting ITV's coverage and as the face of Granada sport for 22 years until he left in 2000, made this claim on social media as he shared an edited photo of Hayes using the chalkboard to write a shopping list.
Backlash Against Welsby
'Absolute dinosaur. No wonder your not on TV anymore,' one fan replied. As another said: 'Sexism alive and well. Shameful...'
'I'd rather listen to her - or any female pundit - than Elton Welsby,' a third shared. While a fourth responded: 'Casual misogyny is it?'
And another added: 'This Emma Hayes discourse is so boring, how in 2026 some of you find misogynistic memes about women being in the kitchen is funny, super low intelligence behaviour.'
Welsby's Response
The former TV star then added: 'I thought she spoke very well and her illustrations were accurate. BUT...done no favours by ITV with the blackboard. It looked ridiculous.'
Hayes, a respected manager in the women's game who has led Chelsea and the USWNT, has been praised by colleagues for her analysis of the game. Dan Walker posted: 'I really like Emma Hayes and I think she's an insightful pundit. I'm not sure why they have decided to make it look like she's writing the specials on a bistro chalkboard.'
Presenter Cristo Foufas shared a clip of the segment and questioned whether ITV had got the presentation wrong. He said: 'I'm not sure ITV are massively advancing the idea of women's equality in football by having Emma Hayes give her analysis from a set which looks like she's stuck in a kitchen?'
A source, speaking about the set-up, told the Daily Mail it was 'hugely embarrassing' for ITV. 'Can you imagine ITV putting Gary Neville on a set like that? No chance that would happen,' they added.
