People are making too big a deal out of this. I 100% get Emma's point. She definitely could have used better language to express what she wanted to say but at the end of the day the take away is pretty clear: Work place (player, player) relationships add an additional layer of complexity to team and club dynamics especially when there is a lack of codes of conduct (which many WSL clubs do in fact lack). To the comments about her players being hurt by what she said: we're all adults and have different opinions. Your boss will never be 100% approving of how you live your life and tbh your boss's opinion should not matter nor affect you. As far as I can tell, it doesn't seem that Emma has every retaliated or treated one of her players poorly because they are in a relationship with a team mate. She seems to be the kind of manager that genuinely supports her players despite personally differences (which I am certain exist).

I think she couple have said player/player relationships can make it more difficult or complicated but the word inappropriate seams to be comparing the coach/player relationship, where a power imbalance pretty much dissolves consent and can hurt the players career. It also makes it seem like to players being in a relationship is wrong and they are doing something they shouldn’t be.

@santiagomerlot

2 ай бұрын

If your there to coach or practice, falling in love is not why your there.

Just playing devil's advocate here but "problematic" doesn't always mean it's not doable. It just makes things more complicated, sure, but not necessarily not doable. As long as players keep it professional and have boundaries between personal life and the job when at the office, it seems kosher and might even result in better team chemistry, look at Arsenal over the years. How many couples have they had at any one time? Seems to have helped their tight knit dynamic. On another note; How ya like them socks?

@alansmithee8831

2 ай бұрын

@rasclotify. I commented on Sky that it was time for reversible socks, but if some company manufactured them, I claimed the rights.

I think from a managerial standpoint, players on the same team in a romantic relationship, CAN be detrimental to a team. Not in the good times, but when things go sour. It can divide a team. One camp backs one teammate, while the other backs the other. Then, there can be leverage with a star player not only bartering for their own contracts, but also for their partners, whether it's transfers, increased salaries, playing time, and so forth. So I can see her point. Not all relationships end amicably. Not all people react to change positively. Not all players are stand up human beings who can separate what's good for the club over their personal vendettas against those they perceived as the ones who did them wrong. Workplace romance, I'm sorry, almost never works out. They do nothing to solidify a team, but can do irreparable harm to the cohesion of a team, especially if things do not work out. One person is almost always forced out to try to stem the damage. I don't think it has anything to do with sexual orientation, but more so with the realities of break ups. I believe that's what Emma was alluding to

@temitopeadeyemi6555

2 ай бұрын

Perfect...succinct...example of this is RUESHA N KATIE

@caroljacobsen3596

2 ай бұрын

As Emma said in the post match press conference, she should be more experienced in avoiding “click bait” journalism. She also regretted the use of “inappropriate” with player to player relationships. BUT, she did not take back the reference., which was justified. After all, she has experienced that issue over the years. Certainly there are exceptions, but it does cause problems as has been demonstrated recently.

@caroljacobsen3596

2 ай бұрын

@@temitopeadeyemi6555 Actually more so the Arsenal situation concerning 3 players.

@tstwahine

2 ай бұрын

Completely agree.

@littlecat9413

2 ай бұрын

​@temitopeadeyemi6555 sometime u can see Lucy bronze and Keira Walsh... ai ... and fans also hate lucy with Ona batlle

I understand what emma hayes was trying to say but with all respect they are adults and a football team is not a secondary school I'm sure they know the difference between business and pleasure I mean look at the likes of beth mead and viv miedema they are still doing well for their clubs their dating life is not your business

You made a very good point about the large lesbian fanbase that women's football has; for many of those fans, including yourselves, the player relationships are an important part of the women's game. I think it's great that gay players are able to be open about their sexuality (which would be very difficult in men's football). Emma Hayes really needs to acknowledge that fanbase and that "culture". Mead and Miedema are positive role models who are out and proud; society would be so much better if it was more like women's football. Relationships between coaches and players are unacceptable though. Jonathan Morgan was sacked from Sheffield Utd Women's team when they found out about his secret relationship with a player at a former club (Leicester City), which started when she was seventeen and he was in his late twenties; the girl's mother accused Morgan of predatory behaviour. He is also alleged to have bullied Maddy Cusack, a player who took her own life last year.

@kizzyfarrell6156

2 ай бұрын

Best comment on here

@mikejames6664

2 ай бұрын

​@@kizzyfarrell6156 Thank you, Kizzy.

@santiagomerlot

2 ай бұрын

There are alot of coaches who have sex with their players..and vice versa. She was brave bringing it into the light.

I think the assumption there are skeletons in Hayes' closet is BS to be honest. Relationships between players in the same team are commonplace in women's football and that won't change. The language Emma Hayes used was inappropriate and somewhat shocking, you can't outlaw relationships, just because they are with work colleagues. I even thought for a moment she might be trying to distract everyone from the recent Sam Kerr incident. Sometimes they might be advantageous, Bronze and Walsh's understanding on the pitch for team and country for many years for example. I agree with Emma Hayes they can cause a number of difficulties though, such as contract lengths, player selection and team dynamics and they are probably a real headache to manage at times. The old adage of keeping everything professional is not so easy when personal feelings come into it. Mewis and Daly's breakup, where they could barely look at each other on the pitch + Lehmann deciding not to play for her country at the Euros after her relationship with Bachmann finished are examples. When Arsenal recently had at least 4 couples in their squad it must have been fairly difficult to keep on top of as a manager. Hayes has climbed back on her comments and it certainly hasn't affected Chelsea, who remain in primes position to win the WSL and are still in all 4 competitions. She is very good at uniting and gelling players, so I see this as a blip rather than as a comment which will affect her or her standing with the USA in the long term.

Leicester is pronounced "Lester". The NWSL has had several issues with coaches using their power to force relationships with some of their players. Portland Thorns specifically have had multiple coaches and administrators that have used their position to force players into relationships. As far as player to player, if they are on the same team that can be an issue, especially if one of those players is the captain and has a say in how the team is put together in matches. Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis shouldn't be an issue since they aren't on the same team. But multiple couples on the same team can cause discord. It's the same thing that happens in other businesses.

The reason why she spoke up about player relationships is because she's leaving. Those feelings lived in her, and finally she took the opportunity to speak her opinion. Women in these positions should learn to support women. Instead, they lean into patriarchal beliefs. If I played for her, I'd sabotage her. Adults being human beings, have feelings, that are difficult to put to sleep. Emma needs to get a life.❤

@danielebowman

2 ай бұрын

Those feelings can also be between coaches and players, but it's still inappropriate in certain professional settings. We point this out due to the power dynamic, however imagine a long term club captain and a brand new young player. There's also a huge power dynamic there. Captains can have more power within the team than some assistant coaches. In Cricket they more power than coaches often. I'm not sure I think inter-team relationships should be banned, but I think Emma Hayes comments have huge merit.

@santiagomerlot

2 ай бұрын

Adults can control their feelings and not let them develop.

@christineclatot5352

2 ай бұрын

USA players are now informed of Emma Hayes thinking !!!!!!!!!!! good luck.....

Did either of you think that she has been open with her players on her feelings towards the issues that can arise when relationships get difficult when in the same team? Her team played outstanding last night and there were no issues so I think her players already knew her opinion.

@temitopeadeyemi6555

2 ай бұрын

This is the comment I have been looking for...facts....

@Jo.Math.Richar

2 ай бұрын

Great comment, completely agree with you. Emma makes a fair point and is nothing but open, respectful and professional. I hope she doesn’t have to change herself for the Americans

Maybe its a point! and shes had more of enough experience dealing with that scenario while being a manager with players as couples to know the effect it can have on a team!

My opinion for what its worth is that player player relationships are appropriate -when everything is going well but if thesplit up occurs while both are still playing for the same team then that can lead to problems. If its not mutual the one who gets the heave ho could be very upset and not play well or take time off and other players could have to take sides. Especially if one of those who wants to spilt up then goes out with another team mate. Its happened at Arsenal and if you havent noticed that you are burying your head in the sand

Hello Sarah and Sara. I have always avoided relationships at work, thinking it might get awkward. However, when two colleagues obviously fell for each other, everyone was pleased for them. You can imagine believing one thing for yourself, but not judging others for thinking differently. Note there are partners on the same team for Arsenal too. Was there a bit of mischief here? Arsenal looked distracted and Chelsea looked very focused. There was a great assessment pre match, on an Irish sports podcast, of how Chelsea would rush Arsenal and how this would make them crumble under pressure. I predict Emma picking a US team of players who focus on winning, doing exactly what they are told, ignoring anything else but her way of working and being told to shut up or clear off. This could put her comment in context? She is proud of being British working class. I would compare it to how someone of her background is unlikely to be in favour of tipping, seeing it as "crumbs from the gentleman's plate", yet might be the best tipper on a trip to US, seeing things are different for folk elsewhere. P.S. I wrote this before seeing Emma's post match press conference. I recommend it. Check out a certain goal description.

@santiagomerlot

2 ай бұрын

Her british 'working class mentality' wont be on show over in America. The players will not understand let alone the public.

@alansmithee8831

2 ай бұрын

@@santiagomerlot I spent three months in US and know that many Americans tend to expect a posh kind of British person, they assume to be a bit of a push over. If you need to see an example, look at the "drinking tea" goal celebration from USA v England World Cup semi final. I got frequently mistaken for Irish in US, I assume because I was not like the stereotype.

@ifootballgirl

2 ай бұрын

@@alansmithee8831 Who knows how it/she will be perceived in America. She has worked there before, so she knows the vibe of the league. I think the political climate and its use of women's sports might be an issue. In soccer the coaches don't really voice their opinions compared to 'football' coaches. In football we focus on results rather than use the game as a political vehicle. We'll see.

@alansmithee8831

2 ай бұрын

@@ifootballgirlShe has an advantage of being British to say she is just there to win football matches and leave the politics at the door. I hope she will win over opinion by spreading football out to all US kids to draw on a bigger talent pool. She seemed to suggest that in an interview I saw. This seems to have been Gareth Southgate's approach and it has brought the England men's squad closer and talented players have come through, whatever you think of him as a manager.

@ifootballgirl

2 ай бұрын

I hope so. Wish her all the best. There is alot of money involved in the sport now.@@alansmithee8831

as expected, she has now walked back her comments, after the backlash but its clear to me Emma Hayes comes from the generation where "out and proud" was an alien concept. She was just 5 years old when the ban on women's football was lifted. I think player-coach relationships are the bigger problem, especially after all the abuse cases in the NWSL. I didn't watch Chelsea-Arsenal but I love all the sock jokes/memes that came out of it. 😆😂🤣

I don't think she is anti-LGBT. If this was a mix-gender league, that comment would not be controversial. Many companies have policies against workplace relationships. Truth is, relationships between players can absolutely be a distraction, especially if there is a break-up or god forbid if after a breakup the players hooked up with a different teammate causing hostility within the team. It's a complication that I think she thinks should be avoided. I feel like this is being completely blown out of proportion.

@canuckgirl1624

2 ай бұрын

Agreed that it can be a distraction. But Hayes’ poor choice of wording is inexcusable.

I can understand Emma’s concerns and what points she was trying to make. I see her trying to create teams that have indomitable iron walls, where the player’s distractions are being reduced and there are less rogue variables that could derail any one player. Same team relationships happen and they can be positive; they can also be disastrous if say the players are going through a massive heartbreak and cannot separate professional vs personal life. I think we are all assume players are robots that can compartmentalize but the reality is that we are all human. No one can. Your heart is your heart and even if you are disconnected and dissociated from a breakup with your teammate it’s still there energy wise. Now imagine having two top tier players in a relationship going through a huge breakup right before or during a World Cup. I think Emma is thinking more nuanced and just genuinely wants to reduce these types of situations and I don’t blame her. She ends up needing to move beyond the coaching parameters of her job and then deal with big feelings and emotions. I think in an ideal world we want to say these are professional players, respect them, let them live. But I also know that people are humans and humans have souls, and things can get messy and that can definitely impact the game. I see all sides but I totally understand where she’s coming from. Folks also mentioned how players that date want to come as a package and will leave as a package. Emma may see that as also inappropriate or problematic and I also don’t blame her. She’s here to coach, not being a therapist when shit hits the fan. No one should. And, shit happens. Yes, the queer culture of women’s soccer definitively has value but as a queer fan, I don’t need my players on the same team. I also don’t want two players going through a huge breakup before or during a major tournament that could make the wheels a little wobbily. My 2 cents!

These are disappointing remarks by Emma Hayes. While I do understand that coach-player relationships might cause a problem due to power differences, player-player relationships are usually not a problem, except in a case of a breakup. She might still have her own feelings on Magda and Pernille leaving Chelsea together. it, however, doesnt seem to have weakened Chelsea, which is still leading the WSL after an important 3:1 victory against Arsenal.

I understand why she said it, I can see how it can be a problem. Maybe behind the scenes she has seen issues occur because of it, but like Sara said, she actually brought up the player relationships, why bring it up now other than she's leaving and she can. It will be interesting to see how she is with the US team. I still like her coaching the team.

Emma’s right. They are professionals but with emotions. Human emotions are unpredictable, not EVERYONE can keep it intact. Internal relationships are a distraction, no matter how hard they try to keep it professional. She’d rather not deal with it. Her rules. She’s learning from prior situations, obviously it was difficult to mange.

I think women’s sports is much more progressive and that means coaches, owners, whoever has to deal with that difference. Player to player relationships shouldn’t be an issue and if players are affecting the team then those specific players should be spoken to or dealt with. Obviously coach to player relationships are a big no for well known reasons. Emma doesn’t seem to have a perfect track record so maybe she should think a little more about what she says.

I really do think emma hayes has crossed the line with the player /player comment. Big fan of emma hayes Now, she is going to have to cope with the backlash of that comment Now, people are going to dig into her personal life that the way the media works Emma know that so why say it Also, it is very disrespectful to jess carter and ann berger, two of her long standing player who have been loyal to her and have been at club i believe still 2018 Not on

I think people have taken this story out of context from what Emma said..she means like example harder and magda they come lime a package deal so if you loose one you loose both and those kind of things is what i think shr meant.. basically its a problem for the club and coaches too..thats how some of us took that statament

I agree with her because we are human and feelings and emotions come into play when one of the couples aren’t getting along or broke up. Then the team has to deal with all that crap instead of the team and game .

on the field, all players are TEAMMATES.... off the field, everybody does what they want !!! in case of relationships problems, the head coach may say something as he/she is reponsible for the games !

@cathyg7767

2 ай бұрын

That would be the ideal, however romantic feelings are not that cut and dried. Also when things go tits up the whole team might suffer, not just the couple who are separating. Best to just keep everything fully professional I think.

@christineclatot5352

2 ай бұрын

OK !, but you never know when you fall in love .....@@cathyg7767

She should have kept her reply very short in reply to that question….A big error, by someone who is usually a great defender of womens football, in all its aspects. I expect she realised how divisive, as soon as she had spoken… and in fact it showed very clearly on her face….There are no end of player/player couples in womens football…and I haven’t heard of any discord in teams about it….The women are primarily teamates and very professional and focused. !!!…

Player to player relationship on the same team is one thing.......but player to player relationship on two different teams is quite another........to me its not quite clear which of the two relationship is Emma referring to? Player to player relationship on the same team is an in house issue for a coach/gm.......but player to player relationship on two different teams, is a huge issue.......accusations will never stop, no matter how true/untrue they are......that is a never ending scandal no matter what is the outcome.....Emma might have had that on her mind in this story. The real question is.... does a coach/GM has any authority to take drastic measures against a player who might have an intimate relationship with another player on a different team in case suspicions arise? if not, why not?......I wonder what are the opinions of fans on this forum on this matter?

shes rolled back on it now .. ill be honest i think (just my opinion ) shes just on about difficulties with managing these relationships within the club

Honestly strictly speaking as a coach she's right. It can be difficult to navigate and saying she wishes she didn't have to deal with that is understandable. She's there to deal with FOOTBALL and winning Championships,she's not there to be a counselor. The word 'inappropriate' was bad, I totally agree she should NOT have used that word because it made it seem as if she was alining the coach-player and player-player dynamic as the same (which it is NOT) but she DID explained herself and so I agree. As to why she brought it up, maybe she's having to deal with relationship crap within the team at present when her attention should be focused on FOOTBALL. And before anyone gets hot, I am a lesbian.

It's interesting how quickly people can grasp the inappropriate nature of player-manager relationships but go completely the other way when it's player-to-player. They are practically the same thing in so far as when there are problems (whether contractual or personal) between the parties things can get unnecessarily awkward. Presenting managers with additional problems when they have enough problems just doing the job to be getting on with. That's what Emma Hayes is talking about.

It was a strange comment to make, particularly as it was unprompted and stepping away from the question of coach/player relationships. If she said it can sometimes bring up extra issues to manage in the dressing room when a relationship turns sour, I could see that point, but to say player-player relationships are simply “inappropriate” seemed…..inappropriate! She’s always seemed quite straight talking so I’m assuming there was an honest conversation with the players about what she said. It certainly didn’t seem to affect anyone’s focus on the night of the match as they were really up for the game. I don’t really want to criticise her too much after everything she’s done for the game. One thing I haven’t always liked is that she’s often said she wants the women’s game to become more like the men’s game, which, on the whole, I think would mostly be a bad thing. Perhaps her comment relates to that way of thinking? It was a sour note on what was otherwise a great Friday evening (except for the result if you’re an Arsenal fan). It was great for the WSL to see two teams having such a healthy rivalry and attracting so many fans on both sides. Chelsea dealt with the genuine worry of Arsenal fans out-singing them in their own stadium by blasting out music until kick-off at a level that probably had a few neighbours complaining, and then announcing only the Chelsea team before kick-off, and not mentioning the Arsenal players so that no one could cheer their names! If Arsenal went ahead, that would have changed the atmosphere but as soon as Lauren James scored so early, it looked like Chelsea’s night. In a way, it was the complete opposite of the game at The Emirates, as if the teams had swapped roles. I have to mention that it’s good to see Basil in your video!

Emma already apologised for her statement. She said in the post game press conference 'inappropriate' was a poor choice of words on her part regarding teammates in relationships.

I think what Emma said makes perfect sense. She is coming at this as a manager and the challenges this might bring. Football is a huge business and romantic affairs have no place in this environment. Also I think the women's game would benefit greatly from less player to player noise.

Workplace relationships obviously are different than if you don't have one. Need some HR basics - applied to sports. But just why would you compare these two types of relationships? Edit: Also there can be drama with romantic relationships but when has there not been drama with platonic relationships in sports? Teams constantly have issues with player dynamics. If it's a team sport this will be part of it.

From a managerial point of view, it makes it harder to control a locker room. It creates unnecessary tensions and complexities that otherwise would not exist. She is not wrong.

I am very disappointed in her, some things should be kept to ones self, it really has changed the way i feel about her .. and I am sure i am not the only one.

She might be thinking about Ruesha and Katie. And the truth is that when people break up, it disturbs whatever circles they are in together, whether that's their team, workplace, bridge club, bowling league, church, friend group etc. It's unavoidable whenever there are adults that romantic relationships will form. It just needs to be appropriately managed. Provided there's no inbalance of power it can't be policed. It sounds like Hayes has walked it back.

There's nothing wrong with her comments. She had the right to speak her opinion and I side with her.

Using Lindsey Horan in my FC24 Ultimate Team. She is a boss! I build the team around her.

The relationships are inappropriate between teammates. Unprofessional.

First of all, what the hell is the problem with workplace relationships. A LOT of couples meet through work, I'd say its one of the most common places to meet your partner. So why would womens soccer be any different, you just deal with it the best you can. You cant stop people falling in love. Secondly as if the in the mens game personal relationships don't play a role. They might not be dating eachother but ego's clash on very unprofessional levels. Thibaut courtois stole de kevin de bruyne's girlfriend (and she said openly that she had was more satisfied with thibaut in one night then years with kevin lol) and then they still have to play in the Belgians national team together years later.

With that statement she can not be the coach for the national team of the U.S.A

@jamesbarr1983

2 ай бұрын

Rubbish

Obviously no one has rocked Santiago's boat. HAHAHA....

Será que ver a una de sus jugadoras favoritas muy empatica con otra en video le despertó esa sensación o esa reacción por celos?🙄

I just feel like Hayes is disrespecting the hard work and progressiveness for women's issues (specifically Lgbtq rights) that the openess of player x player relationships have helped push to the worldwide spotlight. The game wouldn't be as high-profile now without the activism of players like Rapinoe on the US national team (specifically for gay marriage rights a decade ago). I see what Hayes is trying allude to with a new age of professionalism but she needs to acknowledge that those realionships paved the way for the women's game and helped get us here.

Have you ever thought that emma's opinion is known by all Chelsea players and they have worked out internaly how they all deal with it ?

I think Emma made the wrong choice of word, but she is not wrong. Maybe instead of "inappropriate" she should have said same team player-to-player relationships can be "distracting". I don't think there is any problem if you have people from different teams in a relationship, it doesn't affects her team at all. Imagine if Littlejohn/Foord and Harris/Krieger were in the same team when things went sour, it would have been a disaster for the team.

I think she was saying that when these relationships fail, it can be emotionally un focused to the game. BUT, anyones relationalship is personal to them only and no1 elses business. btw way we say arsnal, we dont really prounounce the sen part. xoxoxo

u can see Lia walti and frood and mccabe and littlejohn ...and all the friends is very hard to do something...and last year Lucy bronze and Keira Walsh... ai ... and fans also hate lucy with Ona batlle

I'm siding with Emma on this. I take her point, but I don't think it was articulated very well. I also think it might have been a weird flex. She might have beem saying, "I am coaching a professional football team with the world's top players vying for the best contracts and I also have to navigate their significant other situations in ways that coaches on the men's side rarely encounter - if at all." Women's sports have the most skilled coaches. Not only do you have to have a tactical brain for football, you also have to be able to emotionally navigate the large egos of professional athletes while also accomdating their relationships. It's wild. Good on Emma.

Total disaster for Arsenal, but let's not all pile on to Jonas, I still think he's the right manager for them. The player-coach relationship is a tricky one; in another job entering into a relationship with one's boss, between two consenting adults, may or may not be acceptable. Obviously there's a power imbalance, so it could be argued it's inappropriate, even if enthusiastically consensual. I don't agree that relationships between players are inappropriate and she has now said that she 'let herself down' by saying that. It obviously didn't affect the players against Arsenal though. afaik now that Harder and Eriksson have left, the only openly known relationship in their squad is Carter and AKB, and Emma said she has talked to JC and smoothed it over - would like to hear the other side though, I can see why they are angry might be that Engen got a longer contract at Barça because she's dating Mapi, I'm sure there are other examples

Is that sexual harassment when someone is using her position ? Of course!

Using rumors as facts 🤣😂🤣 good one 👍 lgbt community don't know how to keep personal and professional lives separate. Especially the younger generation. Uswnt has helped the world.. You have good jokes 👍

So if the culture were something else would that make it acceptable. Emma Hayes is a professional coach and player to player relationship will be problematic. She made herself clear. What is it you don't get. This is among the reasons why her appointment will not work. It's like an episode of the L Word.

Sorry ladies, that's not a wild take!! Speaking as a Chelsea fan, she has had to navigate a lot. The Magda - Pernella relationship, the AKB - Jess Carter relationship, and the Kerr - Mewis relationship while doing what is best for the club and keeping off field dynamics healthy. THAT IS A LOT, and to keep winning at a high level too!!! Just your video, proves the point, get out of your feelings...... This is business, they are not the same regardless of how you personally feel.

@hedginbets7356

2 ай бұрын

Kerr and Mewis play for different teams....

Relationships between manager and player can lead to a conflict of interest. Relationships between players are nobodies business but there's. Keep the professional for work and the personal for everything else. Emma Hayes needs to be careful, antagonising the lgbtg community could create a self inflicted problem with the players.

Sounds foot in mouth really Do remember after Tokyo games Emma joking with Sam about her sportsmanship pictures!!!Thinking of the matildas so many are in same sex relationship so seems no problems look at Arsnel I'm sure Viv and Beth cope with playing on same team and separate homelike!!! Anyway she of to your national team good luck hope no partners in the team???😅Sam has plenty of spare time perhaps a chat with Emma as a parting gift might be needed??? Take care

Good luck, Emma, trying to keep two women from falling in love. lol!

lol what a shame that she forgot the agenda. pathetic. she is right, but now backtracking on player relationships. wonder why the mens game does not suffer from these issues?

I saw some damning excerpts from Alex Scott's book that explain how Emma Hayes exploited people's relationships to get what she wanted when she was with the Red Stars. If I was a queer player under Emma, I would probably not trust her to act in my best interests. I'm glad Magda and Pernille got away. Emma is giving herself this villainous makeover.

@kizzyfarrell6156

2 ай бұрын

Emma hayes should be careful because the tables can turn on her Also, people can dish the dirt on her Private life

My thoughts are on player to player relationships,obviously coach with player is inappropriate.think lots of assumptions are going on..Personally, I think Emma is talking about the game at large,not just Chelsea.Yes,if there is hypocrisy but there is learning and potential her lived experience she bring to her now role.The game is about money somewhere in all of this.Full stop.Wed all like to think it’s more than that.Work place relationships can potential make for complications .What does it mean to be progressive..Their are obviously conflicting values..Let’s look at what happened to the US team and its performance last year and it trying to make political statements.This is a complex issue.I think Emma is being professional for addressing this head on.When love fails or becomes awkward is it for a football club to manage ramifications.?If so,or if not what the easiest and most professional way to manage these complex and personal issues.With care compassion yet clear and clarity of boundaries.Particularly as Emma says where the game has come from and is trying to go.Personally,I can see occasions where love happens in the work place ,wonderful.But what about all the learning,growing up,age difference between players..Cliques and personal agenda can be corrosive and not intentional.Do these emotional issues play out on the field?As we are all human ,I imagine yes.Both in non professional and professional.How and what helps to make these two categories differ? It’s a really interesting ,emotive and challenging subject that needs discussion and a person maybe like Emma to say..Hey,it’s time we look at this too come to mention it.

Wild! Your all in for a rude awakening

You don't sh*t where you eat. Period.

What a surprise .,. As soon as women get involved in football it then all turns to relationships. Ffs .