(Reuters) – Chelsea manager Emma Hayes said she regrets calling player-to-player relationships “inappropriate” and clarified that there are no professionalism issues in the Women’s Super League side’s dressing room.
During a statement made on Thursday, Hayes expressed concern over relationships between players and the potential challenges they could pose for managers.
In response to Hayes’ remarks, Chelsea defender Jess Carter engaged with several posts on social media platform X that criticized the manager’s stance.
After Chelsea’s 3-1 victory against Arsenal on Friday, Hayes addressed the media and revealed that she had spoken with Carter and other players from the team. She stated, “They understand my intentions and who I am.”
Hayes also acknowledged her own error, admitting, “I strive to be a professional and responsible coach, so using the term ‘inappropriate’ was not appropriate on my part. I stand by my words, but I hold no negative judgment towards any player in my squad, regardless of their relationships.”
“Their professionalism is unwavering, irrespective of their personal lives or any external factors,” Hayes emphasized.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
