Ellie Watkins, wife of England player Ollie Watkins, has responded to criticism from football pundit Roy Keane regarding the attire of partners at matches. Watkins was seen cheering on the Three Lions during their World Cup victory over Panama in a £415 designer denim co-ord from Jacquemus. This fashion choice follows an earlier instance where she playfully addressed Keane's comments.
Keane had previously expressed disapproval of players' wives and partners wearing jerseys with their names on the back, suggesting it was inappropriate and highlighting the potential for future relationship separations. "Children is fine, but the wives and partners wearing their jerseys with their name on the back, wow," Keane stated on Gary Neville's podcast, The Overlap. He added, "A year later they are separated, most of them. And they're all getting pictures, and they're pointing at a Jimmy or Johnny on the back, wow. We know who you are married to."
Sources close to some of the WAGs indicate they intend to continue supporting their partners by wearing football shirts, regardless of Keane's remarks. "They are adamant they will wear whatever they want," a friend was quoted as saying. "Why should they let someone like Roy Keane tell them otherwise?"
Watkins herself previously responded to Keane's criticism in a TikTok video before England's draw with Ghana. She showcased an outfit and captioned it, "Roy Keane do you approve?" This playful jab came after she experienced a wardrobe issue for the Ghana game, having forgotten to pack undergarments and having to adjust her planned outfit due to rainy weather. She later posted an update about purchasing undergarments in New York.
England secured a 2-0 win against Panama in their final group game in New York on Saturday, getting their World Cup campaign back on track after a previous 0-0 draw with Ghana.