Sarah Pochin, Reform UK MP, and equalities minister Bridget PhillipsonA Reform UK MP has been called out after she bizarrely urged England’s football team to “keep winning” so women are not abused.
The day after England won 4-2 against Croatia in its first match of the 2026 World Cup, Sarah Pochin said “thank goodness” the national team won.
“On the occasions that England lose their football matches, the incidents of domestic violence go through the roof,” she said in a short video posted on X.
“So boys, keep winning.”
Multiple studies have suggested domestic abuse incidents increase when the national team lose a game – Lancaster University previously found reported incidents can rise by 38% when England lose and 26% when England win.
However, many took issue with Pochin’s attempt to put the responsibility for such abuse on the England players, rather than the abusers themselves.
Equalities minster Bridget Phillipson was quick to call out Pochin, replying on X: “Men should not beat up women. Full stop. No excuses.”
Labour MP Stella Creasy also criticised the social media post, writing: “Domestic abuse rises whether England loses or wins at football.
“Tackling that shouldn’t depend on the score line but the seriousness with which we take violence against women and ending the culture of misogyny that enables it.
“With views like this Reform continue to show they are part of the problem not the solution.”
Other users on social media condemned Pochin’s framing as the “most tone deaf thing,” “horrific” and “unbelievable”.
I think this might be the most tone deaf thing I've seen in fifteen years on this website. https://t.co/S917YtupWb
— Rebecca Reid (@RebeccaCNReid) June 18, 2026This is fucking horrific. Pochin telling England to keep winning so blokes don't batter their wives, instead of telling abusers not to abuse.
Can't believed what I have just watched. https://t.co/PiMKixBRkn
I mean, there is another take on this, but no, let's place the responsibility on the footballers. Unbelievable. https://t.co/piOehgXMEx
— Keith Burge (@carryonkeith) June 18, 2026It’s not the responsibility of a football team to stop men hitting women.
It’s the responsibility of men to not hit women. https://t.co/MpbRbZnJwO
The scrutiny over Pochin’s comments come after her party leader, Nigel Farage, also attracted backlash for appearing to recycle a celebratory photo from 2024 to mark England’s victory last night.
Pochin herself has often drawn criticism for making gaffes or issuing divisive remarks.
Last October, she claimed there are not enough white people in TV adverts, blaming “the woke liberati that goes on inside the arty-farty world”.
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