Former goalkeeper Chamberlain, who played 50 times for England, said Shiels had to take responsibility for “knowing the value that words can hold”.
“I think we all know that the five minutes after you concede a goal – not just in women’s football, [also] in men’s football – you’re more likely to concede a goal,” Chamberlain, speaking before Shiels’ apology, told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“To just generalise that to women is a slightly bizarre comment.
“When you give post-match news conferences when you’re feeling emotional after a big game, it’s important to make sure that you are speaking sensibly and are aware of the message that your words can carry.”
Wright tweeted that Shiels was “talking foolishness”.
Yvonne Harrison, chief executive of Women in Football, said Shiels’ remarks were “very unhelpful”.
“Hearing a man talking about women being too emotional in this day and age, I just felt like I’d gone back 30 years, to be perfectly honest with you,” Harrison told PA news agency.
“It’s something women have had to face for years and years right across society, not just sport.
“But I caveat that with his team had just been beaten 5-0 by a very strong Lionesses team and that’s not easy to take, and you’ve got all the media on you.”