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      FA bosses hope fans smash attendance records at Women’s 2022 Euros in England

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      FOOTBALL chiefs want fans to break the European record for the highest crowd numbers at the opening and closing games of a women’s Euros tournament. The targets were revealed as part of FA and UEFA plans to flog more than 700,000 tickets for Women 2022 Euros games taking place in England. 
      Wembley is set to host the final of the 2022 Women’s EurosCredit: Getty
      Football bosses hope to sell more than 700,000 tickets to Women’s 2022 Euros games in EnglandCredit: Reuters
      It is hoped spectators will pack out Old Trafford for the tournament’s opener surpassing a milestone of 41,301 set in 2013. 
      Authorities also aim to smash the European attendance number for a final at the contest’s finale at Wembley. 
      They hope to see spectator numbers for that clash surpass the figure of the 80,203 who watched the USA defeat Japan in the women’s football final of the London 2012 Olympic games. 
      Tickets for next year’s Women’s Euros will be priced from £5 to £50 with over half a million available for £25 or less.
      However, the FA say England group stage matches and quarter-finals and semis fixtures will be priced differently but were tight-lipped as to what the pricing for these games will be. 
      Chris Bryant, the FA’s tournament delivery head said: “This is all about setting out our ticket ambitions for the tournament. 
      “We want to deliver a record breaking showcase that unites football and communities to amplify the women’s game.
      “Our ambition really is centred around for stadia, fantastic atmospheres. And we really need a ticketing strategy that embodies that”
      Fixtures for the Women’s 2022 Euros games are due to take place in 10 venues in nine host cities in England. 
      Games will be held in Brighton, London, Milton Keynes, Rotherham, Sheffield, Southampton, Trafford and Wigan and Leigh.
      Tournament organisers hope the sport’s followers will flock to buy tickets for games involving 16 teams including host nation England.  
       Fans are being invited to pre-register for tickets on Uefa’s web site July 13.
      Northern Ireland are among 16 nations taking part in the tournamentCredit: PA

      Officials say there are plans to use the Euros to create a legacy project to encourage 120,000 girls to take up football in the tournament’s host cities.  
      And the FA hopes the to produce 350 newly-trained coaches and 350 new referees through the scheme.  
      FA women’s football director Baroness Sue Campbell said: “It has been a challenging year in so many ways, with mental and physical wellbeing hugely affected by the Covid pandemic. 
      “The tournament and the city legacy programmes are a real opportunity to positively change the impact restrictions have had on our activity levels and to bring us together through football.
      The FA hopes to encourage more than 80,000 fans to attend the final of the Women’s 2022 EurosCredit: Getty
      “The long-term legacy ambitions will unlock the game for more women and girls across host cities and beyond with equal access for all girls to play football in school and clubs. 
      “Our vision will ensure an inclusive, safe and welcoming environments for every woman and girl to play competitive or recreational grassroots football – irrespective of ability, age or ambition.”
      With Covid having hit fan presence at football stadiums with up to 10,000 currently allowed into grounds, the FA says it will have a contingency plan place if the pandemic causes attendance problems next year. 
      Bryant added: “We’ve already got an ambitious ticketing target and we want to make sure that we give ourselves every opportunity to hit those milestones if we can,
      “We need to be able to work back from the in the event that the pandemic is still around and it does require us to adapt. 
      “We are considering all the contingency plans that are available to us.”
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Tickets for Women’s Euros will be priced from £5 to £50 with up to half a million available for £25 or lessCredit: Alamy Live News
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      Leicester stars Wesley Fofana and Hamza Choudhury will NOT face FA action after holding Palestinian flag at FA Cup final

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      LEICESTER stars Wesley Fofana and Hamza Choudhury will NOT face any FA action for their Wembley flag-waving.The two Foxes brandished a Palestinian flag during their FA Cup Final celebrations on Saturday.
      Hamza Choudhury and Wesley Fofana carried the Palestine flag at Wembley
      The FA will take no action as the flag is internationally recognisedCredit: Getty
      Fofana and Choudhury were praised by pro-Palestinian groups for their “gesture of solidarity” during the ongoing violence and rocket launches from and against Israel.
      An official complaint about their behaviour was made to both Leicester and the FA by Action Against Discrimination, who insisted: “Sport and in this case football must never be used as a platform for either politics or racism.”
      But the FA, which has supported players “taking a knee” for more than a year, does not believe it should act in any way.
      Wembley’s position remains that the FA does not investigate the general use of internationally-recognised national flags on the field of play or in the stadium.
      The moment came after Leicester claimed their first-ever FA Cup crown on Saturday.
      A Youri Tielemans wondergoal fired the Foxes past Chelsea, who had a late leveller ruled out after VAR picked up a tight offside infringement.
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      However, there were unsavoury scenes after the match as Leicester’s Daniel Amartey was subjected to hideous racist abuse online.
      The player, a substitute throughout the final, had been filmed jokingly throwing Chelsea’s official pennant over his shoulder in the celebrations.
      The cup finalists meet again on Tuesday night in a Premier League clash as the race for a place in next season’s Champions League continues.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Football Association release roadmap to women’s FA Cup final in celebration of competition’s 50th anniversary

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      THE Football Association have revealed the dates for the remaining women’s FA Cup ties until the final in celebration of the competition’s 50th anniversary. Following the tournament’s untimely pause due to Covid, it must now carry on into next season.
      The FA have released the women’s FA Cup dates until the final which will be played next season
      The FA have joined forces with mobile networking company EE to present the final which will be played on Sunday December 5, 2021 at Wembley.
      The decision to choose this day is a poignant one as it marks the exact date a 100 years ago when the FA banned women’s football.
      Kelly Simmons, Director of Women’s Professional Game said using the date was a “fitting” tribute to all the female trailblazers who have played the sport.
      She said: “To mark the competition’s 50th anniversary, we felt it was fitting to schedule the 2021 Vitality Women’s FA Cup Final on 5 December, a date for many which represents the game’s lowest ebb.
      “We want to use the Cup Final day, always one of the most special in the calendar, as a platform to celebrate the game’s historic trailblazers.
      “Watching our best players at one of the best stadiums in the world, will hopefully continue to inspire a new generation to fall in love with women’s football.”
      The competition restarted at the end of March and has reached the fifth round stage which fixtures will be played from May 16 to May 20.
      The quarter-finals will take place on Wednesday 29 September , and the semi’s a month later on Sunday 31 October.
      The FA decided to play the final on the exact same date that the footballing authority banned women’s football a 100 years agoCredit: Getty

      The FA seem to planning a celebration after the final game which could see fans in attendance.
      Their press release said: “More details of the celebrations to be held and ticket details will be released in due course.”
      This decision is in line with the men’s game who the FA have allowed to have fans at the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.
      The Carabao Cup final between Tottenham and Man City last month had 8,000 fans in attendance.
      And this amount will be extended to 21,000 for the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Leicester City.
      The FA have said fans will be allowed to attend the final just like the men’s gameCredit: Getty
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      Premier League and FA join forces as they unveil plans to crush any future plots to launch breakaway Super League

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      THE Premier League and FA have vowed to crush the Super League plotters if they attempt another breakaway.In a move to reassure fans the threat has been killed off for good, the FA launched an inquiry by demanding full and frank answers from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Spurs and the two Manchester giants.
      Football fans were outraged after plans to join the European Super League were revealedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      And the Premier League promised it will change its rulebook to dismiss any possibility of the rebels coming back for a second attempt.
      A Prem statement read: “The Premier League has prepared a series of measures to enshrine the core principles of the professional game an open pyramid, progression through sporting merit and the highest standards of sporting integrity.
      “These measures are designed to stop the threat of breakaway leagues in future.”
      The Big Six are facing disrepute charges for their parts in the attempted coup.
      FA top brass are understood to feel heavy fines are more likely, rather than punishments that would hit the fans such as points deductions.
      A Wembley spokesperson said: “We have been discussing legislation with Government that would allow us to prevent any similar threat in the future so we can protect the English football pyramid.”
      The crisis brought English football’s ruling parties together — and the involvement of the Government and its threatened “legislative bombshell” helped torpedo the breakaway plans in the space of 48 hours.
      And the Prem clarified the specific steps it intends to take and force on to the rulebook at this summer’s AGM, to come into immediate effect.
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      It pledged to bring in new rules to “protect open competition” and an owners’ charter that must be signed by all club bosses “committing them to the core principles of the League” — or they will face “significant sanctions”.
      A statement read: “The Premier League, supported by The FA, is taking the following actions to protect our game, our clubs and their fans from further disruption and uncertainty:
      “Additional rules and regulation to ensure the principles of the Premier League and open competition are protected.
      “A new Owners’ Charter that all club owners will be required to sign up to, committing them to the core principles of the Premier League.
      “Breaches of these rules and the Charter will be subject to significant sanctions.
      “We are enlisting the support of Government to bring in appropriate legislation to protect football’s open pyramid, principles of sporting merit and the integrity of the football community.
      “And we will work with the fan groups, Government, Uefa, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA to defend the integrity and future prospects of English Football.”
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      Every English football club to take part in social media boycott today in protest at online hate

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      EVERY English football club will join a social media boycott today in protest at online hate.The FA, Premier League, EFL and the women’s game will turn off Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for four days. 
      Thierry Henry has led the charge for big tech reforms over online abuseCredit: PA
      They are calling on social media firms to stem the “relentless” flow of abuse.
      In an act of unity, The Sun will stop posting on our Twitter accounts from 3pm today until 11.59pm on Monday.
      France’s Thierry Henry, who has led the charge for big tech reform, was “thrilled” by the show of strength.
      He said: “It is a powerful statement.”
      Writing in today’s Sun, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden warns social media giants to act or face the consequences.
      Under his Online Safety Bill, companies could be shut down if they fail to remove abuse. 
      He writes: “Under the legislation, if social media companies fail to keep their promises to users – if they don’t quickly remove racist abuse, for example – they will face severe sanctions.
      “For the very worst failures, they could have their sites blocked.
      “They could also face huge fines of up to ten percent of annual global turnover.
      “For a company like Facebook or YouTube, that could be billions.”
      The Arsenal legend said of the online boycott: ‘It is a powerful statement’Credit: AFP

      He continues: “English football coming off social media is a powerful statement.
      “Everything that tries to destroy the beauty and the happiness of our game — we should fight it.
      “This is my happiest moment. Football stands for something. Not only money.”
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      Taylor hopes Man City can knock Chelsea off the WSL’s summit in crunch clash for title

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      GARETH TAYLOR thinks it will be a huge coup if Man City can swipe Chelsea’s WSL crown during his first term in charge. And the Academy Stadium boss has thrown his weight behind plans to provide the women’s game’s top referees with access to training given to Prem and EFL match officials.  
      Gareth Taylor hopes his team can pick up maximum points against ChelseaCredit: Getty
      A win for the Blues would put them in pole position to retain their WSL crownCredit: Getty
      City, who are without injured skipper Steph Houghton, will battle with the Blues for the first time since their 4-2 Conti Cup quarter-final loss to the champions in January. 
      And Taylor expects his side will face a stiff test as they look to avenge that defeat and pick up their tenth win on the bounce before a clash with Birmingham. 
      Should City triumph the club will be two wins away from securing their second WSL title and their first since Taylor took charge in September 2020.
      Taylor, 48, said: “This is obviously a result we need. But we know afterwards that we need another two wins. 
      “It’s important for us that we focus on this game and get this job done. To win the title would be big, let’s not dance around it.
      “It’d be a huge achievement for us especially considering the run that we needed to go on in order to be successful. 
      “In the WSL unfortunately with just 12 teams and only 22 games, it doesn’t really allow for any inconsistency at all. 
      “We’ve lost one game this season to Chelsea, they’ve lost one game to Brighton. Everything’s fairly tight. 
      “It’s not really been a season where you’re able to kind of run away with points. 
      Manchester City are currently two points behind league leaders ChelseaCredit: Zuma Press

      City’s game against Chelsea comes a day after the FA revealed PGMOL ref chiefs will oversee the management of WSL match officials from next season. 
      The standard of refereeing in the league has at times been questioned by club bosses with some officiating decisions coming in for criticism. 
      It is hoped the move will help ramp up the quality of officiating following growing calls for full-time refs at the highest levels of the women’s game. 
      Taylor added: “To come under one governing body is going to help everyone, it’s going to help the officials, it’s going to help referees. 
      “We’re always wanting to look at ways that we can revolutionise the game and add quality and this is a really positive step forward.”
      Taylor has backed plans for WSL match officials to receive training and support given to Prem refsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Meanwhile, Ann-Katrin Berger reckons the outcome of Chelsea’s clash with City will determine who will become the WSL’s top dogs this term.
      And the Blues stopper, who has kept 10 clean sheets in 14 league games this term hopes her side can pick up a second win at the Academy Stadium.   
      Berger, 30, said: “We’re two strong teams that know how to win. And I think it will be harder for us because it’s not on our ground.
      “But I think because we won for the first time there this year, we can have a little more confidence in this game.” 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Ann-Katrin Berger believes Chelsea can take confidence from their win against Man City in JanuaryCredit: Rex
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      FA coy over WSL partnership future as Hall of Fame announced on league’s tenth anniversary

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      KELLY SIMMONS remained tight-lipped over whether the WSL’s megabucks partnership with Barclays is set to continue beyond 2022.And The FA’s women’s game director says two third-tier teams will make the step up to the Women’s Championship next term.
      The Women’s Super League is celebrating its tenth birthdayCredit: Getty
      FA women’s game director Kelly Simmons says a WSL Hall of Fame is set to be createdCredit: Getty
      Simmons was speaking to journalists before the launch of a Barclays Women’s Super League Hall of Fame today to mark the tenth anniversary of the division.
      Her comments come just over two years on from the finance giants agreeing to a three-year WSL sponsorship deal with the FA worth in excess of £10million.  
      And the addition of two clubs from the women’s game’s third division to the Championship will see the number of second-tier teams increase from 11 to 12.
      Simmons told reporters: “We are in various stages of discussions in terms of what the next partnership might look like. 
      “I can’t say any more than that at this stage as it is too sensitive, but we’re in discussions. 
       “I think it’s really important (for the Women’s Championship) to go to 12 (teams). 
      “Because the seasons (below this division) have not been completed, clubs can join via the application process. 
      “We don’t want another season – assuming we can get two clubs that can meet the criteria – with an odd number of teams in the Championship.”
      Over the past decade, the Women’s Super League has evolved from an eight-team, semi-pro contest, into a full-time professional 12-team league competition.
      The FA are tight-lipped over the future of their Women’s Super League partnership with BarclaysCredit: Rex

      Last season saw the division’s first-ever North London derby break the record for the biggest crowd at a WSL clash with 38,262 fans watching Tottenham take on Arsenal.
      And the record attendance for that game – which Simmons described as her favourite – was a far cry from the number at the WSL’s first-ever fixture. 
      On that day a then 19-year-old Gilly Flaherty scored the winner for the Gunners in front of a crowd of 2,510 fans at Tooting and Mitcham’s Imperial Fields ground.
      [embedded content]
      Reflecting on the game West Ham skipper Flaherty, 29, told BBC Football Focus: “There was a lot of hype around the game with the WSL starting. 
      “It was a massive day and a massive occasion. It’s something I dreamed of scoring the first WSL goal because I’m a defender. 
      “The forwards were thinking ‘that could be me, I’m going to get the first goal in the WSL’, but I robbed it off them. 
      “You don’t think until years down the line how significant that goal was.”
      Gilly Flaherty scored the first ever goal in the WSL when Arsenal beat Chelsea 1-0 on 13 April 2011Credit: Rex
      Simmons added: “I could never have envisaged the league having been on such a journey of growth and development when we launched it ten years ago. 
      “The support we have received from clubs, the media, fans and stakeholders has been overwhelming.
      The biggest game for me was Tottenham v Arsenal with the record crowd. 
      “The fans were phenomenal but the atmosphere was incredible, 
      “You could hear the Arsenal end and the Spurs end. It really created a special atmosphere, a spine-tingling one
      “I was sat in that game and I thought that’s what, over the next 10 years, women’s football can become regularly. 
      Simmons cited Arsenal legend Kelly Smith, 42, and Chelsea’s Fran Kirby, 27, as two of her favourite players from the past decade. 
      Simmons says Arsenal heroine Kelly Smith is one of her favourite WSL playersCredit: The FA – Getty Images
      Simmons said: “I think Kelly Smith was just unbelievable to watch, just so technically gifted and personally for me just an incredible, incredible footballer.
      “And then there are players like Fran Kirby, who have had to come through such adversity and still play with such great passion and a smile on face. 
      “So many of them work so hard off-pitch to promote the game and be a wonderful role model and inspire girls to play.”
      Next season will see the top-flight take another massive leap forward with at least 40 WSL clashes due to be broadcast on Sky Sports and the BBC next season.
       Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Women’s Super League clashes are due to be aired on Sky Sports and the BBC in the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Rex
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      Birmingham City Women slam budget, work conditions and lack of medical help in complaint to club

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY WOMEN have complained to their club’s board about working conditions, medical care and fitness facilities for their players.The Telegraph claims a formal letter it has seen – signed by every single member of Blues’ first-team squad – has been sent to club chiefs. 
      Birmingham Women’s first-team squad have formally complained to the club’s board about working conditionsCredit: Rex
      The letter, which was first reported by journalist Shebahn Aherne on Sky Sports News, lists a number of problems.
      Concerns include a lack of support with travel on game days, access to changing rooms and worries about playing finances affecting match-day squad numbers. 

      It claims that some salaries for playing staff are reportedly below the minimum wage and that current conditions for players ‘prevent us from performing our jobs to the best of our ability’.
      And it is thought gym facilities provided for the women’s team do not meet elite sporting standards with their physio and rehab room based in a portakabin. 
      Other concerns highlighted include poor-quality pitches provided for players and claims that some coaching personnel are not employed full-time which would contravene Women’s Super League licence regulations. 
      The Telegraph reports there are fears the club may not be committed to providing the finances needed to pay for a full-time women’s side next term.
      And just three players are thought to have a contract for next season.
      It is claimed the women’s squad – who are currently ninth and battling for survival in the WSL – had numerous pleas for meetings with board members declined before their complaint letter was sent. 
      However, Birmingham City officials are thought to have denied this. 
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      Birmingham Women have concerns about gym facilities, pay and a lack of medical supportCredit: Getty

      A club official told the Telegraph: “The letter was received, in the last week, and responded to. 
      A request to meet with the board was made in the letter and the request was the first formal request to be received.
      “It’s no secret we have one of the lowest budgets in the league, Covid has only compounded this. 
      “This certainly makes it difficult to compete, but we’re doing our best on and off the pitch in what is a very difficult time for professional football.”
      Birmingham, who reached the semi-finals of the 2020 Women’s FA Cup, have endured a challenging season with injuries leaving their squad severely depleted earlier this term.
      And pitch conditions at the Damson Park ground they use for home clashes has led to some fixtures being postponed. 
      Birmingham are battling to retain their place in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Rex
      In January team boss Carla Ward said she would only be able to field TEN players for a game against Tottenham due to several players being out of action. 
      After talks with team medics, there were concerns over the physical wellbeing of players which led to the club applying for the fixture to be postponed. 
      However, after the FA refused their request the club decided to call off the game due to an ‘unprecedented shortage of player availability’. 
      The decision would later lead to Tottenham being awarded a win and three points by an independent tribunal much to Birmingham Women’s disappointment.
      The tribunal found the club had breached rule 11.3.18 by failing ‘to fulfil an engagement’. 
      We’ve had it all chucked at us and I’m absolutely delighted with this team as they’ve shown pure resilience and a mentality and a mindset not to roll over. Carla Ward
      Birmingham, who are three points and three places above the drop zone, are due to take on Reading in the league after the international break following an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Coventry. 
      Prior to their game with Chelsea Ward, who took charge of the club in August 2020,  praised the grit her team have displayed this season. 
      Carla Ward has hailed the resilience of her side who battled with an injury crisis earlier this seasonCredit: Zuma Press
      Ward said: “We’ve had it all chucked at us and I’m absolutely delighted with this team as they’ve shown pure resilience and a mentality and a mindset not to roll over. 
      “It’s easy to roll over when things aren’t going your way, but they’ve had a real attitude of making sure that they’ve got a siege mentality. 
      “Before I took this job I know there were a lot of people saying Birmingham would get rolled over week-in, week-out, and we haven’t done.
      “No matter what happens, I can honestly say I will be very proud of this group because we’ve achieved a points number that Blues didn’t achieve last season.”
      Birmingham are due to play Reading in their next WSL fixture following a Women’s FA Cup clash with CoventryCredit: Rex
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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