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    Harder open to idea of mid-match pause for players fasting during Ramadan and hopes to lead Hammers to FA Cup final

    OLLI HARDER is open to a possible mid-game pause in WSL evening fixtures during Ramadan so Muslim players can break their fasts.And Harder’s club West Ham, who face Manchester City in the FA Cup later, have been supporting Hawa Cissoko with her training and nutritional needs.
    Olli Harder’s West Ham side hope to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 2019Credit: Getty
    The France and Hammers centre-back, 25, is among the Muslim players in the WSL who are fasting during the Islamic holy month.
    Harder, 36, was speaking days after Leicester’s clash with Crystal Palace reportedly became the first Premier League fixture to be paused to allow fasting players to eat and drink at sunset.
    On the idea of a similar pause in games in the top tier, Harder said: “With anything that helps athletes perform better, then there should be a conversation about it. I would support the idea.
    “We have a lot of support structures and systems in place in regard to helping all our athletes.

    “With Hawa’s circumstances, there is an extra part that needs to be played there.
    “It has been managed well as she is fit, healthy and ready to go on the pitch.”
    West Ham’s FA Cup duel with City will be the third clash between the sides this season.
    Last time out, City avenged their October home loss to the Irons with a 2-0 win on the road.
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    But Harder’s aces will take inspiration from Hammers’ men reaching their first European semi-finals for 46 years on Thursday night.
    He added: “That result was a huge boost to the club as a whole, and the West Ham community.
    “For any team, it’s always part of the pre-season thoughts – can you get on a good cup run?
    “We have a massive challenge but hope to replicate our past success and reach the final.”
    Demi Stokes and Manchester City are targeting a league and FA Cup doubleCredit: Getty
    Demi Stokes hopes League Cup winners Man City can do a cup double, with the club’s England stars eager to retain a winning feeling ahead of the Euros.
    The City defender, 30, said: “It would feel like a great reward for our hard work and how much we have improved.
    “We all love to win and would love to keep that momentum going.” More

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    Chelsea and Lionesses ace Kirby ruled out of action for the ‘foreseeable future’

    FRAN KIRBY has been ruled out of action for an unspecified period of time with the Chelsea ace contending with fatigue.The Blues forward shared a message with her followers on social media stating her intent to put her ‘health first’ and do all she can to ‘come back’.
    Fran Kirby is putting her health first after being ruled out of action for ChelseaCredit: Getty
    The popular playmaker, 28, has been absent from action for Chelsea and the Lionesses since February.
    And Blues chief Emma Hayes, who team face Arsenal in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, provided an update on the situation facing the WSL star.
    Hayes, 45, said: “(There is) no chance of her playing at the weekend.
    “She’s been taking some time in the background, been suffering with a lot of fatigue.
    “I don’t have a definitive reason why that is, we don’t know but we’re trying to get to the bottom of it and taking the time we can to try and find the right solutions for Fran.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The 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    “This is something that’s been ongoing and unfortunately until we get to the bottom of it, Fran won’t be available for selection.”
    On Friday in a message shared via her Twitter account, Kirby wrote: “I’m sad that I have to write to you all another message like this.
    “With this being an on-going issue throughout my career, it was time to put my health first.
    “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to message, I’m doing everything to try and come back once again.
    “But until then, I will be Chelsea and the Lionesses biggest fan with you all.”
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    Kirby has played a formidable role in Chelsea’s frontline forming a goal-laden partnership with Blues striker Sam Kerr.
    This season the Reading-born forward notched up six goals and five assists in thirteen top-flight appearances.
    This follows the 16 goals she scored in 18 WSL appearances last term.
    And the Blues star bagged a brace in last year’s delayed FA Cup final with Chelsea defeating the Gunners 3-0 at Wembley in front of a crowd of 40, 942.
    Fran Kirby netted six WSL goals in 13 top tier appearances this seasonCredit: Getty
    That victory saw Kirby’s side achieve a trophy treble with the club bidding to retain their WSL crown as well as win a fourth FA Cup.
    Kirby also netted in England’s 3-1 defeat of Germany in the Arnold Clark Cup with the Lionesses winning the tournament in February ahead of this summers Euros.
    Last term the Blues star’s performances saw her win the PFA’s Player of the Year Award. More

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    Karren Brady: Twenty years on from Bend It Like Beckham women’s football is making its own legends

    THE FILM Bend it Like Beckham was of historic importance to English football.It left its mark as surely as a muddy boot on a goalpost.
    Bend It Like Beckham inspired major change and evolution in footballCredit: Alamy
    Chelsea manager Emma Hayes leads the revolution in women’s footballCredit: EPA
    Two decades ago it told the story of “Jess” Bhamra, a Manchester United-loving young girl from a traditional Sikh family who plays football against her parents’ wishes, highlighting misogyny in sport.
    It stirred women’s interest in our game — so much so that, 20 years after the film’s release in April 2002, 3.4million women now play football, as reported by the FA.
    The growth is phenomenal.
    The Bend It phenomenon freed women’s imagination in a way perhaps that The Beatles did 40 years earlier, although the effects were very different.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea vs Crystal Palace .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}FA Cup semi-final latest as Blues look to stay in the trophy hunt
    Instead of screaming hysteria, girls were drawn to team competition, to companionship, to fitness and to the skills that came as easily to them as to the boys.
    The FA and other agencies, driven by the sudden, overwhelming interest at schools and in classes run by good coaches, are doing an exceptional job.
    A few males may still laugh at women playing what they call “our game” and that prejudice lingers among men who should know better.
    Kenny Shiels, the Northern Ireland women’s team coach, only this week described women footballers as “more emotional” than men — a  comment made even more absurd by Atletico Madrid’s antics against Manchester City on Wednesday.
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    Leading clubs having gradually, even grudgingly, accepted they have a major part to play in the advancement of the women’s game. They are now as switched on to it as floodlights.
    At the moment this is a costly business. I do not know of a single WSL team that breaks even, let alone makes money, but it’s not always about money.
    At West Ham we call ourselves United Women and that’s just perfect. Unity is all.
    There are rewards, too. We reached the final of the Women’s FA Cup three years ago and today we are in the televised semi-final against City.
    West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady says women’s football will go on reaching new heightsCredit: Getty
    Professional football is broadening all the time and if women have had difficulties in being taken seriously, the crowd prejudice against ethnic players was, and sometimes still is, shocking. Bend It was also important because the star is Sikh. This made it a double coup.
    In the five years after Bend It was first shown, the percentage of black, Asian and minority ethnic professionals in England rose from 22 per cent to 33 per cent and today the figure stands at 50 per cent.
    However, there are only ten British Asians who represent no less than 7.5 per cent of the population.
    That’s one great big hole in the canvas. The other is the lack of black managers.
    I am sure this will change. It is beginning to among women because several clubs have appointed top managers in women’s football.
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    One of them, Emma Hayes, has won four championships, four FA Cups, been runner-up in the Champions League and been voted FIFA Best Coach while at Chelsea.
    Women’s football is making its own modern legends. I hope the next 20 years progress as much as the last 20. More

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    Northern Ireland skipper Callaghan and team-mates ‘stand by’ Shiels following ‘women more emotional than men’ remark

    MARISSA CALLAGHAN and Northern Ireland players have given Kenny Shiels their backing after he was criticised for saying “women were more emotional than men”. Shiels later apologised for the comments made after his side were beaten 5-0 in by the Lionesses in a World Cup qualifier.
    Northern Ireland skipper Marissa Callaghan says she and her team-mates “collectively stand by” their managerCredit: Reuters
    Shiels apologised for comments he made after Northern Ireland’s game against EnglandCredit: PA
    The result put an end to their aims of reaching next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
    Following the game Shiels, 65, said: “Girls and women are more emotional than men. So they take a goal going in not very well.”
    His words came under fire from figures in the game including former England striker Ian Wright and retired Republic of Ireland Women’s captain Emma Byrne.
    Sky Sports reports Shiels will continue in his role as senior women’s team manager with Northern Ireland preparing to compete in this summer’s Euros.
    And team captain Callaghan, 36, says the ‘squad collectively stand’ by their boss who helped the team reach the Euros for the first time ever.
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    In a statement Callaghan, who has 47 senior international caps, said: “In light of recent events, collectively we stand by our manager.
    “We feel his interview was in relation to a meeting we had as a team where we analysed that we concede goals in quick succession and emotions was one of the many things we discussed.
    “Since Kenny took over our national team three years ago, I have always complimented him publicly on how he can get the best out of his players individually and collectively.
    “He is a man of integrity who cares for us like we are family.
    “Kenny has transformed the game here in Northern Ireland because he understands how to get the best out of his players.
    “We have qualified for a major tournament because he transformed our mindset.”
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    Under Shiels’ stewardship Northern Ireland made history by qualifying for the European Championships, the first major tournament the team will compete in.
    The side, whose players include Durham ace Sarah McFadden and Crusaders centre-back Julie Nelson, will take on Norway, Austria and England in the Euros group stages.
    Their opening game against Norway at St Mary’s will come almost three months on from them playing England in front of a record 15,348 crowd at Windsor Park in Belfast.
    On the turnout Callaghan added: “Selling out the National Stadium has been a pivotal moment for the game here in NI and we as players and staff will continue as a team to help grow the game and inspire the next generation of young players and fans.” More

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    Shiels apologises after saying ‘women are more emotional than men’ following Northern Ireland’s loss to England

    KENNY SHIELS has apologised after claiming “women are more emotional than men” following Northern Ireland’s loss to England at Windsor Park.Shiels’ comments – made after his side fell to a 5-0 defeat- have been met with a backlash from influential figures in football.
    Kenny Shiels said he was sorry for the offence caused by his comments after Northern Ireland’s game against EnglandCredit: Sportsfile
    Former England striker Ian Wright and Women in Football chief Yvonne Harrison are among those who criticised Shiels’ remarks.
    The Northern Ireland manager, 65, said women’s teams conceding multiple goals “in a very short period time” is something that occurs “through the whole spectrum of the game”.
    Shiels also suggested women’s sides do not take a goal going in “very well” because “women are more emotional than men”.   
    The former Derry City chief made the comments after his side conceded four second-half goals in 27 minutes at home to England on Tuesday.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The 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    Last Friday they conceded three in nine minutes away to Austria.
    This afternoon the Northern Ireland manager said he was sorry for the offence caused by his comments.
    In a statement published on the Irish FA’s website, Shiels said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night.
    “I am sorry for the offence that they have caused.
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    “Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 
    “I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”
    Responding to his original comments, Arsenal legend Wright, who is a WSL ambassador, tweeted: “Kenny Shiels (is) talking foolishness. Talking about emotional women!”
    The Highbury icon included two pictures of himself during an unhappy moment in his playing days to emphasise his point.
    Shiels’ statement comes a day after Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier duel with England played in front of a record crowd of more than 15,000 fans at Windsor Park.
    His team are set to face Norway in their first game at the Euros in July after qualifying for the tournament for the first time in their history.
    Northern Ireland are set to face England again in the Euros in JulyCredit: Getty More

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    Ian Wright slams Northern Ireland boss Shiels for saying ‘women are more emotional than men’ after 5-0 loss to England

    IAN WRIGHT hit out at Kenny Shiels’ controversial remarks following Northern Ireland’s loss to England in the World Cup qualifiers.Shiels has come under fire after claiming women “being more emotional than men” as a reason for some women’s teams swiftly conceding multiple goals.
    Kenny Shiels suggested women’s teams conceding two goals “in a very short period” occurs throughout the gameCredit: PA
    The Northern Ireland chief, 65, was speaking after his side conceded four times in 27 minutes in the second half of their Windsor Park clash with England.
    The 5-0 result followed Shiels’ aces losing 3-1 to Austria in their previous World Cup qualifier last Friday.
    Shiels suggested teams giving away two goals in a “very short” space of time is something that occurs throughout women’s football.
    He also claimed girls and women “are more emotional than men” and don’t take going a goal down very well.
    This afternoon the Northern Ireland gaffer apologised after his remarks prompted a backlash from followers of the women’s game.
    In a statement published on the Irish FA’s website, Shiels said: “I wish to apologise for my comments made in the post-match press conference last night. I am sorry for the offence that they have caused. 
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    “Last night was a special occasion for the women’s game in Northern Ireland and I am proud to manage a group of players who are role models for so many girls, and boys, across the country. 
    “I am an advocate for the women’s game and passionate about developing opportunities for women and girls to flourish.”
    Shiels’ comments came in for criticism from Wright, 58, and influential figures in the sport including Women in Football chief Yvonne Harrison.
    This morning Arsenal legend Wright, who is a WSL ambassador, tweeted: “Kenny Shiels (is) talking foolishness. Talking about emotional women!
    The Highbury icon included two pictures of himself during an unhappy moment in his playing days to emphasise his point.

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    And Women in Football’s CEO Harrison told Sky Sports: “Women being classed as too emotional is just perpetuating this stereotype that we can’t control our emotions in any setting.
    “That is deeply unhelpful, and I am disappointed by the comments.”
    After Northern Ireland’s loss to England, Shiels told reporters: “I felt they (England) were struggling a wee bit at times to open us up until the psychology of going 2-0 (behind).
    “In the women’s game, you’ll have noticed if you go through the patterns, when a team concedes a goal, they concede a second one within a very short period of time.
    “Right through the whole spectrum of the women’s game, because girls and women are more emotional than men, so a goal going in (is something) they don’t take that very well.”
    “When we went one nil down, we killed the game and tried to just slow it right down to give them (the players) time to get that emotional imbalance out of their head.
    “And that’s an issue we have, not just Northern Ireland, but all countries have that problem.”
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    Losses to Austria and England have effectively ended Northern Ireland’s hopes of reaching the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
    However, the team will compete in the Women’s Euros for the first time in their history in July.
    And Shiels is turning his attention to tournament preparations and duels with their Group A rivals Norway, Austria and England.
    Shiels’ Northern Ireland side will focusing on the Euros with their World Cup qualification hopes all but endedCredit: Sportsfile
    On those matches Shiels said: “It’s going to be very, very difficult to beat England and Norway.
    “But the Austria game – in the two (qualifiers) we played against Austria- I felt we were every bit as good if not better than them. But they’re a really good team.
    “We’ve got to go (into these games) with a positive frame of mind.” More

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    Northern Ireland 0 England 5: Lionesses overcome Shiels’ aces in front of record Windsor Park crowd

    ELLA TOONE netted her tenth England goal as the Lionesses stayed on song to notch up eight wins in eight World Cup qualifiers.Braces from Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway were among the efforts that saw the team trounce Northern Ireland 5-0.
    Ella Toone was on target with England’s second goal of the game against Northern IrelandCredit: Getty
    Lauren Hemp netted twice to take her tally of goals for the Lionesses up to sixCredit: Getty
    The result saw the World Cup hopes of Kenny Shiels’ side all but ended with the team now looking ahead to their first-ever Euros campaign.
    And it leaves England needing justing a point to qualify for the tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.
    Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman said: “As a team we were really good today. We dominated even more than we did in October.
    “We are trying to get connected all the time and the players’ competitiveness in this team is so high.
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    “I think the 5-0 result is great, 5-0. It’s a very mature performance from us.
    “We dominated the game throughout the 90 minutes and we hoped to score more goals in the first half but four goals in the second half is very nice to see.”
    England looked to strike early minute in front of a record 15,348 Windsor Park crowd.
    This came through Ella Toone teeing up a low shot before Kelsie Burrows intervened with a tackle around the second minute.
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    And the hosts attempted to capitalise on Jess Carter’s slip with Lauren Wade darting towards the box before Millie Bright and Leah Williamson helped regain possession.
    Northern Ireland’s bullish defending early on– spearheaded by Sarah McFadden and Julie Nelson – kept the visitors at bay for a spell.
    Ellen White, currently level with Harry Kane with her tally of England goals, saw her attempts to shoot thwarted by McFadden in the 17th minute.
    And the striker had a goal disallowed moments later after burying a rebound following Beth Mead’s shot on the edge of the box.
    Sarah McFadden put in an impressive defensive shift for Northern Ireland in the first halfCredit: Getty
    England eventually got their breakthrough with Hemp putting them ahead in the 24th minute.
    The winger’s scuffed chip flew over the head of keeper Jackie Burns to break the deadlock.
    McFadden made another vital interception blocking Leah Williamson’s dangerous cross moments after the half-hour mark.
    This came shortly before Hemp got her head on the end of Lucy Bronze’s cross before nodding the ball over minutes before half-time.
    The second spell saw Wiegman’s side crank up the pressure by upping the pace of their passing.
    And they got their rewards with Toone putting them two up with a composed finish after Bronze’s pinpoint cross.
    Following Mary Earps’ first save of the game, England went 3-0 ahead with Hemp rounding Burns in the 60th minute.
    And Stanway made it four with a thumping 70th-minute strike before registering her brace nine minutes later.
    Georgia Stanway netted a second-half brace as England dispatched their hosts at Windsor ParkCredit: Getty
    She did so with her low shot finding the bottom corner after the hosts sought to clear the ball out of danger.
    The 5-0 trouncing sees England remain in pole position in Group D with their eighth clean sheet.
    And the team unbeaten under boss Sarina Wiegman with games against the Netherlands and Belgium up next in June.   More