Women’s football

WALES striker Helen Ward is considering hanging up her boots following the suspension of women’s football below the WSL and Championship. 
Ward’s club Watford are among the sides who have seen their fixtures put on ice after the government announced a third national lockdown to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. 

Helen Ward’s Watford team are among the women’s sides whose matches and training are currently suspended Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The FA confirmed the women’s game in England has been put on hold for teams below the top 23 sides in the country due to Covid-19 restrictions.
It means that 34-year-old Ward – who has made 89 appearances for Wales – will be unable to play and train with her Watford team-mates.
And the striker, who is a mother of two and has netted 42 goals for her country, took to Twitter to air worries about balancing training at home with childcare. 
In her tweet, the Golden Girls forward wrote: “I’m seriously considering retirement. 

“Not sure I’ve got it in me to keep training alone, home school a 6-year-old and entertain a 3-year-old. No chance I can do all three effectively.”

I’m seriously considering retirement. Not sure I’ve got it in me to keep training alone, home school a 6 year old and entertain a 3 year old. No chance I can do all three effectively https://t.co/p1J1HZ6esn
— Helen Ward (@helenwardie10) January 4, 2021

Watford are currently top of the third division southern league and ranked as the joint 24th-best women’s side in England. 
However, the team are currently no longer able to play after their league was grouped in the government’s ‘non-elite’ sports category.

Helen Ward is concerned about the prospect of juggling training at home along with keeping her children occupiedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

This includes sides competing in all divisions below the FA Women’s Championship. 

Newcastle, Southampton and the legendary Doncaster Belles are among the other teams who have seen their matches and training kiboshed.
And the Women’s FA Cup’s is currently in hiatus with the second round stage it has reached also being ranked as ‘non-elite’.

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FOUR Manchester City Women first-team players have tested positive for coronavirus after reportedly travelling to Dubai over the Christmas break.
As reported by the Telegraph, the unnamed aces had the club’s full permission to fly to UAE as Manchester was under Tier Three restrictions at the time.

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FOUR Man City Women players have tested positive for coronavirus after reportedly visiting Dubai
That meant that overseas was permitted under the Government’s regulations and Dubai’s boarders were open to the UK.
City confirmed the quartet had tested positive for the killer virus on Monday.
Saturday’s game against West Ham is still set to go ahead, but the situation will reportedly be monitored.

A statement by the club read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that four Women’s First Team players have tested positive for COVID-19.
“The personnel involved will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with FA and UK Government protocol on quarantine.
“Everyone at the Club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition.”
It is understood that the WSL has seen a rise in positive tests since the Christmas break, after several superstars travelled abroad.

The FA is set to publish the full testing results from the women’s top-flight and Championship this evening.

City’s news came after the men’s side were hit badly by Covid-19 around the festive period, with at least SIX players returning positive test results.
The Etihad Campus training ground is still open but the club are working hard to limit the number of people on site.
Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were confirmed to have tested positive just before Christmas.
Three more Man City players tested positive and missed the 3-1 win at Chelsea – although their identities have not been officially confirmed.
Goalkeeper Ederson and striker Ferran Torres were unavailable for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Eric Garcia became the latest City star to test positive, along with an unnamed member of coaching staff.

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MANCHESTER CITY have confirmed that FOUR women’s players have tested positive for coronavirus.
The men’s side were hit badly by the killer virus around the festive period with at least FIVE players returning positive test results.

Four of Manchester City Women’s players have tested positive for coronavirusCredit: PA:Press Association

A statement by the club read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that four Women’s First Team players have tested positive for COVID-19.
“The personnel involved will now observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with FA and UK Government protocol on quarantine.
“Everyone at the Club wishes our colleagues a speedy recovery ahead of their return to work, training and competition.”
The players will definitely miss this Saturday’s league tie with West Ham and most probably next week’s Continental Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.

The Etihad Campus training ground is still open but the club are working hard to limit the number of people on site.
Kyle Walker and Gabriel Jesus were confirmed to have tested positive just before Christmas.
Three more Man City players tested positive and missed the 3-1 win at Chelsea – although their identities have not been officially confirmed.
Goalkeeper Ederson and striker Ferran Torres were unavailable for the game at Stamford Bridge.

Eric Garcia became the latest City star to test positive, along with an unnamed member of coaching staff.

Pep Guardiola recently defended Benjamin Mendy over his coronavirus breach and insisted ‘many people have maybe done the same’.
The Manchester City left-back, 26, hosted a New Year’s Eve party at his house despite the Covid outbreak within the club camp.
The Etihad boss’ comments have sparked a backlash with some fans branding him ‘shameful’ and ‘disgraceful’ for defending the Covid breach.

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THE GOVERNMENT has branded all women’s football below the 23 teams in the WSL and Championship ‘non elite’.
This means that clubs in the third division and below cannot train or play if they are based in tier four areas of the country.

Watford are among the women’s teams classed as ‘non elite’ by the Government Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

The new regulations meant all but one of the 18 Women’s FA Cup ties scheduled for last weekend were axed amid the coronavirus crisis.
Teams in the Women’s National Leagues are set to be without regular training and game time until most areas of England see restrictions loosened.
Clubs could face a lengthy wait as Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc across the country.
However, this will also be the case for hundreds of men’s ‘non-elite’ teams in the lower levels of the non-league system.

In the women’s game some huge Premier League names have been affected by the new rules.
Burnley, Newcastle, and Southampton are among the clubs whose men’s teams can currently play while their women’s teams cannot.
Watford are top of the third division’s southern league and therefore ranked as the joint 24th-best side in the country, are also unable to play or train.

But Vladimir Ivic’s side sit 26th in their pyramid and are able to continue their plight for promotion from the Championship.

Of course it must be noted that there are huge differences between the men’s and women’s set up.
Most players in the women’s Championship and below juggle their day jobs with football.
So, they are potentially mixing with significantly more people, making it tougher to keep teams safe.
SunSport ran through the main issues the Premier League is facing on whether the season can continue as coronavirus cases surge again.

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WILLIE KIRK reckons Sandy MacIver could become one of the best keepers in women’s football following her Everton performances this term. 
The Toffees ace, who helped her side reach the 2020 Women’s FA Cup final, has kept 6 clean sheets in 15 appearances across all competitions this season. 

Willie Kirk believes Sandy MacIver to be one of the world’s best goalkeepersCredit: Alamy Live News

The Winsford-born stopper, whose cup final saves earned her a Player of the Match award, is regarded as one of Everton’s standout performers so far this term. 
And team boss Kirk believes MacIver, 22, has the talent to rival the likes of Lyon’s Sarah Bouhaddi, Chelsea’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Ellie Roebuck at Manchester City. 
Kirk told Everton’s website: “Sandy has got all the attributes of a modern-day goalkeeper that you’d want. 
“I think she can be the best goalkeeper in the world. I’m not saying she’s there yet, but she can be.

“It’s been great to see her development. We’ve trusted her and given her the platform to perform.
“She’s grabbed that (opportunity) with both hands.
“If she works hard, stays humble and makes the right career choices, I think she can be the best in the world.”

Sandy MacIver has kept 6 clean sheets out of 15 games this termCredit: Focus Images

MacIver’s shot-stopping skills will most certainly be put to the test when Everton, who are fifth, take on WSL leaders Manchester United.

The last time the two sides faced each other was in the group stage of the Conti Cup in December with Everton securing a 1-0 win on their home turf. 
And that encounter was the only defeat Casey Stoney’s Red Devils endured in the first four months of this season.

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FORMER Brighton star Fern Whelan has given fans a highly anticipated pregnancy update after posting an adorable snap on Twitter.
The ex-Seagulls defender, 32, is expecting a baby this year with Brighton striker and long term partner Aileen Whelan, 29.

The duo announced their pregnancy in October after Fern hung up her boots in September, having been dogged with long-term injuries.
Alongside a picture of her bump, Fern wrote on Twitter: “Patiently waiting for our new year with you!”
The couple arrived at the South Coast side in 2017, having played alongside each other at Everton and Notts County.
They helped the club gain promotion to the top tier in her first season.

And ensured Brighton retained their WSL status with ease last term, finishing ninth.
But Albion centre-back, Fern, was forced to called time on her career following advice from medics after battling knee and ankle injuries.
At the time, she said: “It is with a heavy heart that I can finally announce my retirement from the beautiful game. 
“This decision has not been easy, and has not been taken lightly, but I feel that now is the right time to end the ongoing love-hate relationship that myself and football have. 

“I am thankful for the amazing experiences the sport has given me, the players I have been lucky enough to play with and against, and the friends I have made along the way. 
“Mo Marley and Hope Powell gave me highlights I will never forget, playing for England and winning my first FA Cup.
“But it’s no secret that my football journey is filled with anger, loss and what ifs due to having such a nasty injury that unfortunately kept me from the game for two years.”
Aileen juggles full time football with work as a child play therapist, having studied a masters in child psychology.

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