Women’s football

EMMA HAYES has called on government support to get the Women’s Super League finished at all costs, as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the division.
The Blues’ 5-0 win at Reading was the only top-flight game of the weekend after five matches had to be postponed as clubs wrestle a surge in Covid-19 cases.

Emma Hayes says clubs need money from the government to register academy players to be part of the first team’s bubbleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Chelsea’s 5-0 win at Reading was the only top-flight game of the weekend after five matches had to be postponed due to a rise in Covid-19 casesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Topdogs Arsenal and Manchester City both requested postponements at the weekend following players testing positive for the virus after reportedly jetting off to Dubai.
Everton called off their match against Manchester United with five players not fit enough to play after catching coronavirus over the Christmas break.
While Birmingham revealed FA chiefs denied their request to postpone having revealed they only had TEN players fit due a host of injuries and one testing positive for Covid-19.
The WSL bit the dust last season, with the Blues crowned champions by points-per-game.

And Hayes hopes the league’s drastic rise in cases doesn’t KO the division like last time out.
She said: “We’re lucky, some people are stuck at home, they can’t go to work, they can’t see their families.
“It’s our job to do this safely to look after the players and where we can let’s make sure these fixtures happen and that we’re not irresponsible as clubs.
“That’s the big thing for me coming out this week. It’s not good enough, and we have to do better and the FA has to support that.

“But equally, we have to make sure we don’t just throw the FA under the bus.
“The reality is they have a duty of care to players, and they can only do what’s presented to them.
“I’m disappointed with women’s football this week, we’ve worked so hard to get where we are.
“I think it’s important for everybody to be mindful of that and make sure we get back to doing the right things at the right times.”
The West Londoner’s midweek League Cup quarter-final tie with City, was also called off after the Etihad’s outbreak.
Hayes added: “I don’t know what Manchester City’s situation is.
“But I respect that having been through it in our own camp that sometimes it’s challenging.
“I’ve worked in women’s football a long time and my message to the clubs and to the FA is let’s not go through another week like we’ve just been through.
“Lets support each other and make sure that provisions are in place to make sure this league finishes and if it means that we have to play with the academies, then so be it.
“We need the money from the government to make sure we register young players to be within our bubbles and we do whatever we can because women’s football comes above every single one of us.”
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WSL stars under fire for appearing to ‘break Covid rules’ as West Ham and Arsenal players jet off on luxury trips – the sun More

EMILY VAN EGMOND says she is thrilled to be working with new boss Olli Harder after making her West Ham stay permanent.
And the ex-Orlando Pride star reckons the Hammers are beginning to find their rhythm after a tricky start to the season. 

Australia midfielder Emily van Egmond is enjoying life at West HamCredit: Rex Features

West Ham are due to take on Tottenham in their first WSL game this yearCredit: Rex Features

West Ham are yet to play their first match this year – and their first game under Harder – following a turbulent week culminating in FIVE axed WSL fixtures.  
It means the tenth-placed Irons now have a game in hand on Bristol City who are bottom, and Hope Powell’s Brighton who are ninth. 
And a revitalised van Egmond, 27, says she is eager to get going with her side targeting their third win of the season when they take on Tottenham. 
Van Egmond told West Ham TV: “We’ve come in and had a bit of an up-and-down start to the season but towards the back end, before the Christmas break, I thought we were starting to find a bit of consistency. 

“We’ve been able to go away and mentally freshen up, and hit the training ground hard with the new manager coming in. 
“The training sessions have been really good with him and the club has been fantastic too.
“I’m really enjoying my football here at West Ham too, and I’m excited to be working with the new manager. 
“Personally, it’s nice to have a bit of stability during the current circumstances that are going on in the world. 

Emily van Egmond believes West Ham’s form is starting to improve in the WSL this termCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“I’m happy to be here with West Ham, and I can’t wait to keep going.”
West Ham, who lost six WSL encounters in the first four months of the season, will be looking to pick up their first win against Spurs since September 2019. 
The last two WSL encounters between the fierce London rivals ended in a 2-1 Tottenham win in January last year followed 1-1 draw in September.

Sebastien Haller shows off his talents on the West Ham training pitch More

TANYA OXTOBY wants football authorities to clarify the choice to postpone Manchester City’s and Arsenal’s WSL games on Saturday.  
The ‘frustrated’ Robins manager’s plea came hours before the calling off City’s Conti Cup clash with Chelsea – a move facing a backlash from some players. 

Tanya Oxtoby wants to see clarity on match postponement decision-makingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Bristol had to play Man City in November with five of their senior players self-isolating Credit: The FA

Five Man City aces are confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of their first league game of the new year.
And it was reported that four City players got coronavirus following a trip to Dubai over the Christmas period. 
This week the FA announced City’s clash with West Ham is to be rescheduled, with the club confirmed as being unable to meet the minimum quota of 14 squad players.
However, the decision has prompted comments from some players hinting at double standards in the women’s top flight.

And some fans cited Bristol having to field a team of academy kids against City in November, with five of their senior players self-isolating.
Tanya Oxtoby’s Robins, who are currently bottom of the table, are due to face Brighton in the WSL on Sunday.
Oxtoby, 38, told Sky Sports News: “The FA have a decision to make now around the clarification and transparency over the decision-making. 
“Obviously there are things they can’t disclose, which I understand, but for us, it’s about understanding the decision-making process and being really clear.

“That would take away the feeling that bigger clubs are having different treatment because there may be underlying factors we’re not aware of.
“But until we’re filled in on those and able to understand them, there’s certainly some frustration around what appears to be a little bit of a different decision with similar circumstances.”
Meanwhile, the postponement of Man City’s Conti Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on Wednesday has been met with mild derision from WSL aces on social media. 
Blues striker Bethany England posted a cryptic message on Twitter featuring an upside-down emoji face along with the words ‘If I speak’.

Man City’s Conti Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea has been postponedCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
Her club team-mate Fran Kirby shared a tweet wishing authorities “good luck” with trying to find a date to reschedule the league cup fixture. 

The axing of the game means Manchester City’s first match of the year will be a WSL encounter against Aston Villa on January 17. 
And Chelsea who are third – with two games in hand on league leaders Man United – are due to take on Reading.

Lionesses in training More

ARSENAL have confirmed their WSL game with Aston Villa has been called off after a player tested positive for Covid after visiting Dubai.  
The club says the match postponement, which has provoked fury within the women’s game, is due to safety reasons. 

Arsenal have had their match with Aston Villa postponed due to a player testing positive for CovidCredit: Rex Features

The Gunners squad member who tested positive has not been named. 
However, the club confirmed the individual is not their Republic of Ireland star Katie McCabe who came under fire on social media for her Dubai trip over Christmas. 
In a statement an Arsenal spokeswoman said: “Although initially all of our first team players tested negative on return from the Christmas break, one player has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19 this week. 
“As a result, several first team players are now observing a period of self-isolation as a precaution in accordance with FA and UK Government protocol.

“Our FA WSL fixture against Aston Villa Women that was due to be played this weekend has been postponed due to health and safety concerns.” 
The axing of the Gunners’ away game with Villa is the second top tier encounter to be kiboshed by Covid this week. 
Earlier Manchester City announced their match with West Ham had been cancelled after five of their stars got coronavirus. 
This number includes four unnamed City aces who The Telegraph revealed had travelled to Dubai during the Christmas period.

The FA’s decision to allow two of the WSL’s big guns to postpone matches due to Covid outbreaks in their squad has been met with anger.
Association officials say City and Arsenal have proven they are not currently able to meet the minimum squad quota of 14 players.
However, fans on social media flagged Bristol being forced to field a team of academy kids against Man City in November after five Robins were self-isolating.
And some figures within the sport have accused the game’s authorities of having double standards. 
In a scathing post on Twitter Reading ace, Emma Mitchell accused the sport’s bigwigs of having alternate rules for different teams.
In her tweet published before the cancellation of Arsenal’s match, Mitchell wrote: “Cue the Arsenal game getting postponed..

Aston Villa will have to wait until January 17 to play their first league game this yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“We see you @BarclaysFAWSL @FA different rules for different teams.”
A new date for the Gunners’ clash with Villa is yet to be announced.
The Midlands side – who are currently second from bottom in the table – now have three games in hand on their WSL rivals.

Lionesses in training More

ALANNAH KENNEDY and Shelina Zadorsky have given Tottenham a January transfer boost by agreeing to permanent contracts with the club.
The former Orlando Pride pair, who were due to depart at the end of 2020, have agreed to permanent deals which will initially run until the end of the season

Alanna Kennedy is targetting a mid-table finish with Tottenham after agreeing to a permanent transferCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

Kennedy, who has been capped 87 times by Australia, has made 12 Spurs appearances across all competitions so far this term. 
The Matildas ace had initially made a temporary switch to the club after the Covid crisis shut down America’s National Women’s Soccer League season in 2020.
And the midfielder, 25, whose side will play Birmingham on Sunday, says she is targeting a mid-table finish with her team-mates. 
Kennedy told Tottenham’s website: “I’m so excited and happy to be here.

“When I signed there was always the potential for me to stay longer and when the decision had to be made, I didn’t feel ready to end my time here.
“As a team we’re moving in an upward direction and starting to show what we are capable of.
“I believe in our goals and want to help the team fulfil our potential this season.

“We have more to build on and more to give in this league. We want to lift the Club to where we think it should be and finish in the top half of the table.

“I’m looking forward to getting back out there this year.”
Tottenham, who suffered a blow with World Cup superstar Alex Morgan leaving the club to return to the USA, have also agreed to a permanent deal with Shelina Zardorsky. 
The Canada international, 27, reckons the decision to extend her stay in London was a straightforward one. 

Shelina Zadorsky says her decision to stay at Tottenham was an ‘easy one’ Credit: Alamy Live News
Zadorsky said: “It was an easy decision to make. As a group, moving up the table and giving our fans something to be proud of are our main goals.
“Personally, I also want to ensure we build a solid defence and keep more clean sheets.
“It’s a new chapter for the Club, our confidence is high and our aim is to push on from here.”

Lionesses in training More