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      Ballon d’Or slammed as ‘utter disgrace’ after Novak Djokovic hands over women’s award to Aitana Bonmati

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      THE BALLON D’OR was slammed as an “utter disgrace” after Novak Djokovic presented the women’s award.Aitana Bonmati was crowned Ballon d’Or Feminin winner at Monday night’s ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
      Novak Djokovic was chosen to present the Ballon d’Or FemininCredit: AP
      Aitana Bonmati collected the award after her stunning season for Barcelona and SpainCredit: AP

      Bonmati, 25, enjoyed a stunning 2022-23 season for club and country.
      The midfielder won the Primera Division, Women’s Champions League and Supercopa de Espana with Barcelona.
      She was then named player of the tournament after inspiring Spain to Women’s World Cup glory.
      Sam Kerr finished second in the vote while Barca and Spain star Salma Paralluelo was third.
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      However, furious fans flooded social media with negative comments that a male tennis player presented Bonmati with the iconic trophy.
      And others pointed out that world No1 Djokovic – who has a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles – has previously caused controversy with his comments suggesting men should be paid more than women in tennis.
      One said: “I don’t understand why Djokovic presented this. He’s not even a feminist or an ally of women’s sports! He has advocated against equal pay in tennis!!!”
      Another wrote: “Don’t really understand why we were hearing about Novak Djokovic’s achievements and career when the focus should have been on talented female players but anyway, there’s still a long way to go before women’s football is regarded as equal to the men’s game.”
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      A third added: “I really don’t understand why Djokovic was chosen to present the women’s Ballon d’Or. With the world watching that was an opportunity to celebrate women. An opportunity to promote gender equality. There’s a lot about tonight that failed women’s football.”
      A fourth commented: “Why have you got Novak Djokovic presenting the women’s award just to ask him about men’s football and nothing else? Come on.”
      A fifth quipped: “Presented by women’s football legend Novak Djokovic.”
      And a final user moaned: “Lmao, one of sport’s biggest p****s Novak ‘I think women should be paid less than men’ Djokovic invited to give out the women’s Ballon d’Or… the disrespect for women in this sport is a joke”
      Djokovic – who was also at the Rugby World Cup final with Rita Ora ahead of competing in this week’s Paris Masters – was also criticised for not handing over the trophy to Bonmati, instead reading out her name and shaking her hand with no silverware in sight.
      BUNGLE D’OR
      Bungling organisers backstage desperately brought the trophy out late with Bonmati ready to do her acceptance speech without getting her hands on the golden ball.
      France Football came under fire for bringing in the tennis legend to present the award – while the men got football icons.
      David Beckham gave Lionel Messi his eighth Ballon d’Or while Gary Lineker fulfilled the job for Erling Haaland’s Gerd Muller trophy and Eden Hazard did it as Jude Bellingham got the best young player gong.
      Emiliano Martinez received the Lev Yashin goalkeeper trophy from his dad and the Socrates Prize for the best social initiative was given to Vinicius Junior by Prince Albert of Monaco.
      Though the club of the year award takes into consideration men and women players, fans let rip for there being no under-21, goalkeeper or top goalscorer trophies for women.
      To make matters worse, plenty of of the top female footballers were unable to attend the gala event due to Women’s Nations League matches taking place this week, with England facing Belgium tonight.
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      Another fan wrote: “Ballon d’Or 2023. No awards for: Women’s U21 player, Women’s Gerd Muller, Women’s Lev Yashin. The Women’s award was presented by Novak Djokovic, a player who made it all about him rather than Aitana Bonmati. Utter disgrace.”
      And another supporter fumed: “We are living in the year of women’s football and we’re holding the Ballon d’Or in their international window and having Novak Djokovic present the award. The disrespect.”
      Lionel Messi received Ballon d’Or No8 from David BeckhamCredit: AP
      Djokovic is in Paris for the Masters 1000 tennis eventCredit: Reuters More

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      ‘People get frustrated when I’m injured. To hear that reaction when I came on was special’, says England ace Kirby

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      FRAN KIRBY says England fans’ reaction to her international return from a knee injury is a “special” moment she will not forget.The forward played for the Lionesses on Friday for the first time since last October and her recovery from a “frustrating” knee problem. 
      Fran Kirby’s England comeback coincided with a 1-0 win for Sarina Wiegman’s side against Belgium in the Women’s Nations LeagueCredit: Getty
      Ian Wright is among the pundits who have been eager to see Kirby back in action in an England shirtCredit: PA
      Kirby’s return was was warmly welcomed by her former England and Chelsea team-mate Karen CarneyCredit: Reuters
      Her entry in the 65th minute of England’s 1-0 defeat of Belgium was greeted enthusiastically by a crowd of more than 28,000 at the King Power.
      Many of whom roared whenever the Chelsea ace was within shooting distance during a lively Women’s Nations League encounter. 
      Kirby’s comeback was also hailed by Lioness pal Lucy Bronze, who describes the playmaker as “one of the best players in the world on her day.”
      The forward, whose side play Belgium again on Tuesday said: “The support I’ve had over the last year has been incredible from both sets of fans, national team and from Chelsea. 
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      “I can’t fault anyone for their support for me. 
      “That’s been really pivotal for me coming back because I know people get frustrated when I’m injured and not able to be out there.
      “It’s frustrating for me, so to hear that reaction when I come on is really special and something I won’t forget. 
      “I’ve been working really hard and wanting to get back out there on the pitch as much as possible.”
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      Kirby’s battle back to fitness follows the forward suffering a knee injury in February during the Blues’ 7-0 Conti Cup semis drubbing of West Ham. 
      It led to the 66-capped England star being sidelined for the rest of last season and missing this summer’s World Cup in Australia with the Lionesses beaten by Spain in the final in August. 
      And her return to the international stage followed her long-awaited Chelsea comeback in September.
      The playmaker made a second-half substitute apearance during the Blues dramatic 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
      Kirby added: “At the beginning of my injury it was quite tough because you don’t really know when the end of the injury will be. 
      “I accepted quite early on that I wasn’t going to be part of the World Cup squad, so, not that it made it any easier. 
      “But I was able to support the girls and kind of feel the same emotions that they were going through.
      “Being able to be back with them now just means that all the hard work paid off during the summer.”
      Kirby’s return has coincided with young England starlets Khiara Keating and Grace Clinton getting their first senior call-ups. 
      Man City keeper Keating has shone in goal for her club keeping four clean sheets in five league games whilst Man United midfielder Clinton has impressed on loan for Tottenham. 
      Kirby said: “I feel like I haven’t been away and obviously I know a lot of the girls from playing against them
      “Everyone that’s come in has brought a new fresh face and a new standard.
      “It’s been nice to be in training and get to know them a bit more personally. 
      “I don’t think I need to mould in at all, I’m probably one of the oldest players here now so I think I know what I’m doing.”
      Kirby’s comeback has coincided with England returning to winning ways in the Women’s Nations League after a surprise September loss to Holland. 
      And the team hope to rack up their goal tally against Belgium in the reverse fixture after netting once following seven shots on target. 
      Kirby said: “The most important thing is getting the three points in these types of games, it’s what we set out to do. 
      “Things have been quite similar at club (with Chelsea too).
      Kirby, skipper Millie Bright and their team-mates will face the Belgium away on Tuesday in the reverse Women’s Nations League fixtureCredit: Getty
      “We’ve been creating a lot of chances but not putting the ball in the back of the net
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      “Yes, we want to score more goals, we want to make it more entertaining for everyone coming to watch.
      “But first and foremost (it’s about the) three points.” More

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      England 1 Belgium 0: Lionesses leapfrog rivals in Nations League standings after Lauren Hemp goal & Mary Earps heroics

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      LAUREN HEMP helped England deliver a birthday weekend win for Sarina Wiegman as they overran Belgium in the Women’s Nations League on Friday night. Red Flames’ hopes of turning up the heat on their hosts were dampened by the Lionesses’ hungry attack and 1-0 win at the King Power.
      Lauren Hemp scored the only goal from close range in the first halfCredit: Getty
      Mary Earps made some outstanding saves to keep the clean sheetCredit: Getty
      This was despite a couple of nail-biting moments that produced some top draw saves from crowd favourite and ex-Leicester ace Mary Earps.
      The victory, watched by a lively 28,321-strong crowd, at the Foxes home saw England move up to second and level on points with group leaders Holland. 
      And Wiegman aces were boosted by Fran Kirby making her first Lionesses appearance since last October following her recovery a long-term knee injury.
      England were eager to bounce back after a 2-1 loss to Holland and going five games without a clean sheet. 
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      They overwhelmed the visitors pinning them deep in their half for large chunks of the game including the opening nine minutes. 
      It took just a minute for the hosts to mount their first attack with Niamh Charles dangerous run into the box 
      And Belgium’s backline looked all over the shop when Lauren Hemp saw a shot palmed away from goal before Ella Toone’s effort rolled inches wide of the post. 
      Against the run of play Justine Vanhaevermaet – Belgium’s most dangerous player in attack – forced an impressive 10th minute Earps stop from her towering header.
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      Fran Kirby returned from injuryCredit: Getty
      England took a deserved lead two minutes later after with Hemp slotting home from a corner following skipper Millie Bright’s header 
      And they went close near the half hour mark with the ball whizzing past Alessia Russo near the half hour mark. 
      The second spell saw England maintain the pressure with Alex Greenwood’s curled free-kick prompting a fine Nicky Evrard save 
      This was shortly after Earps classy stop of Sarah Wijnants long range thumper with 34 minutes of normal time left. 
      Wiegman, who turned 54 on Thursday, shuffled her deck with Rachel Daly and Kirby entering the fray in the 65th minute for Russo and Toone.
      Her side saw out the win ahead of the clash with Belgium in Leuven on Tuesday.
      The Lionesses face Belgium again on TuesdayCredit: Reuters More

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      I won Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker to kickstart pro career but I had to relearn to walk after rare illness

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      ASHLEIGH GODDARD overcame strong competition to win Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker in 2009.The Londoner won Series Two of the iconic Sky One show, which was watched by 600,000 people each week, before earning a scholarship to play at an American college.
      Ashleigh Goddard won Series Two of Wayne Rooney’s Street StrikerCredit: Sky One/Wayne Rooney’s Street Striker
      After four years at DePaul University in Chicago, including two as captain, she returned to Europe and launched her pro career with Danish side FC Nordsjaelland.
      Following a stint with Cypriot team Apollon, who she helped qualify for the Champions League, Goddard returned to these shores with Crystal Palace in 2019.
      The Eagles had ambitions to be promoted to the Women’s Super League, but a freak incident left things hanging in the balance for Goddard.
      Explaining the incident that changed her life, she told the BBC: “I went to receive the ball from a throw-in and I think her forearm hit me in the back of the head or the neck and I was unconscious for a few seconds.”
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      Persistent headaches followed and in January 2020, Goddard went to hospital for a scan.
      It was then revealed that she had a brain arteriovenous malformation – which affects the blood vessels connecting arteries to veins.
      That March Goddard was told she’d need surgery, as her initial issue had developed into a terrifying brain aneurysm.
      On the stark nature of her situation, she later revealed: “They said it would burst at some point in my lifetime.
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      Goddard, 31, has suffered with terrifying health issuesCredit: INSTAGRAM @goddardashleigh
      “They couldn’t say if it would be tomorrow or in 20 years, but that I needed treatment. They said it would be either fatal or that it would cause a life-changing disability.”
      Goddard eventually went under the knife to solve the issue in 2021… only to suffer another life-altering complication.
      She continued: “I woke up and I couldn’t move my left side, I was paralysed.
      It was the worst thing other than dying that could have happenedAshleigh Goddard
      “I couldn’t talk, my face had dropped, my arm couldn’t do the most basic of movements. They told me something was wrong but I would have never guessed a stroke.
      “It was the worst thing other than dying that could have happened.”
      Incredibly, despite having to relearn how to walk following her stroke, Goddard managed to return to action for London Bees just six months later.
      On what came next, she added: “I had to learn to walk again, I had to learn how to use a knife and fork again and when it came to football I had to learn it all again.
      “I did thousands of reps of each type of pass and each touch and eventually things just started to get easier.”
      Goddard, 31, has continued to inspire with her recovery, and joined AFC Wimbledon in the summer.
      She had previously trained with the Dons as she stepped up her rehabilitation, and was delighted to be able to return.
      Upon sealing her move, she said: “When I first visited, everyone was so nice and supportive of me and what had happened, and that really stuck with me.
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      “It was a no-brainer for me that I wanted to come back here and give a good season. There’s only one aim, and that’s promotion!”
      Boss Kevin Foster then said of her: “Not only will she bring quality on the pitch, but her character is one of the best you will see in football.”
      Goddard joined AFC Wimbledon in the summer
      The 31-year-old previously played for London BeesCredit: Rex More

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      Lioness ace Keating happy to be ‘role model’ and aims to be first goalkeeper of colour to play for England Women

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      KHIARA KEATING is eyeing the chance to make history as the first goalkeeper of mixed race heritage to play for a Lionesses senior side. The England starlet hopes to inspire girls from minority ethnic communities dreaming of playing at football’s highest levels. 
      Khiara Keating has kept three clean sheets in four WSL games for Manchester City so far this seasonCredit: Getty
      Keating’s impressive Man City form led to her first senior England call-up ahead of the Lionesses’ matches against BelgiumCredit: Getty
      Keating, who has had a stunning start to this season, was speaking on Wednesday – seven days after getting her first senior international call-up from Sarina Wiegman.  
      The team are set to take on Belgium on Friday night at the King Power in the first game of a Women’s Nations League double header.
      The Manchester City starlet has kept three clean sheets in four WSL games this term
      Keating, said: “Coming from a background of colour, there’s not many of us, I think we’re starting to see a rise.
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      “I’m just happy that I could be an inspiration to anyone out there that’s thinking, ‘maybe I will get judged or maybe it’s not for me’,
      “I feel like I’m just grateful to be in a position where I can be a role model to people.”
      Keating, who has emerged as a first XI regular for Man City this season, has the highest save percentage in the top-flight this term. 
      And the Manchester-born shot stopper, who made her senior club debut last January, says her call-up brought tears to her mothers eyes. 
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      Keating added: “She was super proud when I FaceTimed her after I’d just got off the phone with Sarina. 
      “She was in denial and she was like, ‘Khiara, you’re lying, stop lying’. 
      “She (was joking) wasn’t being serious and then she obviously hit the emotional stage where she started crying. 
      Keating hopes her success for club and country will inspire girls from minority ethnic backgrounds hoping to get into footballCredit: Getty
      “She’s never going to admit it to anyone that she cried but she did. 
      “I think she is just extremely proud as are my brothers who have seen me on the sidelines at their games, to being called up to the (England) seniors.
      “They’re just so so proud.” More

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      If I hadn’t been a footballer I’d have been a pilot and played a totally different sport – now I’m chasing the title

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      LENA PETERMANN may have been reaching heights of a different kind rather than fuelling Leicester’s rise had her football career not taken off.The forward, 29, admits becoming a pilot could have been on the cards had she not followed her sporting dreams during her childhood in Germany.
      Lena Petermann has hit the ground running for Leicester scoring two goals in three WSL gamesCredit: Getty
      Petermann and her team-mates hope to continue their unbeaten run when they host Manchester City at the King Power this eveningCredit: Getty
      Petermann, whose Leicester side are second in the league, said: “I always wanted to be a pilot but that’s changed completely!  
      “I also played table tennis and I was quite good at it.
      “If football hadn’t worked out (for me) I probably would have stuck to table tennis and maybe become a pilot.
      “It was about the age of 14 that I was also playing table tennis, but I couldn’t do both (table tennis and football) anymore. 

      “I then had to make a decision and it was quite easy for me that I would stick to football.
      “That’s because by then I also started to play for a regional team so I was one hundred per cent sure that I am going follow football.”
      It was a decision that paid off for Petermann who began her senior playing career with German side Hamburg at the age of 15.
      Following three seasons there she would spend 2013 playing US women’s college football netting eight goals in 21 appearances for Florida University’s UCF Nights team.  
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      Spells at SC Freiburg, Turbine Potsdam and Montpellier, preceded a July Foxes move for the forward who scored 25 goals in 48 appearances for the French side. 
      Two goals in three WSL games – including a bullet header against Bristol – has seen her become the top scorer so far this term for Willie Kirk’s side.
      His team will face one of their toughest side who host league leaders Man City at the King Power this evening
      Petermann  added: “I really enjoy this club and the feeling of it. 
      “It was really easy for me to get into (being with) the team.
      “After a couple of weeks, it felt like I’ve been in this team for quite a long time.
      “My teammates made it so easy for me and the staff too. How they’ve treated me made it really easy for me to settle in. 
      “I think you can see it now with my first performances that I feel good here.”
      Since its inception in 2011 the WSL has seen scores of top talents from Germany make moves to the division including Chelsea trio Ann-Katrin Berger, Melanie Leupolz and Sjoeke Nusken.
      Aside from Petermann, Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig and Brighton forward Pauline Bremer are among those who sealed permanent switches  
      This summer saw the duo transfer from Bayern Munich and two-time Champions League winners Wolfsburg. 
      Petermann said: “This is one of the best. It is the best I think. It has a lot of qualities and that’s why it’s so interesting for foreigners as well. 
      Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig is among Leicester’s summer signings who have impressed for the clubCredit: Getty
      “I think the German league is also at a good level but at some point it didn’t develop so much more than here in England. 
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      “This is why I think some German players want to do this move.
      “They want to perform at the best levels and this is definitely here in this league.” More

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      ‘I have too much respect for teams across Europe to talk negatively about them’, says Emma Hayes

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      EMMA HAYES believes it is arrogant to suggest Europe’s best teams are not reaching the Women’s Champions League group stages. However the Chelsea boss believes the qualifying route needs to be looked at in terms of a possible group phase expansion and Europa league. 
      Emma Hayes thinks a larger group stage similar to that in the men’s Champions League would be worth considering for the women’s contestCredit: Reuters
      Hayes’ Chelsea side are the only English team left competing in the tournament this seasonCredit: Getty
      Manchester United chief Marc Skinner believes there is scope for a “broader scale of teams” in the contestCredit: Getty
      Hayes was sharing her thoughts amid recent debate concerning the qualifying process to enter the tournament’s group stage. 
      Her comments’ follow remarks made by Manchester United boss Marc Skinner after his side were knocked out in round two of the qualifying phase by Paris Saint-Germain. 
      On Wednesday after the game, the Red Devils chief said it was “crazy” his team had to face PSG in the qualifiers. 
      He also talked of wanting to see “the best teams in the Champions League” group stage rather than a “spread of average” sides. 
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      However the Man United later apologised for” any offence taken” in response to his comment while calling for “a broader scale of teams” in the competition.
      Skinner said: “It’s easy to twist words, but if there was any offence taken then I am sorry for that. 
      “My comment was much more about the breadth and quality.
      “I believe now that there is a need for more teams to be in this competition and then we will see who is average and who is not. 
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      “We might have been average in the group stage, we don’t know that? But we played a good team (in PSG).”
      In terms of English clubs in this season’s contest only the current WSL title-holders (Chelsea) were guaranteed automatic entry to the group stage. 
      Meanwhile United who finished second last season and Arsenal who finished third had to compete in qualifiers prior to this phase.  
      Hayes said: “I don’t want to talk disrespectfully about any team in Europe, particularly knowing that we are a team that have lost to many teams in early rounds in our infancy as much as going out of a group stage two years ago. 
      “I have way too much respect for the competition and teams across Europe to talk negatively about any of them.
      “I think that’s ignorant and arrogant all at once. 
      “Roma and Benfica are two teams who won their leagues.
      “They deserve perhaps to go straight into a group competition. 
      “But this isn’t about my opinion, this is what the format is and we have to play that.
      “However, do we need to look at that? Absolutely we need to.
      “Do we need to look at that in line with the growth of the women’s game to say, ‘well, actually, there’s a lot more investment across many leagues?
      “And perhaps (whether) we should consider a format that’s similar to that of the men’s competition, where it’s group stages from the off but maybe larger?
      “But also we have to look at the smaller nations – they deserve the opportunity and the right to be in it as much as any English team does.”
      The Blues, who face Brighton at home in the WSL on Sunday, were among 16 teams involved in Friday’s group stage draw for the contest
      They have been drawn in Group D alongside Real Madrid, BK Hacken and giant killers Paris FC who knocked out Arsenal and this year’s finalists Wolfsburg. 
      Following the Gunners and United’s exits, Hayes side are the only English team left in this season’s tournament. 
      The Blues gaffer added:  “We’ve been in the Champions League a long time to know that this is a really tough competition and we’ve got a lot to prepare for.
      Chelsea have been drawn in Group D in the Women’s Champions League alongside Real Madrid (pictured), BK Hacken and Paris FCCredit: EPA
      “Everybody is a good team so we respect all the opponents that we might face and we know Real Madrid is a top team.
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      “(BK) Hacken is a top team performing really well and Paris FC have deservedly progressed into the group stage. 
      “It (the contest) needs simplifying, it needs expanding. It needs a Europa League conversation. It needs all of those things.”
      Women’s Champions League – Group stage teamsGROUP A
      Barcelona
      FC Rosengard
      Benfica
      Eintracht Frankfurt
      GROUP B
      Lyon
      Slavia Praha
      SKN St Polten
      SK Brann
      GROUP C
      Bayern Munich
      Paris Saint-Germain
      AS Roma
      Ajax
      GROUP D
      Chelsea
      Real Madrid
      BK Hacken
      Paris FC More

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      Part-time footballers face fines for failing to bring in cakes or leaving bar early after game

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      PART-time footballers face fines for failing to bring in cakes or leaving the bar early after a game.They also have to fork out for talking back to the boss or speaking to fans online.
      The Havant & Waterlooville FC boss is causing a stir in non-league footballCredit: 2020 Getty Images
      Steve King has implemented the harsh fines on his playersCredit: Havantandwaterloovillefc.co.uk
      The strict rules were brought in by Steve King, the manager at National League South bottom club Havant & Waterlooville FC.
      He took over at the Hampshire side last month.
      Under his regime players face a £50 fine for failing to stay in the bar after a home match until 5.45pm.
      And there is a £25 penalty if they do not bring in cakes when it’s their turn, or supply a “bad selection”.
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      Talking back to the boss is a £150 fine, while being late on matchday is £100.
      Players, who earn around £300 to £400 a week and often have second jobs, can be docked a week’s wages if they “comment on club social media posts” and “respond to fan comments regarding the football club”.
      King’s list appeared online, and one fan said: “Who would want to play for him?”
      The club said it is investigating.
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      King has previously been in charge at Gloucester City, Dartford, Farnborough, Lewes and Whitehawk. More