Women’s football

ENGLAND’S Lionesses could go on strike amid a bitter pay row with the FA, according to reports.Players were understood to be seeking around £100,000 each in bonuses had they won the World Cup Down Under.
England were beaten by Spain in the women’s World Cup finalCredit: Rex
After losing 1-0 to Spain in the final, they were willing to accept half that amount.
According to the Mail, players are set for “crunch talks” with FA chiefs next week.
They claim that players are “aware” of their possible actions and could choose to press on with the “nuclear option” of ceasing all commercial work for the FA.
It’s even claimed that they could refuse to play until a resolution is reached, although this option has “not yet been directly suggested”.
Read More Football Stories
England’s pay from the FA is currently negotiated before or after each tournament – although players want more “clarity” moving forward.
This cash pot comes from prize money and commercial revenue received by the FA for the players’ performances.
Prior to the women’s World Cup, the FA imposed commercial restrictions on their own players.
This was because chiefs were concerned that individual player deals could upset their own.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
The FA’s decision cost their players potentially huge sums in endorsements.
At the time, captain Millie Bright wrote in a statement: “Last year we presented the FA with concerns relating to our bonus and commercial structures. The hope was that discussions would lead to a solution before the commencement of our World Cup.
“We are disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved.
“With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament.
“We collectively feel a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game. And while our focus now switches fully to the tournament ahead, we believe every tackle, pass and goal will contribute to the work we are committed to doing off the pitch.
“We look forward to playing for our country (at) this World Cup, with pride, passion and perseverance.”
Players did earn cash sums from Fifa for their World Cup performances.
England stars each received £153,000 from world football’s governing body.
While victorious Spain players were paid £210k each.
Read More on The Sun
The Lionesses are back in action for the first time since their World Cup final heartache in 12 days time.
Key talks will take place between players and FA chiefs ahead of the Nations League clash with Scotland on September 22.
The Lionesses went all the way to the final Down UnderCredit: Getty More

ELLA TOONE has been pictured looking loved-up with her non-league footballer boyfriend Joe Bunney.The couple were seen enjoying a well-earned break in Manchester after Toone’s Women’s World Cup exploits with England.
Ella Toone looked loved-up with boyfriend Joe BunneyCredit: Splash
Toone sported a stylish look in ManchesterCredit: Splash
Toone scored once as she helped the Lionesses reach the final for the first time.
After returning from Australia last week following the loss to Spain, Toone was snapped with Bunney in Manchester on Tuesday.
The pair packed on the PDA after the forward made an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
She was also interviewed by Sky Sports News earlier in the day.
READ MORE LIONESSES NEWS
Toone wore a beige blazer and trousers as she smiled and laughed with Bunney.
The Stalybridge Celtic defender was pictured hugging her from behind before Toone stopped to pose for photos with fans.
Earlier in the day, Toone had called for Spanish FA chief Luis Rubiales to resign during an interview with the BBC.
Rubiales is under pressure to quit after he kissed Spain captain Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.
Most read in Football
Toone and Bunney packed on the PDA in a series of snapsCredit: Splash
The Lionesses star had appeared on BBC BreakfastCredit: Splash
“Spain were unbelievable throughout the tournament,” explained Toone.
“They won the World Cup, which should be the main talking point.
“It’s overshadowed by something that happened after the game, which isn’t acceptable and the Lionesses all stand behind Jenni Hermoso.”
It is unknown how long Toone and Bunney have been together since meeting through mutual pals.
29-year-old Bunney is a devoted Manchester City fan, despite Toone playing for their fierce rivals Manchester United.
Toone and Bunney met through mutual palsCredit: Splash
Bunney plays non-league football for Stalybridge CelticCredit: Splash
The pair have a private relationship but have been known to share loved-up snaps on social media.
Bunney jetted out to Ibiza with Toone last summer as they celebrated England’s Euros triumph on the party island.
Toone also regularly attends his matches when she is not in action herself.
Although she has revealed she is often mobbed for autographs and photos by fans when she is in the crowd. More

‘KISSGATE’ football chief Luis Rubiales’ mum has said she is prepared to die to get “justice” for her son.Retired hairdresser Angeles Bejar is now more than 24 hours into the hunger strike she launched yesterday morning at a church in the Costa resort of Motril near Malaga.
Luis Rubiales sparked controversy when he kissed Jennifer HermosoCredit: Getty
Angeles Bejar, left, has gone on a hunger strikeCredit: EPA
She told a Spanish TV station in a dramatic WhatsApp exchange from her religious refuge: “I will stay here as long as my body holds out.
“I don’t mind dying for justice because my son is a decent person and it’s not fair what they’re doing.”
Overnight it was claimed she snuck into the Divina Pastora Church near her first-floor apartment home by telling a cleaner she was going to “say a prayer” for Luis, now facing a criminal probe in his homeland for kissing player Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s World Cup Women’s win over England in Australia just over a week ago.
Angeles, 72, is said to have taken advantage of the moment the cleaning lady entered the church to mop up the floor and dust down the pews.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
The feisty OAP picked her moment while the priest was on holiday, a Spanish local claimed.
She remained inside this morning with her sister-in-law Mari Carmen, with a doctor expected to make a new visit later to check Angeles is doing okay if she decides to continue with her extraordinary protest.
She is thought to be drinking liquids, with reports water and isotonic drinks are inside the church sparking speculation she could be inside for several more days.
The whereabouts of her son, who has been suspended for 90 days by Fifa, is unknown.
Most read in Football
Rubiales refused to step downCredit: AP
Hermoso has insisted the kiss was not consensualCredit: Rex
He travelled to Motril for a holiday on Saturday despite the town hall’s cancellation of a football match he was due to take part in with friends at a municipal stadium for “security reasons.”
He is said to have met with some of his football pals at a country house just outside of town on Saturday afternoon, but has not been seen in public since he shocked the world by refusing to resign at an extraordinary Spanish FA general assembly last Friday.
Family friend Maria Mora has claimed Luis is having difficulties talking with his mum.
She claimed yesterday: “He’s very worried, he’s having a terrible day because he hasn’t been able to speak with her and he’s feeling terrible.
“He doesn’t know what to do because for him his mother is the most important person in the world and she’s in that church.
“He can’t communicate with her or do anything with her.”
A mass is scheduled to take place at the church tonight and it is unclear whether police will return to the church today to try to persuade Angeles to end her protest.
The priest is believed to have cut short his holiday but has so far refused to comment.
Motril’s second-highest ranking police officer went to the church yesterday and spoke to Angeles as well as the doctor who attended her.
He said afterwards: “She’s doing okay given her age.”
State prosecutors at Spain’s Audiencia Nacional court in Madrid have opened a preliminary investigation into the post-World Cup kiss that has shaken the world of football amid allegations it was an abuse of power and a sexual assault.
They also offered Hermoso, who has insisted she did not give Rubiales permission to kiss her, the chance to join in legal action against the 46-year-old divorced dad-of-three who has claimed their kiss was consensual.
Spanish Football Federation regional leaders called on Rubiales, who apologised for grabbing his crotch in front of Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter Sofia in the same post-match celebrations in Sydney, to resign at an emergency meeting in Madrid yesterday.
All 23 players on Spain’s World Cup-winning team have said they will not play international games while Rubiales remains in his post.
Yesterday Spain’s deputy prime minister Yolanda Diaz weighed into the row over the football boss’ behaviour, saying it showed ‘the worst of Spanish society.’
Two of Rubiales’ female cousins were among those who turned up at the church where his mum is on hunger strike yesterday to defend him.
Vanesa Ruiz Bejar insisted: “There’s a campaign of harassment occurring that is very unfair.
“Luis’ mum who is a very religious person has sought refuge in God and started a hunger strike.
“She doesn’t want to come out of the church. We are all suffering a lot because of what’s happened to Luis which doesn’t seem at all fair to us.
“He’s been condemned already without being tried. It’s not normal. We won’t to be left alone. The facts speak for them, there are videos, there are audio recordings.”
In a direct message to player Hermoso, she added: “Jenni, say the truth.’
“Why has she changed her version three times? We have suffered a lot, we have had to leave our homes because of the harassment we’re suffering.
“We won’t to be left alone and see justice done and we want this woman to tell the truth. Jenni, ‘tell the truth!”
She went on to say Angeles Bejar, Luis’ mum, was in a very distressed state, adding: “She’s an elderly lady whose health is very delicate and she’s suffering a lot.
“She’s crying all time and is not able to sleep and is not eating.
“The person that spends five minutes with Luis knows he’s a really good person with a big heart. He’s a very noble person.”
Asked when Angeles’ hunger strike would continue until, she said referring to Hermoso: “Until that woman speaks and tells the truth. I’m not saying who’s the baddie and who’s the goodie here, but I just want Hermoso to tell the truth.”
Hermoso, 33, who plays for Mexican side Pachuca, has said in a statement of the kiss: “I want to make clear that not in any moment did the conversation occur that Mr Luis Rubiales references, and much less that his kiss was consensual.
“In the same way I want to reiterate how I did in that moment that what happened was not enjoyable.
Read More on The Sun
“The situation left me in shock because of the context of the celebration, and with the time passed, and those initial feelings being able to sink, I feel the need to denounce this as I feel that no one, in no work space, sporting or social, should be a victim to this time of unconsensual behaviour.
“I felt vulnerable and a victim of aggression, an impulsive act, sexist, out of place and without any type of consent from my part. In short, I wasn’t respected.” More

CHLOE KELLY has been taking a well-earned break after her exploits at the Women’s World Cup.The England star was pictured on holiday in Ibiza.
Chloe Kelly was pictured enjoying a holiday in IbizaCredit: Instagram @chloekelly
She shared the snaps, including one alongside boyfriend Scott Moore, to her InstagramCredit: Instagram @chloekelly
Kelly, 25, featured in all seven games at the Australia tournament.
She scored once, but was unable to repeat her heroics from the Euro 2022 final as the Lionesses fell to a 1-0 defeat against Spain.
Despite the bitter taste of defeat, there was national pride in a the remarkable achievement of making England’s first World Cup final since 1966.
Following the final, Sarina Weigman’s Lionesses jetted home from Sydney.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Kelly has since headed to Ibiza to unwind.
She shared a photo to her Instagram page wearing a Burberry bikini top and crochet cream trousers.
Her post was captioned: “Much needed R&R time ☀️🤍🌴.”
Kelly added sunglasses, black sliders and a pair of wristbands to her look as she posed in front of the camera.
Most read in Football
In a second photo she was pictured alongside boyfriend Scott Moore.
The pair have been dating for four years, and are often seen together in loved-up snaps on Instagram.
Kelly played in all seven of England’s games at the World CupCredit: Getty
She scored once in AustraliaCredit: Getty
Kelly jetted back from Sydney with the rest of the Lioness squadCredit: Splash
She scored the winner at Euro 2022 and had an iconic celebrationCredit: Reuters More