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      Seventeen Women’s FA Cup second round games AXED due to Covid-19 restrictions

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      ALL but one of the 18 Women’s FA Cup ties scheduled for this weekend have been CANCELLED due to coronavirus restrictions. 
      Liverpool Feds’ clash with Huddersfield Town is the only second round match going ahead with much of the nation now under Tier 4 guidelines.

      Seventeen second round Women’s FA Cup games have been AXED due to Covid-19 restrictions

      Football chiefs are expecting to reschedule fixtures at a later date along with a first round encounter between Kent United and Enfield Town which is yet to be played. 
      And officials say they are liaising with the government on managing health and safety of players and club staff at cup fixtures.
      Women’s Super League and Championship sides will enter the competition’s draw from the fourth round onwards.
      In a statement, the FA said: “The Government announced further COVID-19 regulations across the UK, with the majority of the country now under Tier 4 restrictions. 

      “As a result, all but one of this weekend’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup second round ties will be postponed and rearranged for a later date.
      “We are working with the Government to find a way to reschedule these Vitality Women’s FA Cup matches at the earliest opportunity while ensuring that we maintain our priority of keeping our players, officials and everyone involved on a matchday safe.
      “Further details will be confirmed in due course.”
      The Covid-19 pandemic has cast a shadow over the women’s game for much of this year.  

      Liverpool Feds’ match with Huddersfield is the only second round Women’s FA Cup going aheadCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      In addition to curtailing last season, a spate of positive coronavirus results led to the cancellation of two top-flight games in the weekend before Christmas.  
      And this month 32 Covid-19 tests returned positive out of 864 conducted in the WSL and Women’s Championship. 
      This is the highest number of coronavirus cases announced since weekly testing in the women’s top tiers began.

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      USA star Megan Rapinoe springs to Karen Carney’s defence after Leeds promotion comment row

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      MEGAN RAPINOE has hit out at Leeds United’s official Twitter account for its response to Karen Carney’s comments after the club’s victory at West Brom. 
      The two-time World Cup winner is among the influential women’s football figures who criticised the post for mocking the Amazon Prime pundit’s reflections.

      Megan Rapinoe (left) has come to Karen Carney’s defence following the pundit’s comments concerning LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      In a tweet shared with her 915,000 followers, the USA star, 35, describes Carney as “a national treasure”. 
      The rest of the caption posted by the OL Reign winger reads: “Shame. Shame. Shame. Thicken up that skin y’all. Don’t come for Karen Carney.”

      Leeds ran out a 5-0 victory against Sam Allardyce’s side, picking up their seventh Prem win this term.
      The club moved up to eleventh in the table after Romaine Sawyers’ shocking own goal set them on their way, with Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Raphinha all also target in the rout. 

      After the match, Carney, who enjoyed seven trophy-laden seasons at Arsenal and Chelsea, was debating if Marcelo Bielsa’s side could maintain their frenetic style of play for the rest of the term.
      And the former Lionesses star suggested the coronavirus pandemic pausing last season may have been a factor in the Elland Road club’s promotion to the top flight.
      Following the match Carney, 33, said: “They outrun everyone and credit to them.
      “My only concern would be, will they blow up at the end of the season like the last couple of seasons?

      “I actually think they got promoted because of Covid in terms of it giving them a bit of respite.

      Karen Carney has queried whether Leeds will be able to maintain their current style of play throughout the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I don’t know if they’d have got up if they didn’t have that break.”
      Carney’s analysis was followed by a response from Leeds’ Twitter account that prompted more than 6,000 comments including sexist remarks from some quarters.                                        
      Some commentators in the game have criticised the club’s account accusing it of encouraging ‘a pile-on’ targeting the ex-Blues winger.
      And Chelsea’s Beth England and the Women in Football lobby group slammed the post for being “inappropriate” and setting Carney up for “online abuse”. 

      Whether you agree with the comment or not, singling out & ridiculing an individual on an official club account is not what we’re here for. Karen Carney is a well-informed pundit. This tweet is inciteful & inappropriate. Not a good look now, or at any time.#WomeninFootball https://t.co/0kosRyCZ9x
      — Women in Football (@WomeninFootball) December 30, 2020

      Leeds officials have condemned the vitriol aimed at Carney and have invited the pundit to report on the club’s FA Cup third-round match against Crawley. 
      In its statement the club said: “Leeds United completely condemns any abuse received by Karen Carney on social media following last night’s Premier League game with West Bromwich Albion. 
      “Everyone at our club respects Karen greatly for all she has achieved in the game, as well as her work in the media and the charity work she undertakes.”        

      Amazon pundit Karen Carney claims Leeds were only promoted because of Covid More

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      Tobin Heath hails ‘special goal’ that helped Manchester United turn the tables on their title rivals

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      TOBIN HEATH has praised Manchester United’s character with the team heading into January as WSL leaders for the first time in the club’s history. 
      And the USA ace highlighted her thunderstrike against Man City as an important goal to score during one of United’s “poorest halves” this term. 

      Tobin Heath and Man United are currently in pole position in the WSLCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

      The Red Devils, who take on Everton in their first game of the new year, have yet to lose a match in the league this term. 
      But they came close to being defeated on home turf when Gareth Taylor’s players went 2-0 up in the first half of their first derby encounter this season. 
      But a Kirsty Hanson goal and Heath’s top corner shot saved the day with Casey Stoney’s side sharing the spoils with Man City. 
      Heath told Man United’s website: “We got a lot of things wrong in the first half. It was one of our poorest halves in terms of performance. 

      “But the character of the team in being able to turn around a 2-0 deficit at half-time and being able to actually almost win the game is important.
      “To be able to give the team the boost that was needed in the appropriate time is my responsibility. 
      “It is a responsibility that I love and I think it is important for this group to never let up.
      “You have to create a moment for the team and create momentum because that’s important. 

      “Just being able to give the team that spark, that energy, that belief is critical
      “And it will be important throughout the season to be able to have moments like that because momentum in football changes, but our attitude and belief has to stay the same.”

      Tobin Heath, Millie Turner and their team-mates travel to Everton for their first game of 2021 Credit: Rex Features

      Tobin Heath has netted four goals in seven WSL appearances Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      United, who are four points ahead of Arsenal who are second, have a potentially tricky opening start to their new year. 
      A tantalising clash with Chelsea, who have gone unbeaten in the league in 2020, will follow their trip to Walton Hall Park. 
      And Emma Hayes’s side, who are six points behind the leaders, have two games in hand following the postponement before their final match before Christmas.

      WSL stars under fire for appearing to ‘break Covid rules’ as West Ham and Arsenal players jet off on luxury trips – the sun More

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      Goteborg dissolves women’s team weeks after Champions League loss to Manchester City

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      Göteborg FC have stunned women’s football by announcing the closing down of its title-winning side. 
      The team, who were beaten by Manchester City in round 32 of this term’s Champions League, have withdrawn from Sweden’s Premier Women’s division for 2021. 

      Goteburg officials announced the closure of its women team ahead of the 2021 season of Sweden’s Women’s Premier DivisionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Sweden’s Pauline Hammerlund is among the international players currently without a clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And it is reported their closure will mean that nine members of the country’s national team are currently without a club. 
      Players include Emma Kullberg, Pauline Hammerlund and Sweden Women’s stopper Jennifer Falk who were part of the side defeated by Man City.
      Göteborg, who were established in 1970, had won the gold medal in the country’s top-flight last term. 
      Past players of the side, who are two-time winners of Sweden’s Ladies Cup, include Manchester United’s Christen Press and her USA team-mate Hope Solo. 

      On its web site, the club stated that it would not be able to match what it described as  “large investments” poured into women’s sides such as Lyon, Bayern Munich, Man City and Manchester United. 
      In a statement on its site the club said: “Internationally, women’s football has developed enormously in Europe in recent years. 
      “Large men’s clubs, such as Lyon, PSG, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Manchester United, Barcelona and Juventus, among others, have realised the value of women’s football, make large investments and have given women’s football resources that it is not possible for us to match.
      “We have created a great interest in women’s football in Gothenburg and shown that it is possible to establish oneself at the top and even win a Swedish Championship gold, as long as one has a clear goal that creates challenges and motivation. 

      “The elite clubs in Gothenburg must now spin on this.
       “If you do that, we are convinced that women’s football in Gothenburg will quickly take new steps forward.
      “Because the tradition-laden and reputable clubs, with their organizations and many supporters, create conditions for women’s football in Gothenburg, we believe that our project is complete and therefore Kopparbergs / Göteborg FC will close down its elite team for the Allsvenskan season 2021.”
      Club chairman Peter Brosnan said: “For almost 20 years, we have developed and driven women’s football in Gothenburg and Sweden forward. 

      Goteborg were knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City over two legsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “Stepping on the same old footsteps is not something we believe in. 
      “In order to assert itself internationally, I am convinced that women’s football should be integrated into and be an equal part, to take part in the same resources as men’s football, in an elite club. 
       “It is, of course, a sad decision for us to make in the short term, but seen over the long term, it is definitely the right decision to make now.”

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      Chelsea ‘underdog’ Ann-Katrin Berger celebrated despite missing out on Fifa keeper award and targets club success

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      ANN-KATRIN BERGER admits to being unbothered by missing out on one of the women’s games top goalkeeping awards this year.
      And the Chelsea ace, who emerged as one of the WSL’s best stoppers after overcoming thyroid cancer, still sees herself as an underdog in the sport. 

      Ann-Katrin Berger says she sees herself as “an underdog” despite her success on the pitchCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      Berger, who made a switch to Kingsmeadow from Birmingham in January 2019, has seen her club career thrive under Emma Hayes. 
      The Germany international, 30, who will take on Reading in the Blues first league outing of 2021, has kept seven clean sheets in 12 games across all competitions for this term. 
      And her performances for the WSL champs, who have gone unbeaten in the league this year, earned the former PSG player a Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper nomination.
      Berger told Fifa’s website: “It wasn’t a disappointment when I didn’t win, because I still see myself as an underdog. 

      “When I was nominated, I was the only goalkeeper yet to make their debut for their country. 
      “I went on the assumption that I wouldn’t win and still celebrated my nomination as a victory.
      “Apart from the pandemic, it was a very successful year for me – both individually and also for my team. 
      “Based on that, I’d say that while the pandemic obviously happened, I didn’t want to focus too much on it and preferred to concentrate on the sporting side of things instead. 

      “It was my safe place, as it were – that was all there was as far as I was concerned. It gave me more time to work on myself.” 

      Ann Katrin-Berger was nominated for a Best Fifa Women’s Goalkeeper award which went to Lyon’s Sarah BouhaddiCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Berger left France’s top-flight in 2016 to become Birmingham City’s No1 between the sticks in the Women’s Super League. 
      And she caught the eye of Blues boss Emma Hayes when she made 11 saves including a penalty stop to help Birmingham knockout Chelsea in the 2017 Women’s FA Cup semi-finals. 
      In November that year the Germany star was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and would later undergo an operation and radiotherapy treatment. 
      But the WSL ace would go on to make her comeback four months later and seal a move to Chelsea in 2019. 
      Berger added: “I’ve always been the kind of person who isn’t fazed by challenges – they spur me on. 

      Ann-Katrin Berger and Chelsea are targetting WSL and Champions League trophy wins in 2021Credit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
      “I’ve now been nominated as one of the top six goalkeepers in the world and in England, I was named in the team of the year. 
      “I want to consolidate that and make sure it wasn’t a one-off. 
      “2020 finished off well in sporting terms and I want to carry that over into 2021.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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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

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      WOMEN’S Super League stars could be in for a Covid grilling after appearing to break Government rules by jetting off on luxury Christmas trips.
      West Ham’s Alisha Lehmann is in the Maldives with her partner Ramona Bachmann while Arsenal star Katie McCabe flew to Dubai.

      West Ham star Alisha Lehmann posted videos of her in the MaldivesCredit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

      The Hammers ace uploaded the footage to TikTokCredit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

      Arsenal star Katie McCabe also uploaded a picture from the beach in Dubai

      All WSL players in Tier 4 areas – which included London – were warned by their clubs not to go away for the Christmas break – despite some not having seen their families since March because of Covid-19.
      Those warnings were strictly reinforced after PM Boris Johnson’s announcement of the new Tier 4 on Saturday – which prohibits travel outside of those zones for reasons other than work.
      But two WSL stars appear to have ignored the rules by flying out of the country.
      Arsenal’s Irish international McCabe, 25, posted a picture on social media showing she was in Dubai on Monday.

      And a video surfaced of West Ham’s Swiss striker Lehmann, 21, dancing outside an ocean-side villa in the Maldives on Wednesday.
      The Switzerland international posted the footage to her TikTok set to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is you’ as the backing track.
      And later in the day on Wednesday, Lehmann’s partner – Paris Saint-Germain Women’s star Bachmann, 29 – posted pictures of her boarding a flight to Male in the Maldives.
      She captioned one snap: “On my way @AlishaLehmann7.”

      Lehmann’s partner Ramona Bachmann boarded a flight to the Maldives on Wednesday

      And the PSG star tagged Lehmann in the Instagram story

      Lehmann and McCabe both posted exotic looking snaps on their Instagram stories which have now disappeared.
      It is unclear when the players left the UK or whether their clubs were aware of their plans before their departure.
      McCabe’s partner – Ireland international and Leicester Women’s Ruesha Littlejohn – also posted a snap from Dubai on Sunday.
      McCabe was not in the shot but it was taken in the same location as the Arsenal star’s post.
      It is believed other London-based foreign players have also defied the instructions of their clubs and flown out of the UK for warmer climates.
      Chelsea’s Ji So-yun is believed to have travelled back to South Korea last weekend.
      McCabe claimed she was in Dubai for a ‘business meeting with her agent’, according to the Telegraph.
      Her brother is believed to be her agent and Arsenal are said to be disappointed as the post did not make clear she was on a ‘business trip’.

      West Ham’s No 7 posted a snap of the ocean which has now disappeared

      The 21-year-old is meeting her partner Romana Bachmann who plays for PSGCredit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

      Katie McCabe’s partner Ruesha Littlejohn posted snaps online from Dubai with her sister
      But the club have accepted McCabe’s explanation and no disciplinary action is anticipated.
      It remains unclear whether there was a ‘business’ element to Lehmann’s trip with the Swiss having several commercial arrangements not related to West Ham.
      The WSL does not resume until January 9 with plenty of players initially expected to head overseas to be reunited with their families at Christmas.
      McCabe played for Arsenal in their 4-0 WSL win over Everton on Sunday.
      But Lehmann was not in action as West Ham’s game with Aston Villa was postponed after a Covid outbreak at the Hammers’ Essex training base.
      After the Everton victory Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro urged his players to ‘follow Government guidelines’.
      Of the 864 Covid-19 tests carried across the WSL and Women’s Championship last week, 32 tests returned positive.
      That figure accounts for nearly half the total number of positive tests recorded since testing began at the top end of the women’s game on July 2.
      SunSport have contacted Arsenal for comment.

      The Swiss international appears to have broken Government Covid rulesCredit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

      She danced along to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas’Credit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

      The video was filmed at a luxury ocean-side villaCredit: Tik Tok / @alishalehmann7

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      Olli Harder becomes West Ham Women’s new boss following Matt Beard exit despite Jayne Ludlow speculation

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      OLLI HARDER has taken up the reigns as West Ham’s new manager just over a month after the departure of former Irons boss Matt Beard. 
      The New Zealander’s appointment ends weeks of speculation surrounding the role with Wales manager Jayne Ludlow among those linked with the job. 

      Olli Harder has signed a two-year contract to manage West Ham Women

      Harder has recently been plying his trade as assistant coach of Sandnes Ulf, a second division men’s side in Norway. 
      The 34-year-old has international experience under his belt as Norway’s Under-23 assistant manager. 
      And the tri-lingual coach has worked in Norway’s women’s top division, leading Klepp IL to top four spots between 2017 and 2019. 
      West Ham says Harder has signed a two-year contract to manage the club’s Women’s Super League side.

      The team, who picked up three points from their last WSL encounter before Christmas, have struggled at times in the league this season.  
      And they have won just twice so far this term leaving them third from bottom. 
      Irons managing director Jack Sullivan says he is confident Harder is the right fit for West Ham.  
      Sullivan said: “He has lots of new ideas that we are looking forward to implementing and I can’t wait to work with Olli, who I believe will help us to continue the positive progress we have made in the WSL so far.

      “We had a huge number of incredibly strong candidates for this role, but Olli stood out predominantly due to his progressive coaching style and exceptional attention to detail, which is backed by strong experience and achievements in the women’s game.
      “I’m confident Olli will ensure a work ethic and an organisation from the team to accompany his track record of giving young players a chance which aligns with the club’s values.” 
      Harder’s first game in charge will be a tricky encounter against title-chasers Manchester City. 

      West Ham are due to take on Manchester City in their first game in JanuaryCredit: Rex Features

      Jack Sullivan is confident Harder will help to nurture West Ham’s youth playersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And the New Zealander, who is fluent in German and Norwegian, is ready to get stuck in.
      Harder said: “I’m looking forward to the opportunity of not only working with such a historic club but, more importantly, a club that has committed itself to the development and progression of the women’s game.
      “I’m relishing the challenge of moving forward the West Ham United women’s team into what will no doubt be a bright future.”

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      No Covid test frequency change for elite women’s sides despite ramp up in Premier League

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      WOMEN’S TOP-FLIGHT sides are to continue being tested just once a week for coronavirus, despite plans to step up tests for Premier League clubs in Tier 4. 
      Despite a Covid surge leading to the axing of games in the women’s top two divisions the FA says the frequency of tests for elite sides will remain unchanged.

      WSL and Women’s Championship sides will continue to be tested once a week for Covid-19Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Six London Prem clubs are due to be tested twice a week for the virus in a bid to prevent severe disruption to the men’s top-flight season.   
      The new system will see Prem players and staff at Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Spurs and West Ham return to the 72-hour sampling regulations introduced as part of Project Restart in the summer. 
      However, the rollout of more virus checks does not currently apply to women’s teams at these clubs, some of whom have seen the cancellation of their final games of the year. 
      Just three WSL clashes went ahead in the weekend leading up to Christmas with the virus being the primary cause of disruption for two fixtures. 

      A spate of positive results put the kibosh on Chelsea’s derby with Tottenham and led West Ham to call off their clash with Aston Villa. 
      Elsewhere Crystal Palace were forced to cancel their trip to Women’s Championship rivals Charlton with a number of Addicks players having to self-isolate.  

      Chelsea are one of four WSL sides who saw their games before Christmas postponed due to CovidCredit: Rex Features
      The FA says it will continue to assess its existing protocols with the current arrangement being for WSL and Championship talent to be tested once a week.  
      In a statement, the FA told SunSport: “To ensure transparency, The FA will continue to release Covid-19 testing results each week across both the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship.

      “Protocols are currently in place for testing once a week and players will be tested before they return to training. 
      “These protocols will continue to be regularly reviewed and we will provide any further updates in due course.”  
      Latest figures from the FA reveal a huge spike in the number of individuals testing positive across the women’s game’s top two divisions

      Today it was confirmed that 32 Covid test results have come back positive from 864 carried out in the third week of December. 
      This is the largest number of positive results returned so far this season.
      From early January additional testing of Premier teams is expected to be extended through the entire men’s top-flight in anticipation of the new coronavirus strain spreading through the country. More