Women’s Super League

ONE of the women’s game’s most powerful lobby groups has hit out at comments made by Greg Clarke – who quit as FA chairman today. 
The Wembley chief has come under fire from Women in Football who described his statements as “outdated” and “unacceptable”. 

Greg Clarke has resigned as FA chairman following controversial commentsCredit: PRU

Clarke made a series of gaffes, including controversial remarks on girls playing football, during a catastrophic grilling from MPs. 
The 63-year-old chair was discussing the need for diversity efforts to continue in the game with the Digital, Media, Culture and Sport Committee. 
Some of the comments that preceded the FA chief’s resignation include his use of the term “coloured” in reference to black players, and his apparent suggestion that being gay was “a life choice”. 

Greg Clarke (second from right) was discussing the FA’s diversity work with MPsCredit: PA:Press Association
And Clarke was also slammed for saying a women’s coach had told him that the lack of women’s goalkeepers was due to girls not liking the ball being kicked at them.

Following the debacle, the football boss faced a backlash on social media from female players past and present.

Women in Football CEO Jane Purdon, said: “In my playing days, I had a high tolerance of footballs being kicked hard at me.” 
A Women in Football statement, written before news of his sacking, read: “The use of outdated stereotypes in football – whether about girls, people of different ethnicities or heritages, or about sexuality – is unacceptable. 

In my playing days, I had a high tolerance of footballs being kicked hard at me. If you’re a girl and you feel the same, you’re in the right place. Join us at @WomeninFootball
— Jane Purdon (@JanePurdon) November 10, 2020

“It does reflect the football that we know and love, and it actively excludes people by seeking to generalise their unique experiences with a guess at what ‘people who look like them’ feel, experience and desire. 

“Our priority will always be to stand up for every girl, woman and non-binary person in football regardless of race, sexuality or ability. 
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with other groups and communities who have been affected by Mr Clarke’s comments.” 
Reading’s Danielle Carter and Natasha Harding and Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, are among the WSL stars who criticised Clarke’s gaffes.
And Gunners defender Wubben-Moy urged football’s leaders to ‘be better’ and to ‘lead by example’.
Following his resignation, Clarke released a statement expressing sadness at the offence caused by his words. 

Just no excuses for this. Football is a game for all and if the so called “leaders” overseeing the game, advocating for inclusivity, undermine it with nonsense like this then there’s no wonder it’s such an issue in our sport. Got to be better. Lead by example or don’t at all. https://t.co/cFzuc9reN2
— Lotte (@lottewubbenmoy) November 10, 2020

In the statement, the ex-FA chairman said: “As a person who loves football and has given decades of service to our game, it is right that I put the interests of football first.
“2020 has been a challenging year and I have been actively considering standing down for some time to make way for a new Chair now our CEO transition is complete and excellent executive leadership under Mark Bullingham is established.
“My unacceptable words in front of Parliament were a disservice to our game and to those who watch, play, referee and administer it. This has crystallised my resolve to move on. 
“I am deeply saddened that I have offended those diverse communities in football that I and others worked so hard to include. 

Greg Clarke’s comments have been heavily criticised by influential figures in women’s footballCredit: PA:Press Association

“I would like to thank my friends and colleagues in the game for the wisdom and counsel they have shared over the years and resign from the FA with immediate effect.”
The FA say Peter McCormick will step into the role of interim FA Chairman with immediate effect.
Officials say the process of identifying and appointing a new chair will begin in due course.

FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment More

MEGAN RAPINOE has blasted the amount of time it took Manchester United to form a women’s team as “disgraceful”.
The USA World Cup winner discussed the state of women’s football in England and America in a no holds barred interview with the BBC.

⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

USA icon Megan Rapinoe reckons it took a “disgraceful” amount of time for United to form a women’s sideCredit: Reuters

Man Utd women’s side celebrated their promotion to the Women’s Super League in 2019
United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward announced the club’s plans to create a women’s side in March 2018 after a 13-year hiatus.
The Red Devils applied for a license after many years of criticism for their lack of participation at the top of the WSL.
A year after the team was founded the club secured promotion into the top-flight – with former England captain Casey Stoney at the helm.

Rapinoe told the BBC: “I think women’s football in England is the same as in America – it is so far behind because of what we’ve had to overcome in the lack of investment.
“It’s 2020. How long has the Premier League been around? And we’re only just seeing a club like Manchester United put effort and pounds towards a women’s team? Frankly, it’s disgraceful.”
In 2005, Malcolm Glazer completed his takeover of United and according to the Manchester Evening News, within a few months the women’s side were booted out as it wasn’t in their “core business” interests.
Credit to Stoney and the players, who have taken the club to TOP of the WSL in just three-years thanks to a huge win over big guns Arsenal last time out.

Two of Rapinoe’s USA teammates, Christen Press and Tobin Heath, joined United in the summer.

Ed Woodward went to watch the women’s side at the Leigh Sports Village in their maiden campaign in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor

Their shirts outsold EVERY player in the men’s squad in the first three days of their release.
The Ballon d’Or winner, added: “I’ve had a few team-mates go abroad and play, while I’m training and trying to keep fit in the hopes that eventually we’ll be out of this hellscape.
“I want to keep playing. I’m definitely not anywhere near retirement – I absolutely want to play at the Olympics.
“After the Olympics I’ll have to take a longer look at the next three years. We’re a year closer to the next World Cup and it’s pretty enticing. We’ll leave that one out in the open…””
Rapinoe recently got engaged to Seattle Storm basketball player, Sue Bird, after four years together.

Harry Maguire says Man Utd are the biggest team in the world and that’s why everybody loves seeing them lose More

ANOTHER lockdown brings so many challenges for all of us.
Sport on all levels is likely to be impacted in some way, but my mind immediately goes to the access of grass roots local sports clubs and youth-centres.

Former England and Arsenal right-back Alex Scott is now a TV punditCredit: PA:Press Association

Ex-Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley coaches his daughter’s under 12s football team.Credit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun

They are crucial and such a life-line to many families and kids.
Not only is it great exercise, but for many it’s an extended family, a community.
In my case, local sports was a chance and gateway for more opportunities and an exciting future.
These grassroots clubs really can become a pathway to success.

I will always be passionate about this, and in particular, I will remain a voice for lower income families accessing sports.
Whilst we must ensure we follow all clear safety guidelines in the current climate, when the time is right, it is crucial for youngsters of all ages and backgrounds to continue to be active and play sport. During the last lockdown, I was part of a Government task force looking at how and when sport could return.
As a team, it was our job to share ideas, solutions and advise – using the experience of our sporting careers, past and present.

There are some brilliant governing bodies, and experts representing different sectors and the Premier League.

My role however was to be a voice for the families who were struggling to access sport which means so much, to so many.
I will continue to be that voice during and after COVID-19, because 30 years ago, access to local sports changed my life forever.

Alex Scott hilariously trolls Jamie Carragher saying ‘you couldn’t name five women’s footballers’ More

CASEY STONEY says she is proud of Manchester United and Marcus Rashford in the fight to secure free school meals, as it made her think of her own children.
The Red Devils boss, who has three, young kids with her partner Megan Harris, has been left inspired by the generosity of Old Trafford striker Rashford and the Manchester community.

⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Casey Stoney proud of the generosity of the Manchester community and Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford and mum Melanie recently visited Farshare’s Manchester base
The Three Lions ace’s petition to End Child Food Poverty is only the fifth in history to pass one million signatures.
And FareShare, the UK’s largest charity fighting hunger, is now supplying seven million meals to the most vulnerable thanks to donations inspired by Rashford’s fight.
Stoney, 38, told SunSport: “I’m really proud of Marcus, the club and the movement he’s been able to do.

“But you know what I was really proud of the amount of people that stood up and said, ‘we’ll do something, we’ll help’.
“Because I’ve got children and to think that they could ever go hungry.
“No child should ever go hungry, it’s not their choice. The child doesn’t have a choice.
“So the amount of people, businesses, companies up and down the country that went, we’ll step up, we’ll do something, it made me really proud to live here.”

United turn their attention to facing table toppers Arsenal in the league today.
And Stoney has urged the FA and broadcasters to get more WSL games on TV to provide the country with a distraction during the gloom-laden lockdown period.
She added: “We’re so privileged we get to walk out our door every morning, get in our cars and go to work and do what we love for a living.

“That’s why I think visibility is so important in women’s sport because we need people to have something to view, to have hope to take and to have a distraction away from the misery.
“If you read social media at the moment it’s just misery after misery and that’s the world we’re living in right now so let’s give people a nice distraction,
“So we can get more games on TV and get more visibility to get more people watching the women’s game because we can’t get the fans in.
“I think it’s really important and I can’t stress enough that we’re really lucky that we get to do what we love for a living,
“And being around people, which is huge now as so many people are in isolation and loneliness is terrible.”

Rio Ferdinand compares Marcus Rashford’s performance to an older kid bullying younger kids and “taking their dinner money” More

ALEX MORGAN revealed on Twitter that she could finally make her long-awaited Tottenham debut against Reading today.
The USA World Cup winner has been named in Spurs’ team today, but most likely will not be starting.

Alex Morgan signed for Tottenham Women on a short-term deal in September but still hasn’t played for the club

The North Londoners are preparing to host the Royals at The Hive today.
And Morgan, 31, wrote on Twitter: “Excited for my first match officially in with the squad.
The strike sensation penned a short-term deal until the end of December in a bid for regular game time to win a place in the USA squad ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
She has not played competitive football in over a year due to pregnancy, and she only gave birth to her daughter, Charlie, six months ago.

Morgan was named on the bench for Spurs’ FA Cup quarter-final tie with rivals Arsenal at the end of September, but she hasn’t been included in the squad since.
The clock is ticking, given that her contract only runs until the end of 2020.
And the Orlando Pride ace dropped a huge hint that she won’t be sticking around in the WSL on a permanent basis after her loan deal expires.
At the end of last month, she told AP Sports, “I have a plan to go back for the holidays, but you just don’t know if I’m planning to continue on here or not.

“It all really depends on Covid, and the NWSL as well and what their plans are for next season so I feel like I’m taking it week by week.
“One thing I know is that I want to go home and introduce Charlie to my family because I’ve kind of snatched her away and took her to England with me.”
Orlando boss Marc Skinner reportedly hopes Morgan will return from her contract in England in time to join the Pride next spring for preseason ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.

Alex Scott hilariously trolls Jamie Carragher saying ‘you couldn’t name five women’s footballers’ More

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Casey Stoney has blasted the decision to suspend the Women’s FA Cup as it “goes against equality”.
The men’s competition will continue during lockdown and will kickstart from November 6-9 as planned, with ten non-elite teams in the first round, but the women’s competition has been put on hold.

⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

Man Utd boss Casey Stoney has voiced concerns over the suspension of the Women’s FA Cup and closure of WSL academies
The women’s first round was originally set to take place on November 15, but the earliest return date possible for the competition will now be December 2.
Stoney said: “How can the men’s FA Cup games go ahead and the women’s can’t? How?
“I just don’t know how you can distinguish between the two and let one go ahead and one not, I just don’t understand it. So we talk about equality, we’re going against it.”

The FA are said to be in talks with the government over resuming the women’s fixtures over lockdown.
Former England captain Stoney was also left frustrated at the closure of WSL Academies and Girls Regional Talent Clubs over the lockdown period.
Boys’ academy level is allowed to continue based on them being classed as “elite”.
The United Women’s camp have brought two academy players, who are over 18, into the senior team’s bubble to keep their development ticking over amid the shutdown of their training.

Stoney added: “I class my RTC and my academy as elite because they’re at Manchester United.

Man City skipper Steph Houghton lifted the 2020 Women’s FA Cup trophy after their 3-1 extra-time success over WSL rivals Everton
“They’re training to become professional players just like the boys are.
“Unfortunately it’s not seen that way, in terms of governance so that’s one of the things that’s got to change.
“It’s disappointing. It means that our players have another four weeks out of the game. It means that their mental wellbeing is affected.
“It’s frustrating for Charlotte their head coach, who works tirelessly to try and make sure this programme going.
“Everyone is trying to make sure this rate goes down and unfortunately this is a measure the government have taken.

“It’s a real shame because young people need it, especially during this time.
“I’ve got three children. Two play grassroots football, and they can go and sit in a classroom with someone, eight hours a day,
“But can’t go over a park and play football and the outdoors. Hey I’m not a scientist. I’m not making the decisions.”
Stoney’s side sit third in the top-flight and face table toppers Arsenal in a mouth-watering tie on Sunday.

Watch Katie McCabe send Arsenal fans into meltdown with incredible free-kick against Tottenham More