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CHELSEA have scooped an eye-watering FIVE nominations across three categories for women in the Fifa Best Footballer Awards. Football bigwigs decided to go ahead with the annual awards ceremony, which are to be held virtually next month, as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the globe. Chelsea are flying the flag for England among the […] More
LIVERPOOL’S stunning season has seen FOUR Anfield stars named on the 11-player shortlist for The Best Fifa Football Awards. Meanwhile Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is up for the top coach gong as the contenders across various categories were revealed. World chiefs decided to go ahead with the annual awards ceremony, to be held virtually next […] More
DENMARK’S WSL aces have been left in limbo as they await to hear a decision on whether they can fly out for international duty amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The UK has imposed strict travel restrictions on the country amid concerns over a new coronavirus strain that has spread from mink to humans.
Chelsea’s Pernille Harder ‘really hopes’ Denmark’s WSL players are granted a travel exemption to compete for their country Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The four WSL aces in the Denmark national team include Chelsea strike sensation Pernille Harder – who became the club’s record signing in the summer.
Everton’s Nicoline Sorensen and Rikke Sevecke and Aston Villa’s Stine Larsen are the others.
Harder also wears the captain’s armband for her country, and she said: “I really hope we can be granted permission to travel home to represent our country and fight alongside our team-mates next Tuesday in another important match.
“Fingers crossed.”
As reported by the BBC, earlier this month, the UK government agreed to an exemption to allow players to travel from the country to Copenhagen and back, without needing to self-isolate.
That exemption was understood to expire on November 26 and it is unclear whether it will be extended for the women’s game against Italy at home on December 1.
Danish and English football officials have reportedly asked the UK government for the exemption to be extended to allow the WSL stars to compete for their country.
Losing deadly striker, Harder, would be a major blow to Denmark.
I really hope we can be granted permission to travel home to represent our country and fight alongside our teammates next Tuesday in another important match. Fingers crossed🤞🏼🇩🇰 https://t.co/Z6AJQOWWAj
— Pernille Harder (@PernilleMHarder) November 24, 2020
She made her international debut at the age of 16 against Georgia in which she scored a hat-trick.
The prolific four-time Bundesliga winner, who scored 27 times in 22 league games last season, found the net 105 times during her three years at Wolfsburg.
She arrived in West London in the summer and joined her partner Magdalena Eriksson, 26, at the club for a record fee.
The forward is already living up to her price-tag having netted a 90th minute equaliser, thanks to a huge deflection off Lotte Wubben-Moy, against Arsenal last time out.
Frank Lampard insists Olivier Giroud is in his plans despite Chelsea striker admitting he is ready for January transfer More
THE 2020/21 Women’s Champions League Round of 32 draw was conducted on Tuesday.
Chelsea and Manchester City are flying the flag for the Women’s Super League this season and now know who they will face for their first fixture.
Alex Greenwood lifted the trophy with seven-time winners Lyon last year, before signing for Manchester City Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The Blues will take on Portuguese side Benfica and the Citizens have been drawn alongside Swedish outfit Göteborg.
Glasgow City will go against Sparta Prague on the European stage.
All fixtures in the round of 32 are set to be played out on 9/10 and 15/16 of December.
In contrast to the men’s tournament, there is no group stage in the current women’s format.
But UEFA has formed four groups of eight teams for the draw based on a number of principles.
WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FORMAT
Seeding of clubs based on the club coefficient rankings has been taken into consideration
In every group there is an equal number of seeded and unseeded teams.
No club can meet a team from their own association.
Covid-19 travel restrictions have been factored in as the pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe.
Each tie will involve one seeded club and one unseeded club and the seeds will play the second leg at home.
Seven-time winners and current holders Lyon are the most successful club in the history of the competition.
Arsenal are the only English side to have won the tournament, defeating Umea 1-0 over two legs in April 2007.
Rennes vs Chelsea free live stream, TV Channel and kick off time for Champions League match More
ARSENAL WOMEN could be hit with a further injury crisis after Vivianne Miedema was forced to pull out of international duty with a hip complaint.
The Gunners currently have FIVE first-team players on the treatment table.
Vivianne Miedema has pulled out of international duty due to a hip injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Dutch national team confirmed the news on Friday that the striker would miss the upcoming fixtures with the USA and Kosovo.
They said: “Vivianne Miedema has to miss the upcoming international match due to a hip injury.
“Victoria Pelova has been called up as her replacement. Get well soon Vivianne Miedema.”
Jordan Nobbs, Steph Catley, Lisa Evans, Jen Beattie and Noelle Maritz all missed the Gunners’ dramatic 1-1 draw with Chelsea last time out.
And losing Miedema, 24, would be a major blow to Joe Montemurro’s side.
She recently broke the record to become the WSL’s all-time top scorer, after taking her tally to 52 goals in just 50 appearances midway through October.
The strike sensation stormed past the former record-holder, Nikita Parris, who found the net 49 times in 110 matches for Manchester City and Everton.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
Miedema is already the league’s top scorer this season after finding the net 10 times in seven outings.
Jordan Nobbs is out with a hamstring injury but she is expected to start pitch based work in the weeks following the international break.
Lisa Evans and Steph Catley are dogged with calf injuries and are also expected back in the weeks after the international break.
Captain Kim Little and Jill Roord, who has scored two hat-tricks this term, have only recently returned to action, after they were both sidelined with knocks.
Gunners boss Joe Montemurro revealed back in October that the club was undertaking a “massive internal review” of their injury crisis.
He said: “I’m looking at every exercise we do in training, I am looking at my session planning, we are looking at our rehab processes.
“We’re trying to work out where and how and why this has happened. We need to be better at understanding all of this.
“There is no finger pointing here, this is about us coming together as a group, as a wider Arsenal and also how we work with individuals on a specific basis and looking at how we can get better results.” More
TOTTENHAM ace Ashleigh Neville revealed she was “gutted” to hear the “sad” news of the double sacking of the women’s team head coaches.
Karen Hills and Juan Amoros were axed on Thursday just two months after their contracts were renewed until 2022.
Spurs star Asleigh Neville has been left “gutted” at the double sacking of the women’s team head coachesCredit: Rex Features
Juan Amoros and Karen Hills were axed two months after having their contracts extendedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Phil Neville’s England No2, Rehanne Skinner, was announced as the duo’s replacement.
Hills arrived at Tottenham in 2007 – when the side was completely amateur – and has overseen the club’s meteoric rise through the women’s football pyramid.
She had been at the helm for THREE promotions in the space of five years.
Amoros arrived to work alongside her in 2011 and together they lead the club to its historic admittance into the top flight at the start of the 2019-2020 season.
Neville, 27, signed for the North Londoners in 2017 and recently penned a contract extension to keep her there until 2022.
She wrote on her Twitter: “I really have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now, honestly gutted to hear this sad news.
“These two have been incredible for the club since the day they started and you seriously can’t fault their hard work and determination.
1/3 I really have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now, honestly gutted to hear this sad news. These two have been incredible for the club since the day they started and you seriously can’t fault their hard work and determination…. https://t.co/xajQRIFV6g
— Ash Neville (@AshNev10) November 19, 2020
2/3 For me on a personal note, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for @JuanC_Amoros and @hillsyk5 . They believed in my ability 4 years ago and have pushed me on to be bigger and better on and also off the pitch. I can’t thank you both enough…
— Ash Neville (@AshNev10) November 19, 2020
3/3 For giving me this amazing opportunity to live my dream as a professional footballer. It’s all down to you! I wish you both all the best in the future as I know this isn’t the end for you. Goodbye and goodluck 😢⚽️💙
— Ash Neville (@AshNev10) November 19, 2020
“For me on a personal note, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Juan Amoros and Karen Hills.
“They believed in my ability four years ago and have pushed me on to be bigger and better on and also off the pitch.
“I can’t thank you both enough for giving me this amazing opportunity to live my dream as a professional footballer.
“It’s all down to you! I wish you both all the best in the future as I know this isn’t the end for you. Goodbye and good luck.”
Spurs have failed to pick up a win this term, leaving them second from bottom in the table, despite landing stellar summer signing, Alex Morgan.
They narrowly lost out to rivals Arsenal in the League Cup last time out after Morgan missed the decisive penalty in a tense shootout after a 2-2 draw.
Michael Owen says that Harry Kane will not leave Tottenham because of his huge transfer fee and age More
FIFA could impose transfer BANS on clubs who fail to meet new rules over maternity cover.
For the first time ever, football’s international governing body has proposed global maternity regulations for female stars and coaches.
USA World Cup winner Alex Morgan gave birth to her daughter, Charlie, in May
Players would be entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity cover, on at least two thirds of their salary.
The new rules will require approval from Fifa Council in December.
Fifa’s chief legal and compliance officer, Emilio Garcia Silvero said: “The clubs will not be allowed to terminate the contract of a player on the grounds of a player becoming pregnant.
“If this is the case, we are going to impose not only a fine, and compensation to the player, but also a sporting sanction.
“We are going to impose a transfer ban on the club. From now on, female players will be better protected.
“We think these rules are common sense. There are some countries in which these rights are already there, but we are trying to regulate this for 211 different territories.
“These basic conditions will be mandatory from 1 January, 2021.”
Clubs will be given the green light to sign a female player outside of the usual transfer windows when short-term cover is needed to replace a player out on maternity leave.
New Fifa proposals on maternity leave
Clubs will also be under an obligation to reintegrate players to the club and provide adequate ongoing medical support.
Clubs will be permitted to sign a female player outside of the usual transfer windows in cases where short-term cover is needed to replace a player on maternity leave
New mothers must be offered the opportunity to breastfeed and/or express milk
Fifa’s proposed minimum of 14 weeks cover does not go as far as the statutory amount in many countries, including the UK where maternity pay is available for up to 39 weeks.
England ace Jodie Taylor, who is a member of the global player council of world players’ union Fifpro, said: “This is such an impactful and meaningful addition to our sport,
“Women’s footballers need these types of regulations to ensure that we can continue our careers confident that adequate provisions are in place should we decide to have children,
“Which is both reassuring for us as players and reflective of what the professional game needs to keep growing.
“Hopefully this is the beginning of even more progressive and inclusive policies for female players.”
USA superstar Alex Morgan has only recently returned to competitive football since giving birth to her daughter, Charlie, in May.
Alex Morgan pokes the Lionesses with ‘tea-sipping’ celebration after putting USA ahead against England in Women’s World Cup semi-final More
PHIL NEVILLE is on the lookout for a new No2 after Rehanne Skinner was announced as Tottenham Women’s boss.
It comes on the same day that Spurs sacked head coaches Juan Amoros and Karen Hills, while West Ham parted ways with boss Matt Beard.
Rehanne Skinner has been named as Tottenham Women’s new managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The FA is set to announce the Lionesses’ new assistant coach at a later date.
Skinner co-founded Leicester City Women’s Football Club, taking on a coaching role where she secured four consecutive promotions.
She moved to Arsenal in 2010 and enjoyed a three-year stint as assistant coach, lifting two WSL trophies, two League Cups, and one FA Cup.
She said: “I have really enjoyed my time at The FA, working alongside some wonderfully talented people and with players who have done so much to put women’s football and our England teams in the spotlight.
“It will be very hard to leave but I will always have such fond memories of my ten years working with England teams.”
The surprise sacking of Juan Amoros and Karen Hills comes just two months after the North London giants renewed their contracts until 2022.
But Spurs have failed to pick up a win this term, leaving them second from bottom in the table, despite landing stellar summer signing, Alex Morgan.
Hills arrived at Tottenham in 2007 – when the side was completely amateur – and has overseen the club’s meteoric rise through the women’s football pyramid.
1/3 I really have no words to describe how I’m feeling right now, honestly gutted to hear this sad news. These two have been incredible for the club since the day they started and you seriously can’t fault their hard work and determination…. https://t.co/xajQRIFV6g
— Ash Neville (@AshNev10) November 19, 2020
Alex Morgan and her Tottenham team-mates have yet to win a game in the league this term
She has been at the helm for THREE promotions in the space of five years.
Amoros arrived to work alongside her in 2011 and together they lead the club to its historic admittance into the top flight at the start of the 2019-2020 season.
The club said: “This decision has not been taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the team, with the belief that a fresh approach will offer renewed impetus as we seek to continue our upward trajectory and positive growth.”
Hammers skipper Gilly Flaherty paid an emotional tribute to Beard for saving her from one of the ‘lowest spells’ of her career, after he left the club by mutual consent on Thursday.
He arrived in 2018 and guided the East Londoners to the FA Cup final at Wembley last summer.
But they have mustered just one win out of seven in the league this term, including a 9-1 demolition by Arsenal at the start of the campaign.
Flaherty, said: “Leading West Ham women out at Wembley with Matt Beard will always be one of my favorite memories for so many reasons.
“No longer my manager but always my family. Thank you for everything Beardy. You saved me from one of my lowest spells of my career and I’ll never forget it.”
The club revealed they are already in the process of recruiting a new manager ‘to take West Ham Women’s team forward’.
Leading @westhamwomen out at Wembley with @mattbeard02 will always be one of my favourite memories for so many reasons. No longer my manager but always my family. Thank you for everything Beardy. You saved me from one of my lowest spells of my career & I’ll never forget it ❤️#TTP pic.twitter.com/5TV8aUxoph
— Gilly Flaherty (@Gilly_flaherty) November 19, 2020
Alex Morgan pokes the Lionesses with ‘tea-sipping’ celebration after putting USA ahead against England in Women’s World Cup semi-final More
