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      Football boss Willie Kirk sacked for sleeping with a player insists ‘I’m not a criminal’ as he breaks silence

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      WILLIE KIRK says he “hasn’t committed a crime” after being sacked by Leicester City for sleeping with a player.The Foxes axed the Scot as boss of the Women’s Super League side six weeks ago after he was initially suspended for the relationship.Willie Kirk has opened up on his explosive exit from Leicester CityCredit: GettyNow Kirk, 45, has opened up on the controversy to try and set the record straight.He told the Daily Mail: “There’s a number of things I need to get off my chest.“First of all, me and my wife have been separated for over a year.“I think people just now are going ‘he’s a bad coach, he’s a bad husband, he’s a bad human.’”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLKirk arrived at Leicester in July 2022 as director of football as he replaced Lydia Bedford as manager that November before taking up that position permanently.They were on a six-match pointless run when he took charge but he helped them to beat the drop and guided them to a tenth place finish – but it was in the months after this that the romance began.He said: “One of the players contacted me away from work to express their feelings for me.“I said ‘that is ridiculous’ and just shut it down. That was that.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I kept shutting it down and said ‘it’s never going to happen, there’s a code of conduct.’”However, things then changed when the player suffered an injury last year.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanKirk said: “I think this is what justified it to us.“She picked up an injury at the tail end of the calendar year and was doing her rehab away from the training ground.“Just before Christmas, I agreed to meet on a personal level. She was injured so it wasn’t going to stop me doing my job because she couldn’t be selected.“Obviously I was trying to justify it to myself, which never made it right. After Christmas we started seeing each other once a week, so she’d come here, or the week after I’d go to hers.”Kirk and his partner were then discovered by an employee of another club during a trip to Milan in February.He said: “When we came back, we said ‘I think this has gone too far, we need to knock this on the head until the end of the season and either I’ll leave the club or you’ll leave the club.’“We had agreed we were taking too much of a risk.”The discovery of the relationship led to the club hauling in Kirk.He said: “I got pulled into a meeting saying there had been a complaint made about me and the club lawyer would be in touch and the external lawyers would arrange an investigation.“Ten days came and went. We were building up to the FA Cup game against Liverpool.“Fifteen minutes before the last training session on the Friday, I got pulled into the office by the women’s director and the internal lawyer was there and I just knew what it was.Who are these famous footballers?
      “They said we need you to be honest with us ‘are you in a relationship with a player? We know all about it, we know you’ve been to Italy, we know it started just before Christmas.’”Kirk admitted to the relationship, and after an investigation that lasted three weeks, Leicester sacked him for gross misconduct.The player still remains at the club while Kirk unsuccessfully appealed the decision.He says: “From admitting it, I was treated and felt like a criminal.“I feel the club could have dealt with it better. I felt there was a lack of consistency with previous investigations.“It’s on me, it’s my fault, I should never have gone through with anything. There is a code of conduct, I was involved with putting it in place, I was certainly involved with living by it on a day-to-day basis and trying to drive our standards, so it is absolutely ridiculous that I’m the one that’s broken it.Kirk says he feels let down by the club after he was axedCredit: Getty“I think the way it was dealt with created a lot of uncertainty and rumours and counter-rumours.“I don’t think that helped the players or the staff and I think we’re now seeing that in results. They got through the Liverpool game but they’ve picked up two draws in the last seven games.“As difficult as it would have been, I felt I was due an audience with the staff and the players to explain myself and apologise face-to-face and to give my side of the story.“It might not have kept me there, but we’ll never know.”Kirk added: ‘It’s been frustrating. Wrongly, I think a lot of that frustration has turned into hate. I’ve hated myself. I hated the club. I’ve had moments where I have resented the relationship even though the relationship is still going on.“This wasn’t a manager exerting their power who said ‘jump into bed with me and I’ll play you in the starting XI.’“I’ve just carried this hate, which is wrong, but it’s come from this frustration of not being able to speak about it.“I’m not a criminal, I’ve not committed a crime. I’ve jeopardised an environment and that is a pretty big thing.“The club made mistakes in the past, I came in, turned around a points gap that had never been turned around before, retained WSL status.“Now I’ve made a mistake and they don’t want anything to do with me. I felt let down by the club in terms of that.”Kirk started his managerial career in Scotland at Hibernian.After a brief spell with Scottish non-league Preston Athletic’s men’s side, he then entered management in the WSL.He enjoyed three years in charge of Bristol City but left to sign for Manchester United as Casey Stoney’s assistant.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, he did not stay long with the Red Devils as just six months later he was off to become boss of Everton in December 2018.He was sacked after recording just two wins from their opening five games of the 2021/22 season.Jennifer Foster has since taken over as interim coach at LeicesterCredit: Getty More

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      ‘It would be unreal to be able to lift the trophy, but we’ve got a job to do’, says Manchester City’s Alanna Kennedy

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      ALANNA KENNEDY says being sidelined by an Achilles injury earlier this season was a frustrating period.Now the tenacious Manchester City defender wants to help her side become WSL champions for the first time in eight years.Alanna Kennedy and her Manchester City team-mates have a six-point lead over title rivals ChelseaCredit: GettyThe Cityzens are targeting two wins from their final two games this season against Arsenal and Aston VillaCredit: GettyArsenal’s last league clash with Man City resulted in a 2-1 win for the GunnersCredit: GettyThe end of this season could result in the WSL leaders fulfilling their dream of winning the title for the first time since 2016.Before their final two games the Manchester side have been in formidable form, winning 14 of their last 15 league fixtures since November 12th.However Arsenal, who they play this afternoon, won their last top-flight duel 2-1 in November.Six points separate Taylor from the second-placed Blues who host Bristol this evening and have a game in hand.Read More Football StoriesWith Chelsea having lost to Liverpool midweek, the league leaders are now closer to a title-winning triumph for the first time under Gareth Taylor.And Kennedy, who has won top-flight trophies in Australia and the United States, hopes to do so for the first time in England.The defender said: “It’s been a goal of mine on an individual front but also as a collective.”For as long as I’ve been here, we’ve had a frustrating couple of seasons, and there’s so much potential.Most read in Football”I feel this season it’s all coming to fruition and we’ve still got a job to do.”But it would just be an unreal feeling to be able to lift the trophy, especially with this group of girls.”Following an August 2021 City move as a free agent following her departure from Tottenham in May that year, Kennedy has at times seen her playing time disrupted by injury.A shoulder fracture in September 2022 delayed her start to the WSL season back then.And the defender’s return to the pitch in December that year was derailed by a calf niggle which later turned out to be a tendon problem at the back of her knee.Part of this season has seen Kennedy sidelined for just over eight weeks by an Achilles problem. An injury that forced her withdrawal in the 46th-minute of a City win against Aston Villa last December.It was not until this February that the talented centre-back made her comeback with a solid shift during City’s 1-0 Conti Cup quarters defeat of Tottenham.Reflecting on her injury spell and return to action, Kennedy added: “As a player you always want to be on the pitch and in those moments.”But I think we’ve done a really good job of making sure that everyone feels just as important, whether you are on the pitch or whether you aren’t.”I think the girls who haven’t played as much as well have also played a huge role in that.”Even during my time off, out through injury, you still feel valued and that there’s something you can bring to help from the bench as well.”It was a frustrating period, but I’m happy to be back in the squad and be able to contribute on the pitch.”Kennedy’s return has coincided with a storming run of nine wins from 11 games for Man City across all competitions.A run that has seen just five goals slip past their battle-hardened defence.Four points from their two remaining WSL fixtures this season would see the team win the title for the second time in their history.The Manchester side could also become champions if they win their game today and if Chelsea were to draw with, or lose to Bristol. Kennedy reckons this would be the icing on the cake following the two seasons where City have finished third and fourth.The Australia ace, who has made 15 WSL appearances this term, said: “We badly want to be able to have something to show for the performances we’ve put in over the last few years.Gareth Taylor is hope to guide Man City to their first WSL title win since 2016Credit: Getty“I guess our mentality has been a lot stronger this season following those missed opportunities.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’ve had that shared experience in the past of something that you don’t want to feel again.  “Hopefully, this season is our time.” More

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      Carla Ward says leaving ‘full throttle’ Aston Villa Women’s job was a hard decision but the right one

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      CARLA WARD says her decision to stand down as Aston Villa Women’s boss has been the hardest of her managerial career.The Villans gaffer, 40, who is a mother, intends to prioritise her family life when she departs at the end of this season.Carla Ward wants to prioritise other areas of her life following her departure from Aston VillaCredit: GettyWard’s Villa side are currently seventh in the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: GettyThe Villans will take on Brighton in their penultimate WSL fixture before facing Man City at Villa ParkCredit: GettyWard’s announcement yesterday afternoon came a day before her side’s clash with Brighton in their penultimate league game this term.Her team are currently seventh and six points off sixth-placed Tottenham after rallying following a difficult start to this term’s Women’s Super League campaign.Ward, who became the WSL’s side manager in 2021, said: “Managing a great club like Aston Villa has been a full-throttle job and I have always given the role 100 per cent dedication.”However, I now believe it is the right time for me to prioritise the other important things – such as my daughter and the rest of my family life. Read More Football Stories”To step down from my post here at Aston Villa has been the hardest decision of my managerial career, but I know it is the right one for my family and I.”Last season under Ward Villa achieved their highest ever finish in the top-flight in fifth spot, following 11 wins and four draws from 22 games.Results included their first ever defeats of Arsenal and Manchester City in the top tier whilst also reaching the Women’s FA Cup semis.This followed Ward taking charge after challenging 2020-21 season.Most read in FootballOne in which the team narrowly avoided relegation finishing three points and two places above the drop zone.During her tenure Ward has pulled off some astute transfer signings in a revamp of the side.Striker Rachel Daly, Canada forward Adriana Leon and ex-Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs were among the players signed by the head coach.The team also added goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to their ranks in June last year.However, the rising Netherlands star’s first season at the club ended prematurely in March this year following surgery on her hip.Villa chiefs revealed they had made attempts to persuade Ward to remain post prior to her announcement.Villa football operations president Monchi says the club had extensive discussions with WardCredit: GettyThe club’s football operations president, Monchi said: “Carla came to us a few weeks ago and spoke of her plan to step down.“We have had extensive dialogue with her to see if there was anything we could do to persuade her to stay, but she is adamant that she wants to take a break from the game.“Therefore, on behalf of everybody at Aston Villa, I want to place on record our grateful thanks to Carla for everything she has achieved with us and wish her well for the future.” More

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      Why is Khadija Shaw called Bunny?

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      KHADIJA SHAW has been in stunning form for Manchester City in the 2023/2024 season.Despite a foot injury ruling her out of the campaign at the business end, the star is set to win the Women’s Super League golden boot.Khadija Shaw has been in stunning form this seasonCredit: RexShaw has scored 21 goals in 18 matches and leads nearest challenger Lauren James by eight goals.Her performances for the league leaders have also seen her named the Football Writers Association Women’s Player of the Year.The Jamaica international won the award ahead of James to become the first City player since Nikita Parris in 2019 to do so.Shaw, who has 55 goals in 42 caps for Jamaica, joined City from Bordeaux.READ MORE ON KHADIJAShe is set to stay at the club for two more years, after penning an extension through to 2026 last summer.However, not all fans know why she does not have her name on the back of her City shirt.Instead, Shaw wears “Bunny” above the number 21 on her kit.Why is Khadija Shaw called Bunny?Shaw was given her nickname by her older brother Kentardo and now wears it on the back of her shirt.Most read in FootballKentardo gave his sister the nickname due to her love of carrots as a child.The pair were two of 13 brothers and sisters, with the City forward the youngest.Raheem Sterling shares video for Khadija Shaw welcoming her to the Man City familyShe was born on January 31, 1997.It was her brother Kentardo who taught the striker how to play football at age 10 after she started playing with her older brothers.She has since gone on to represent Jamaica at the last two Women’s World Cups, with the Reggae Girlz making the round of 16 in 2023.As of May 2024, Shaw is the team’s most capped player and all-time top scorer.WSL Golden Boot winners

      2011 – Rachel Williams, Birmingham: 14 goals
      2012 – Kim Little, Arsenal: 11 goals
      2013 – Natasha Dowie, Liverpool: 21 goals
      2014 – Karen Carney, Birmingham: 8 goals
      2015 – Beth Mead, Sunderland: 12 goals
      2016 – Eniola Aluko, Chelsea: 9 goals
      2017 (spring season) – Fran Kirby, Chelsea: 6 goals
      2017/2018 – Ellen White, Birmingham: 15 goals
      2018/2019 – Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal: 22 goals
      2019/2020 – Vivianne Miedema, Arsenal: 16 goals
      2020/2021 – Sam Kerr, Chelsea: 21 goals
      2021/2022 – Sam Kerr, Chelsea: 20 goals
      2022/2023 – Rachel Daly, Aston Villa: 22 goals More

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      Man City star Phil Foden named Player of the Year beating Declan Rice and Rodri to top award after stunning season

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      PHIL FODEN has been rewarded for his outstanding season by being named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers Association.The Manchester City midfielder has scored 24 goals to help put his boyhood club on course for a Premier League and FA Cup double.Phil Foden has been named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers AssociationCredit: GettyHe pipped Arsenal’s Declan Rice and team-mate Rodri to the prizeCredit: GettyAnd his efforts were recognised by FWA members – as he earned 42 per cent of the vote to scoop the prestigious award.His England team-mate Declan Rice, who has enjoyed an excellent first campaign at Arsenal, was second.Meanwhile Foden’s fellow City star Rodri – who has not lost a game with the club in 15 months – was third.Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa and Chelsea’s summer signing Cole Palmer made up the top six.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut Foden is the third player from the Etihad to receive the FWA award, which Sir Stanley Matthews first won in 1948, in the last four years after Ruben Dias in 2021 and Erling Haaland last season.He said: “Being named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year is a huge honour.“I’m very, very happy to receive this award but I could not have done it without the help of my team-mates.“We have a very special squad of players at City, and I’m privileged to be a part of that group.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I want to thank all my team-mates as well as Pep and the coaches for all the support and advice they have given me.“I strive to be the best that I can be every single day and that is all down to the way the manager and my colleagues always seek to improve and get better.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fan“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as well as my fellow nominees.”It is also a double celebration for City as forward Khadija Shaw was named Women’s Footballer of the Year by the association.The Jamaican, 27, and Chelsea’s Lauren James dominated a record vote – receiving 80 per cent between them.But it was Shaw who edged it – becoming the first City player to win since Nikita Paris in 2019.And the news will be a welcome tonic for her as earlier this week she had surgery on a broken foot which will rule her out for the remainder of the season.Three ways Phil Foden has been transformed into Man City, and England’s, most important playerBy Lee Scott
      PHIL FODEN ran away with the voting for Footballer of the Year – and it’s easy to see why.
      Foden has been transformed into Man City’s new David Silva and England’s Euro 2024 swiss army knife.
      Initially used sparingly by Pep Guardiola, the Stockport technician has become a key player for City.
      Foden’s his tactical intelligence and game understanding make him stand out week in, week out – even in City’s team of expensively-assembled superstars.
      From playing the final pass and running between the lines to leading the press, Foden really can do it all.
      Click here to read our tactical analysis of the Premier League’s best player.

      But she still looks set to finish as the WSL’s top scorer as Gareth Taylor’s side close in on the league title.Three of her club mates also finished in the top six with Alex Greenwood third, Yui Hasegawa fourth and Khiara Keating in sixth.Brighton’s Norwegian striker Elisabeth Terland broke up the sequence by finishing fifth.Shaw said: “I am very proud and privileged to have received this award and to be recognised in this way is a special honour.“I want to also thank all of my team-mates. They provide me with the chances to score goals and I could not have won this award without them.“I also owe such a lot to Gareth, the rest of the coaching team and everyone else here at City. It’s a pleasure to be part of such a special group.“Many thanks to all who voted for me and to my fellow nominees. It means such a lot to have won this award.“Hopefully the side can now finish off the season in style and give everyone special cause to celebrate.”It is the first time in five years that a City player has won both the men’s and women’s award.It was double delight for City as Khadija Shaw scooped the women’s prizeCredit: AlamyLast time it happened was 2019 when Paris and Raheem Sterling topped the votes.A total of 18 players got votes in the men’s section.The others were: Virgil Van Dijk, Mo Salah, Bukayo Saka, Bruno Guimares, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, John McGinn, Ross Barkley, Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Dalot, Son Heung Min and Jarrod Bowen.Meanwhile, the other players to get votes for the women’s award were: Erin Cuthbert, Sjoeke Nusken, Lauren Hemp, Alessia Russo, Ella Toone, Katie McCabe, Ashleigh Neville,READ MORE SUN STORIESMillie Turner, Niamh Charles, Fuka Nagano, Taylor Hinds and Jess Carter.Both winners will be honoured at the Footballer of the Year dinner in London on Thursday May 16.Inside humble Phil Foden’s family lifeBy Jon Boon
      PHIL FODEN may be flashy on the pitch, but the Premier League’s Player of the Year is a humble family man off it.
      The Man City superstar earns an astonishing salary believed to be £11.7million-per-year.
      But the Stockport kid is frugal with his cash as he enjoys his down time with childhood sweetheart Rebecca and their two kids.
      Foden only passed his driving test last year… and turns up for training in City’s glittering club car park in a £40k VOLKSWAGEN.
      And in his spare time he loves nothing more than a FISHING trip.
      He celebrated his first big City contract by buying his mum and dad a Cheshire mansion and lives with them until 2021.
      But Foden has now splashed out on a luxury £3million mansion for his own growing family.
      Click here for to find out all about Foden’s glamorous life… More

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      Emma Hayes wants Chelsea to be ruthless against Liverpool as Blues resume push for WSL title win

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      EMMA HAYES says Chelsea cannot dwell on their Champions League last four loss with their bid to retain this season’s top tier title at stake.And the Blues chief wants her side to be ruthless away at Liverpool in their first WSL game following their goalless shift on Saturday.Chelsea are looking to overhaul title rivals Manchester City and have two games in hand on the league leadersCredit: Getty
      The fixture comes four days after the Blues’ loss to Barcelona in the second leg of the Women’s Champions League semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      Matt Beard hopes to guide his side to a top-four finish in the Women’s Super League for the first time since their return to the top-flight two years agoCredit: GettyTonight, the title-holders return to domestic top tier action after their loss to Barcelona in the Champions League second leg semis.The Spanish giants’ 2-0 away win at Stamford Bridge ended Hayes’ aces’ hopes of reaching the contest’s final for the second year in a row. With their trophy double chase done and dusted, hopes of silverware rest on their push for the title.Hayes, who will leave the club at the end of this season, said: “After any loss, one of the worst things you can have is a big period of time between the loss and the next game.Read More Football Stories“We don’t have time to dwell on exiting. We’ve dealt with that on our day off and we have to continue.“We’ve got a small chance of winning the league, so we have to put everything into doing that. “Everybody’s efforts are into competing against Liverpool.”We’re not in the driving seat (for the title). We don’t have the goal difference, so as far as I’m concerned, we have to catch up.”Most read in SportThis evening the London giants resume their battle to win the WSL title for a seventh time under Hayes.Against Liverpool in the WSL Chelsea have been dominant winning 11 of their last 13 league clashes.But they face a tough test against fifth-placed Matt Beard’s Reds who are fighting for a top four finish and have lost once in their last four games.Hayes adds: “They’ve had a brilliant season, vying for the top four.“Matt is a seasoned veteran in this league and knows what the needs are. I think moving into Melwood has really helped them as a club and they’re definitely a tough, tough team.”Anything other than a win from the first of Chelsea’s last four games this term, could risk them going trophyless under Hayes for the first time since 2016.
      A Chelsea win would see Emma Hayes’ side cut Man City’s lead to three points at the WSL’s summitCredit: Getty
      However, the Blues boss, who takes charge of the USA women’s team at the end of this term, expects to see a clinical performance from her players.She said: “We have to be ruthless in the final third, and the team knows what they need to do. “We worked on executing that and holding each other to account on those things, that’s what I will look forward to in this performance.” More

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      ‘Every person in the changing room means more to me than my right knee’, says injured Crystal Palace ace Elise Hughes

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      ELISE HUGHES insists making football history with Crystal Palace means more to her than her season being ended by a serious knee injury. The hotshot forward hopes the Eagles’ promotion to the Women’s Super League has put a smile on faces of club staff and fans.Elise Hughes was sidelined for Palace’s final game of the season after sustaining a knee ligament injury during the Eagles’ 2-0 win against Lewes on April 21Credit: GettyHughes and Annabel Blanchard have shone for the Eagles in attack this season.Credit: PAPalace will compete in the Women’s Super League for the first time in their history next seasonCredit: GettyCrystal Palace Prem star Marc Guehi was in the stands watching the Eagles’ women’s side in action against SunderlandCredit: PAThe South London side claimed their spot in the top tier ahead of next season following a 0-0 draw with Sunderland on Sunday.Hughes, who finished this as the Women’s Championship’s top scorer, has been among the shining lights for the promotion winners.The Wales ace netted 16 goals in 21 appearances this term before suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury during Palace’s 2-0 defeat of Lewes last Sunday.Hughes, 23, said: “If you wrote my story at the start of the year and said to me this is how your season is going to end, as upsetting it was for me personally,  I would have taken it.Read More Football Stories “That’s because every person in the changing room means more to me than my right knee at the minute.”The amount of people that are happy because of this trophy means more to me than what I’m about to go through (with my knee rehab). “And the reason I’m about to go through it with such a brave face is because of the amount of people I’ve got behind me right now.”I couldn’t have done (what I’ve done) this year without them.”Most read in FootballPalace men’s centre-back Marc Guehi was among the spectators watching from the terraces as Laura Kaminski’s side made the leap to the top-flight.The team won 14 and drew four of their 22 Championship duels following a season that saw them battle for supremacy with Sunderland, Charlton, Southampton and Birmingham.And Hughes, who began her senior playing career with Everton in 2017, hopes Palace’s promotion will lead to more girls taking up football across south London.The Eagles number nine adds: “Sometimes you have a ‘why’ of something so in-house of winning a league, and you realise how big your ‘why’ is away from the football pitch.“We know that we can inspire the next generation.””I see fans every day with a huge nine on their back or I see girls chanting the different players’ names and you think ‘wow, okay, we are making a difference’.  “If the girls get opportunities that we never got growing up, then we’re all winners.”Since making her Crystal Palace switch from Charlton two years ago, Hughes, who hails from Flintshire in Wales, admits to feeling very settled in south London.  And she puts this down to the bonds built with her Eagles team-mates and club staff.  Hughes said: “I’m from a small village in north Wales and I’ve come to South London and I’ve felt at home and it’s mainly down to the club. “It’s down to every staff member that walks into the building. No one goes past anyone without saying ‘hi’ and there’s always a smile and there’s always a reason to smile in that building. “I hope we’ve bought an even bigger reason to smile.”It was only in 2018 ago that Palace Women were a semi-professional outfit partly subsidised by former Palace men’s star striker Wilfried Zaha. At the time The Guardian reported players were being asked to each provide £250 towards their sponsorship. This trophy is for south London. The top-flight of women’s football is where this team deserves to be. Laura Kaminski, Crystal Palace Women’s head coachFor Palace Women’s gaffer Laura Kaminski the Eagles’ promotion is the start of what she  called a fantastic new journey for the team who are full-time It comes nine months after the former Charlton Women’s assistant, who has 15 years coaching experience, was appointed as Eagle’s head coach. Kaminski said: “This trophy is for South London. The top-flight of women’s football is where this team deserves to be. “For those who have watched us across this season, they have always been full of confidence about our playing style. “I think we play exciting football that people want to watch“This club is at the start of a fantastic journey. “This is the step we needed to take. We want to give ourselves the best opportunity in the WSL.”I feel like we’ve worked hard to get all the infrastructure in around the team. “I’ve been a coach for many, many years across the women’s game at several clubs and I decided I wanted to have my own identity and philosophy and really take a project. Laura Kaminski says Crystal Palace is the perfect fit for her as a coachCredit: PA”For me what is special about Crystal Palace was the place that Palace was in, really fitted me as a person. READ MORE SUN STORIES”For both myself and Grace Williams (our head of women’s football) when we met and discussed how this might look, it was a match made in heaven. “Now we’ve seen the results of that.” More

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      Emma Hayes calls out ‘worst’ ref decision ‘in Women’s Champions League history’ after Barcelona defeat Blues

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      EMMA HAYES blasted what she called the “worst decision in Women’s Champions League history” after Chelsea fell to a loss to Barcelona.Kadeisha Buchanan was given her marching orders in the second half of an intense battle with the Blues dispatched 2-1 on aggregate at Stamford Bridge.Emma Hayes and her players had their hopes of reaching the Champions League final ended by BarcelonaCredit: GettyLucy Bronze consoles her England team-mate and Chelsea captain Millie Bright following the final whistleCredit: GettyHayes criticised referee Iuliana Demetrescu following her second-half dismissal of Kadeisha BuchananCredit: GettyFridolina Rolfo’s spot-kick conversion clinched the win for Barca who were awarded a pen late onCredit: GettyThe second-leg defeat – watched by a record 39, 398-stromg crowd at the stadium led to the hosts being knocked out of the contest semis for the second year in a row by Spain’s top -flight leaders.It ended their dreams of lifting a Champions League trophy for the first and last time under Hayes, with the Blues chief taking over as United States’ women’s boss this year.It also saw hopes of a silverware double crushed with the WSL title remaining their only chance of a trophy following semis and final losses in the FA and Conti Cups.Buchanan was booked twice in four minutes by ref Iuliana Demetrescu.Read More Football StoriesFirst for a trip on Salma Paralluelo and then following challenge on Patri Guijarro with both players battling for possession.While the centre-back got the ball during the second incident, she was given her marching orders after Guijarro dropped to the turf clutching her foot.And she looked crestfallen as she headed straight down the tunnel after her 59th-minute second booking with her team-mates appeals dismissed by the ref.The sending off occurred after Barca had taken a first-half 1-0 following Aitana Bonmati’s strike deflecting into goal off Buchanan.Most read in FootballHayes said: “They had a strong first half, the deflected goal puts them in a good position.“But in the second half I felt we were just comiyng on top, and you could see the combination of the crowd and the players were driving us, the felt really confident.“So, when you get such a shocking refereeing decision, there’s nothing you can do about it.“It’s hard enough when you’ve got 11 but when you’ve got 10 it’s virtually impossible.”Of the foul that led to Buchanan’s dismissal, Hayes added: “Even the Barcelona players said the referee was helpful to them. I didn’t think it was a foul, let alone a yellow card.“When you lose a game, for us we didn’t feel we got the opportunity to lose it, that was taken away.“I was surprised when I saw her selected, she’s known for (giving) easy cards. That was probably the worst decision in UEFA Women’s Champions League history.Buchanan’s departure was followed by spot-kick drama with the visitors awarded a 74th-minute penalty.This occurred after Bonmati fell in the box after with a collision with Blues defenders Ashley Lawrence and Jess Carter.A VAR check upheld Demetrescu’s decision to award a pen netted by Fridolina Rolfo who sent keeper Hannah Hampton the wrong way before her bottom corner finish.Hayes, who had influential striker Mayra Ramirez absent, said: “I’m gutted for them [the players], we were robbed.“I genuinely believe we were on top of the game, we’d just hit the post, we could feel the momentum going in that direction, but we didn’t get the chance to experience that.All the talking is about that. Yes, we lost Mayra Ramirez after training, that didn’t help, but you need everything to go your way, two yellow cards, a deflection and a penalty, everything went their way.”At the game’s start the scene was set for what some Chelsea fans would have hoped would be a fairytale Stamford Bridge farewell to Hayes in her last appearance as Blues boss at the groundA record crowd of 39,398 flocked to watch the match – the largest ever for a women’s fixture at the ground let alone a Women’s Champions League battle.The opening 20 minutes saw the rivals vying for control of the ball  before Barcelona gained the upper hand in attack with Aitana Bonmati among their iggest threats.The Women’s Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring in the 25th minute with her angled shot following a Keira Walsh’s pass deflected into goal.But rather than let their heads drop Chelsea, who were without influential striker Mayra Ramirez, responded brightly.And they had some gilt-edged chances to level.The crowd roared when Melanie Leupolz struck the post from six yards out in the 31st minute.However, that effort would not have counted with Lauren James offside.And Catarina Macario forced a corner with her rifled effort forcing a parried save from Catalina Coll.Another huge chance went begging close to half-time with Nusken almost punishing a sloppy Barca back pass. She fed the ball to James who was somehow unable to slot home from close range.The second half saw Chelsea come out swinging in search of a leveller.But disaster struck when Buchanan was sent off.Hayes made a late roll of the dice sending on striker Aggie Beever-Jones for Leupolz. Aitana Bonmati broke the deadlock with her deflected first-half strikeCredit: GettyAnd a triple 84th-minute substitution saw Fran Kirby and Eve Perisset entering fray alongside skipper Millie Bright who played up top as a back-up striker.Chelsea appealed for a pen when Beever-Jones was brought down in the box late on. But a VAR check saw nothing award.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe visitors held out to claim the victory. A duel with Lyon or Paris-Saint Germain awaits them in the final in Bilbao, Spain in May. More