Women’s Super League

SWEDEN’S women’s players were instructed to show their genitalia to medical staff at the 2011 World Cup to show that they were female. The shocking details were revealed by central defender Nilla Fischer, in her book, ‘I Didn’t Even Say Half Of It’.
Nilla Fischher (centre) described the experience of undergoing gender checks during the 2011 World Cup as ‘humiliating’Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Fischer and Sweden her team-mates reached the semi-finals of the tournament before being knocked out by JapanCredit: Getty – Contributor
The former Sweden ace, 38, who has 194 international caps, explains examinations were done by a female physiotherapist on behalf of a doctor. 
She revealed the gender checks had come about after Fifa demanded national federations to determine whether their players were female. 
The tests, which Fischer described as “sick” and “humiliating” occurred following allegations involving the Equatorial Guinea squad. 
The accusations followed complaints from Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. 
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In her book Fischer, who retired last December, wrote: “We were told that we should not shave ‘down there’ in the coming days and that we will show our genitalia for the doctor.  
“(At the time we thought) why are we forced to do this now, there has to be other ways to do this. Should we refuse?’
“At the same time no one wants to jeopardise the opportunity to play at a World Cup.
“We just have to get the sh** done, no matter how sick and humiliating it feels.”
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Fischer, who played for six clubs including Wolfsburg, during her 24-year senior career, appeared for Sweden in four World Cups. 
The former centre-back helped her team reach the semis of the 2011 tournament in Germany where they were beaten by eventual contest winners Japan. 
In an interview with Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Fischer described the gender testing she and her team-mates experienced at the tournament as extremely odd. 
She told Aftonbladet: “I understand what I have to do and quickly pull down my training pants and underwear at the same time.
“The physio nods and says ‘yup’ and then looks out at the doctor who is standing with his back to my doorway. 
“He makes a note and moves on in the corridor to knock on the next door.
“When everyone on our team is checked, that is to say, has exposed their vagina, our team doctor can sign that the Swedish women’s national football team consists only of women.
“It’s an extremely strange situation and overall not a comfortable way to do it.”
Fischer retired from playing from her national side three months before hanging up her boots in December last year.  
Sweden will play South Africa in their Group G opener in Wellington, New Zealand at this year’s Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
In response to the ex-Sweden player’s revelations, Fifa said they have “taken note of recent comments”.  
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A fortnight before the start of the 2011 World Cup which was held in Germany,  the global football body published its current gender verification regulations. 
It states “participating member associations shall ensure that all players are eligible for selection in accordance with Fifa statutes.” More

MANA IWABUCHI has been left out of Japan’s squad for the World Cup this summer after playing for the team in the 2019 contest. The omission of the forward comes after a season in which she made just 13 WSL appearances. 
Iwabuchi has been left out of Japan squad for the Women’s World CupCredit: Getty
The forward was part of the Japan side that won the tournament in 2011 by beating the United States in a penalty shootoutCredit: Reuters
Iwabuchi, 30, moved to Tottenham from Arsenal on a temporary deal in January in search of more playing time before the tournament.
Before her loan move, the Japan international had played in just three top-flight games for the Gunners having fallen down their pecking order.
The forward, who netted once in 13 games across all competitions for Spurs, was part of the Japan side that won the 2011 World Cup beating the USA via a penalty shootout.
She was also part of the team that reached the final in Canada four years later where they fell to a 5-2 loss to the United States.  
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However she had at times struggled for playing time last season featuring in just five games for Arsenal across all competitions before her January move. 
Coach Futoshi Ikeda said: “Iwabuchi is a player who has done a lot to drive this team forward but I am choosing 23 players for this specific time and there is no one reason for my choices.
“It’s about form, fitness, the state of the team and what we need in certain situations”
Four WSL players have been included in Ikeda’s 23-strong squad. 
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Liverpool’s Fuka Nagano and West Ham pair Risa Shimizu and Honoka Hayashi have been named as well as Manchester City midfielder Yui Hasegawa. 
Iwabuchi’s omission means skipper Saki Kumagai is the only player in the current squad from the 2011 World Cup-winning side. 
The Japan defender, who scored the tournament-winning spot-kick in the penalty shootout against the USA, moved to AS Roma from Bayern Munich. 
Kumagai and her team-mates will compete in Group C in this year’s World Cup alongside Spain, Costa Rica and Zambia. 
Saki Kumagai is the only member of the 2011 World Cup-winning Japan side included in the squad for this year’s tournamentCredit: Getty
The last tournament in France in 2019 saw the Netherlands knock Japan out at the last 16 phase. 
Ikeda’s side will face Zambia in their group stage opener
The match will take place at Stadium Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand on July 22.  More

JUST three of the 15 Spain players who mutinied against head coach Jorge Vilda have been included in his provisional World Cup squad.Manchester United’s Ona Batlle is among the three aces on Vilda’s long-list having made herself available for selection. 
Ona Batlle has included been included in Jorge Vilda’s provisional Spain squad ahead of the World CupCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Aitana Bonmati has been recalled after being named Women’s Champions League of the Year last seasonCredit: Getty
Manchester United ace Lucia Garcia has been left out of Vilda’s squadCredit: Getty
The Red Devils full-back is one of 12 players ready for Spain duty  after being among the 15 who stood down last September.
The players stood down amid concerns over conditions at international camps and Vilda’s managerial approach.
Last week sports news outlet Marca claimed the 12 players would no longer stay away having reached a consensus with their country’s football federation the RFEF.
Barcelona’s Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati have also been included in Vilda’s provisional group. 
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Last September the RFEF claimed 15 players had sent them emails stating their wish to not be selected over conditions at international camps. 
The players outlined concerns that the situation had “significantly” affected their emotional state and health. 
While Batlle has been recalled, her United and Spain pal Lucia Garcia, who was among the 15 players who had been on strike, has been left out. 
Her omission comes almost a year on from her representing Spain at last summer’s Euros and helping them to reach the quarter-final stage. 
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And Manchester’s City’s Laia Aleixandri and Leila Ouahabi have also been left out. 
Spain will be without the services of a trio of Barcelona players  who helped their team win this year’s Champions League final with a 3-2 defeat of Wolfsburg.  
Barca goalkeeper Sandra Panos, forward Claudia Pina and defender Mapi Leon have not made themselves available for an international call-up. 
Midfielder Patri Guijarro, who netted a two-minute brace in the Champions League final, is also unavailable.
And Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Lola Gollardo did not make herself available for Spain duty. 
Barca superstar Alexia Putellas has been included on Vilda’s long list. 
The midfielder,  recently returned to fitness from a knee ligament injury, had been crocked for much of this season 
Putellas was not among the 15 players who had stood down from international duty.
However the two-time Ballon d’Or winner shared the concerns flagged by her team-mates regarding training conditions and management of injuries in the national set-up.
Following the squad announcement Vilda told reporters: “I will speak about the players who are here and not the ones who aren’t
“The RFEF has always been open to dialogue. The conflict is practically resolved, a few details would remain. 
“We would be delighted if that were the case, but we look at the players who are committed and have shown their commitment.”
Vilda is set to trim his 30-strong squad to 23 on June 30. 
The team will play their Group C opener against Costa Rica on July 21 at Wellington Regional Stadium in
It remains to be seen whether the players now available for selection for the world’s sixth best national side will make the final cut.  
However the team has been boosted by Putellas recovery from a damaged ACL. 
Vilda added: “It’s great news Alexia is back and she’s played minutes with her club.
Spain chief Jorge Vilda is set to cut his squad to 23 players on June 30Credit: Getty
“In this time we have played 11 games and we have won 9, including the game against the USA that we won for the first time.
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“With the players we have now, I’m sure we’ll continue to rise in the ranking.
“We know that she (Putellas) is going to help us a lot both on and off the pitch because of her leadership and her experience.” More

ENGLAND will take on fellow World Cup rivals Portugal in their final game on home soil before the tournament. The  July 1 duel takes place 13 days before a sterner behind-closed-doors-test in Australia against Olympic gold winners Canada. 
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses will take on Portugal in the first of their final two World Cup warm-up gamesCredit: Getty
Jessica Silva and her Portugal team-mates fell to a 2-1 loss to Japan in April in their previous internationalCredit: Getty
Last year’s Euros winners will then face Haiti in a World Cup Group D opener on July 22 
England’s duel with Portugal, to be aired live on ITV1, will kick-off at 3:15pm at the Stadium MK. 
There were question marks around the Lionesses’ clash with Portugal as the timing for the start of their warm-up camp had not been finalised.
This follows the European Clubs Association (ECA) stating players should only be available ten days before the World Cup.
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Since then ECA later proposed an alternative release timeframe of June 23-29.  
And FA have confirmed players will be released by their clubs for the international camp on June 19. 
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman said: “I am really pleased to have a competitive game for our last home fixture. 
“We had two big games in April against Brazil and Australia where we learned so  much. 
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“This will be another challenging match against a team that have performed well and  are going to their first World Cup.”
The last clash between England and Portugal, who were knocked out at the group stage of last year’s Euros, ended in a 1-0 Lionesses win in October.
Back then Beth Mead netted the only goal of the game for the side who were then managed by Phil Neville. 
England’s opponents have won two of their last four international fixtures this year which include a 1-1 home draw with Wales.
Other results include a 5-0 drubbing of World Cup co-hosts New Zealand in February with Sporting Lisbon striker Ana Capeta netting a brace. 
Wiegman added: “Portugal will also want to show they can be a threat to teams in Australia, and they have  very technical players with good ability. 
“For us, it will be important to come together again  as a team after the end of the club season and feel the support of our fans.”
The Lionesses’ final match before they begin their quest for World Cup glory will see them face Canada. 
The Tokyo Olympic Gold medallists are seen as one of the tournament’s favourites having won six of their last 10 games.
Victories under Bev Priestman, who this week named a 25-strong provisional squad, include two September defeats of Australia. 
The Durham-born manager, who was working as theLionesses assistant from 2018 to 2020, has named seven WSL players in her side. 
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming have been called up along with Reading forward Deanne Rose and Arsenal goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo. 
Tottenham captain Shelina Zadorsky has also been named along with Man United’s Jayde Riviere and Adriana Leon. 
Chelsea’s Kadeisha Buchanan is among seven WSL players included in Canada’s provisional squad before the World CupCredit: Getty
The Canada chief said: “Picking this roster brought some incredibly difficult decisions and conversations, which I think speaks volumes to how competitive and exciting the group is.”
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Priestman is set to name her final 23-strong squad on July 9 five days before her team’s pre-World Cup duel with England. 
She added: “In the final twenty-three player roster, I know we will have a fantastic blend of experienced players along with World Cup debutants who are big part of the future of this programme.” More