Women’s World Cup 2023

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      Gianni Infantino ‘at it again’ say fans as Fifa president gives cringe speech telling women ‘you have the power’

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      FIFA president Gianni Infantino has baffled fans with a bizarre speech ahead of the Women’s World Cup final.The 53-year-old, who holds the most powerful position in football, told female players that they have to “pick the right battles” in the fight for equal pay and treatment.
      Infantino gave a bizarre speech on Friday about women in footballCredit: Getty
      Those in the audience looked unimpressedCredit: Sky Sports
      The speech drew criticism from former Ballon d’Or winner HegerbergCredit: Getty
      Speaking in Sydney, he said: “I say to all the women, and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home, I say to all the women that you have the power to change.
      “Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights. You have the power to change.
      “You have the power to convince us men what we have to do and what we don’t have to do. You do it. Just do it.
      “With men, with Fifa, you will find open doors. Just push the doors. They are open.”
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      Infantino’s bizarre speech left many fans gobsmacked, with one person tweeting: “I regret to inform you that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is at it again.”
      Another added: “It’s easier to tweet when he’s not at it.”
      A third wrote: “As a man myself, people like him making comments like that make me cringe.
      “Many of us fellas are better than him, believe me. Women are better than him. Most people are better than him!”
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      A fourth person commented: “Decades of keeping women out and now he’s saying just push the doors open. No, you need to invite them in.”
      While a fifth simply said: “He really needs to just stop talking.”
      Infantino’s comments also drew criticism from Lyon striker and former Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.
      The Norway international tweeted: “Working on a little presentation to convince men. Who’s in?”
      Infantino shocked fans with his unusual speech prior to the Men’s World Cup in November.
      He started an hour-long presentation by saying: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.
      “Of course I am not Qatari, Arab, gay or disabled.”
      England are set to face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
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      The Lionesses are undefeated so far at this Women’s World Cup, having secured wins over Haiti, Denmark, China, Nigeria, Colombia and Australia.
      Meanwhile, Spain have won all-but one game on their way to the final. More

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      Sky Sports make TV schedule decision amid clash with Women’s World Cup final after fans called for fixture to be moved

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      SKY SPORTS have dug their heels in and will NOT be changing their programming to accommodate the Women’s World Cup final.The Lionesses will bid to win their second successive trophy in as many tournaments when they face Spain in Sunday’s final in Sydney, Australia.
      England women will face Spain in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday morningCredit: REX
      Norwich’s Championship match with Millwall will clash with the match byCredit: PA
      England’s historic showdown with their Spanish counterparts – which will be aired on the BBC and ITV – is set to get underway at 11am.
      A tasty Championship clash between Norwich and Millwall at Carrow Road, however, is set to be broadcast on Sky an hour later – meaning footie fans have to choice to make on which match they watch.
      But Sky insist the original kick-off time for the second-tier match – which faced calls to be rescheduled – WILL remain the same.
      A Sky spokesperson told The Mirror: “All relevant stakeholders were consulted and considered in this decision, as with all decisions of this nature.”
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      Victory over Spain will see England become world champions just over a year after their European Championships triumph at Wembley.
      Coach Sarina Wiegman told Sky Sports: “We really want to leave with that World Cup.
      “We have an opponent that’s really strong.
      “What we’re focusing on is how do we want to play, and we’re going to do anything to be at our best.
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      “And then hopefully that gives us the success we want.”
      Wiegman – who is in the running to take charge of the England men’s team – is relishing the historic showdown with the Spanish.
      She said: “[I’m] very excited. I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we’re in a very good place.”
      Wiegman reckons winning the World Cup will be another watershed moment for women’s football in England.
      The Dutchwoman said: “It’s just really, really nice when you get so far in a tournament and you make a final that everyone is watching,
      “And that gives a boost to the women’s game in England, but also worldwide, here in Australia.
      “You’ve seen the whole country was behind them. And that’s very exciting to be part of.” More

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      Seven controversial and awkward moments at the Women’s World Cup from handshake snub to X-rated blast and BBC apology

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      THE Women’s World Cup will come to an end this weekend when England face Spain in a thrilling finale.It has been a tournament to remember, with so many twists and turns, unexpected exits and underdog stories.
      The Women’s World Cup comes to an end this weekendCredit: AP
      But amongst all that there has been some controversial moments.
      From X-rated rants to awkward interviews and even the odd broadcasting gaffe, this summer has had it all.
      So as the curtain starts to fall, SunSport looks back at some of the most bizarre and contentious moments from the last month.
      Handshake snub
      ON the opening day of the Women’s World Cup, Ireland defender Ruesha Littlejohn caused a stir when she refused to shake the hand of Australia winger Caitlin Foord.
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      Littlejohn snubbed a handshake with Foord on the opening dayCredit: ITV
      Fans suggested that the snub may have been motivated by Littlejohn’s split from long-term partner and Ireland captain Katie McCabe.
      They separated after more than seven years together shortly before the World Cup – as confirmed by McCabe on the UK’s Player Tribune.
      McCabe and Foord – who both play for Women’s Super League giants Arsenal – are good friends off the field and went on holiday to Ibiza together prior to the tournament.
      Littlejohn and Foord then clashed late in the match – which ended 1-0 to the Aussies – and the Ireland star had to be restrained by her team-mates.
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      German star gets POTM – despite exit
      ALEXANDRA POPP was far from impressed when she picked up her Player of the Match trophy following Germany’s 1-1 draw with South Korea.
      The shock result saw the European giants crash out of the Women’s World Cup at the group stages.
      Popp looked far from happy after picking up her POTM trophyCredit: Getty
      Despite the circumstances, Popp was named Player of the Match.
      But the devastated star could not have looked less happy when posing with her prize.

      X-rated blast picked up on TV
      IN another group stage gaffe, BBC commentators were forced to apologise after a foul-mouthed rant was overheard on TV during a match between Canada and Australia.
      In the 65th minute of the clash, Canada’s Allysha Chapman used some colourful language after clashing with Hayley Raso.
      Chapman’s foul language was picked up by TV microphones after she clashed with RasoCredit: AP
      She shouted: “She f***ing jumped into me you t***!”
      It prompted BBC commentator Robyn Cowen to swiftly apologise for the language.
      Cowen said: “Apologies there if any language was picked up on the very sensitive pitch-side microphones it seems.”
      Graphic gaffe
      THE BBC dropped an embarrassing clanger ahead of the first Women’s World Cup semi-final on Tuesday.
      Ahead of Spain’s clash with Sweden, the broadcaster somehow completely messed up both line-up graphics.
      The BBC completely messed up the line-up graphicsCredit: Twitter @mj_kane
      Pictures of England stars were used instead of Spain and Sweden playersCredit: Twitter @mj_kane
      For both semi-finalists, the starting XI was shown with the correct player names in the right positions.
      But the BBC used photos of ENGLAND players instead in a hilarious blunder.
      It saw Lauren James’ face used for two-time Ballon d’Or Feminin winner Alexia Putellas and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd while Mary Earps took her place in goal under the names Catalina Coll and Zecira Musovic.
      BBC apologise for ‘inappropriate’ question
      BBC chiefs were forced to apologise after a reporter asked Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak an “inappropriate” question during a press conference.
      Chebbak faced the media prior to Morocco’s Women’s World Cup opener against Germany.
      Chebbak was asked an inappropriate question during a press conferenceCredit: Reuters
      During the presser, the forward was asked if there are any gay players in Morocco’s squad.
      A BBC World Service reporter asked: “In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”
      The moderator immediately stepped in, saying: “Sorry, this is a very political question, so we’ll just stick to questions relating to football.”
      Following the incident, a BBC spokesperson told CNN: “We recognise that the question was inappropriate.
      “We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”
      Rapinoe’s awkward interview
      MEGAN Rapinoe was forced to correct a reporter for an error following the USA’s 0-0 draw with Portugal.
      Reigning champions USA shocked fans by finishing second in Group E – two points behind table-toppers Netherlands.
      Rapinoe was forced to correct a reporter during an interviewCredit: Getty
      The Stars and Stripes confirmed their spot in the knockouts following the draw, but one reporter questioned Rapinoe if she would’ve liked more from the game.
      She responded: “What are you digging for here? I mean of course you want to win every game obviously but ultimately we don’t want to be going home…we’re alright.”
      The reporter then got her facts muddled by suggesting the last time the USA finished second in a group at the Women’s World Cup they still won the tournament.
      However, Rapinoe was quick to correct her, adding: “Japan won in 2011 actually. We did make it to the final but if you want to get to the final you have to get through the group stage I guess…”
      The USA then crashed out of the tournament at the round-of-16 on penalties following a 0-0 draw with Sweden.
      Rapinoe missed her spot kick before Lina Hurtig sent Sweden through in dramatic fashion.
      Spain’s ongoing feud with Vilda
      SPAIN’S successful Women’s World Cup campaign has been marred by an ongoing feud behind the scenes.
      Last September, 18 senior players – including Aitana Bonmati, Ona Batlle and two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas – went on STRIKE and protested a series of issues involving members of the coaching staff as well as the Royal Spanish Football Federation.
      Spain have been embroiled in an ongoing feud with VildaCredit: PA
      Putellas snubbed Vilda and his assistant after being substituted in the semi-finalsCredit: Getty
      Sources told The Athletic that they pointed to a lack of professionalism from the RFEF and complained about the behaviour of certain members of Jorge Vilda’s coaching team.
      Despite claims that Vilda had created a toxic atmosphere among the camp, the RFEF stood by the manager.
      And many fans and players were left angered as a result.
      Despite this, five striking players travelled to the World Cup, while three chose to stay at home.
      Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Claudia Pina all made themselves unavailable for selection for the 23-woman squad.
      And despite their absence, Spain have been able to advance all the way to the final.
      But there is still some friction among the players and the staff.
      Read More on The Sun
      After being substituted in the 57th minute of Spain’s semi-final clash with Sweden, Alexia Putellas completely dismissed Vilda and his assistant coach before taking to the bench.
      Several Spanish stars have also been filmed ignoring the manager on a number of occasions throughout the tournament. More

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      Who is Millie Bright’s boyfriend Levi Crew?

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      ENGLAND captain Millie Bright is riding high on the Lioness’ success, with her team set to take on Spain in the final of the Women’s World Cup.The defender, from Chesterfield, has no doubt had the support of friends, family, and boyfriend Levi Crew, during the FIFA tournament.
      Mille Bright and boyfriend Levi Crew have posed for adorable pictures together on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      Who is Millie Bright’s boyfriend Levi Crew?
      Levi Crew is a performance coach, nutritionist and personal trainer from America.
      He has been in a relationship with Millie Bright since at least 2020.
      At the beginning of their romance the pandemic appeared to keep the pair in a long-distance relationship but, per his LinkedIn, Levi is now based in the UK with Millie.
      According to OK! Online, the couple share a home together in Surrey.
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      The adorable pair also share their pad with Millie’s two French Bulldogs Zeus and Hera, named after two Greek gods.
      Millie has a tattoo of Levi’s eye on her left forearm.
      The design also features half a tiger.
      “It’s my partner’s eye and half a tiger, my core strength with me through thick and thin,” she told SunSport of the inking.
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      What have Millie Bright and Levi Crew said about each other on social media?
      Back in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Millie appeared to hint at a long distance romance with Levi as she said on social media: “Dear Santa, Please send Levi back home now. Thanks a mill”.
      He has since relocated to the UK and often makes appearances on Millie’s Instagram.
      The footballer regularly shares adorable pictures of herself and her boyfriend with her followers, referring to Levi as her “king”.
      In October 2022 she uploaded a birthday tribute to Levi, writing: “Happy Birthday stunner, luckily you get to spend it with me.
      “Another year of incredible memories, cheers to the future, loving doing life with you bubs.”
      She has also referred to Levi as her “reason why,” captioning a series of pictures of the couple together with: “Find your reason why and you can conquer anything.”
      Levi’s social media is mainly focussed on his business endeavours but he did give his partner a sweet shout out amid the Women’s World Cup.
      Alongside a picture of himself and Millie posing in a car, he wrote: “I think proud is an understatement!
      “What a job you have done this tournament!”
      He also posted pictures of himself and Millie on various holidays over the years, uploading snaps from trips to Canada and Egypt.
      Who has Millie Bright previously dated?
      Prior to dating Levi, Millie was in a relationship with Jordan Bird.
      Read More on The Sun
      Bird, who is the same age as Millie, works at the famous Royal Mid-surrey Golf Club in Old Deer Park in Richmond, south west London.
      The couple used to regularly gush about each other on social media but they split some time before Millie began dating her new partner. More

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      Women’s World Cup star’s classy gesture spotted as Chelsea aces Millie Bright and Sam Kerr embrace at full-time

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      SAM KERR put aside her World Cup heartache with an incredible display of class after Australia’s defeat to England.The co-hosts’ dreams of lifting the trophy on home soil ended on Wednesday when they were dumped out of the tournament at the semi-final stage.
      Sam Kerr and Millie Bright are team-mates at ChelseaCredit: GETTY
      The Blues team-mates were rivals in Wednesday’s Women’s World Cup sem-finalCredit: AP
      Kerr and Bright embraced on and off the pitch after the final whistleCredit: AP
      The Aussies suffered a 3-1 defeat to the roaring Lionesses, who are on the brink of winning their second successive trophy in as many tournaments.
      Kerr – who levelled the scores in the second half with a stunning strike from distance – cut a dejected figure but composed herself to congratulate the opposition.
      Her biggest embrace was for Chelsea team-mate and best pal Millie Bright.
      The pair had a moment on the pitch after the final whistle, with Bright consoling her Blues team-mate.
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      But, according to The Daily Mail, they had a heartwarming moment off camera, which resulted in Kerr gifting Bright her match top.
      Bright had no issue putting aside her friendship with Kerr as the match kicked off, saying: “I love Sam but as soon as you step over that white line, she’s the opponent.
      “For me, it doesn’t matter what happens away from here, she’s an opponent and there’s a job to be done.
      “It was a very different story after the game, though.”
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      Bright donned Kerr’s Matlidas top in her post-match interview with Channel 7.
      She revealed: “I’ve been after this shirt for a long time.
      “She is an incredible player and world-class.
      “She gets one moment and it’s in the back of the net.
      “In football, we always have huge amounts of respect for our opponents.
      “And some of our opponents are more than that, they are friends as well.”
      England will bid to end 57 years of World Cup hurt on Sunday afternoon when they face Spain at Stadium Australia in Sydney. More

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      Who is Alex Greenwood’s boyfriend Jack O’Connell?

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      ALEX Greenwood is one of England’s Lionesses vying to take home the World Cup in Australia.The football star has impressed over the Women’s World Cup, but who is her boyfriend Jack O’Connell?
      The pair met at schoolCredit: Instagram/@alexgreenwood5
      Who is Alex Greenwood’s boyfriend Jack O’Connell?
      Alex Greenwood is in a relationship with former football star Jack O’Connell.
      The pair have bonded over their love of the game and have known each other for quite some time.
      Jack is a former footballer himself, playing for Sheffield United as a centre-back before having to retire due to an injury.
      He was put on the bench for nearly two years due to two major surgeries after a knee injury.
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      It was announced in July that he was retiring from his football career.
      Speaking about their relationship, Alex told The Guardian: “Often, at home, all Jack and I talk about is football, we watch it and analyse it all the time.
      “People ask what I do to get away from the game but I don’t want to escape it.”
      How did Alex Greenwood and Jack O’Connell meet and how long have they been together?
      Alex and Jack have been together for quite some time, first meeting at school.
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      The couple both grew up in Merseyside before meeting at their sixth-form college Savio Salesian in Bootle.
      The pair tend to keep their relationship on the down low, occasionally sharing sweet snaps of each other to their Instagram pages.
      What has Jack O’Connell said about Alex Greenwood?
      Jack has publicly supported his girlfriend throughout her footballing career.
      During the Women’s World Cup Jack has made it clear how proud he is of Alex.
      He told Sky Sports during the tournament: “[I’m] really proud of her. I’ve been there from the very start. I used to go and watch Alex when she was 16. It’s unbelievable how far it’s grown now.
      “I’m her biggest critic as well. The standard that she sets herself, she has more to come. I get goose bumps when I think about it but I think she’s one of the best centre-halves in the world and she still has gears to go through.” More

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      Who is Jorge Vilda, Spain’s women’s football manager?

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      SPAIN and England are set for the biggest match in their history in the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup final.The Lionesses, overseen by manager Sarina Wiegman, will take on Jorge Vilda Rodríguez’s Spanish team on Sunday, August 20, 2023.
      Spain’s coach Jorge Vilda has overseen his team’s journey to the final of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World CupCredit: DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images
      Who is Jorge Vilda Rodríguez?
      Jorge Vilda Rodríguez is a Spanish football coach and manager.
      He was born on July 7, 1981, in Madrid.
      He has been head coach of Spain’s women’s national football team since 2015.
      Vilda was once a football player himself, having been a part of Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and FC Barcelona’s youth teams.
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      But after two major knee injuries at the age of 17, he moved into coaching instead.
      Much of Vilda’s coaching career has seen him involved with Spain’s women’s youth squads.
      He took on the role of assistant coach at WU17 and WU19 level before becoming the head coach for Spain’s WU17s in 2009, a position he held for five years.
      Vilda is married to his wife María, who he reportedly shares two children with.
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      Much of Vilda’s private life is kept out of the spotlight.
      How did Jorge Vilda become Spain’s women’s football manager?
      Vilda took on the role of manager of Spain’s women’s football team in 2015.
      His coaching career began with CD Canillas, a small neighbourhood club in Madrid. 
      He then moved into working with the Spain’s national women’s youth teams, eventually working his way up to become manager of the senior team.
      Vilda’s stint with Spain’s women’s team, while nearing a decade long, has not been without some hurdles.
      In September 2022, fifteen of Spain’s players wrote letters to the Spanish football federation threatening to quit if Vilda was not fired.
      In the letters, the players spoke about the impact Vilda’s coaching had on “their emotional state and their health”.
      The federation responded to the letters in a statement, demanding the players apologise to their manager.
      The statement added that the federation would “not allow the players to question the continuity of the national coach and his coaching staff, since making those decisions does not fall within their powers”.
      The letters came shortly after Spain reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 Euros, where they were defeated by England.
      The Lionesses went on to win the tournament, and Spain’s players were thought to be disgruntled with team selection, training sessions and how injuries were managed at the competition.
      Vilda later spoke out about the drama, saying he had not considered resigning.
      He said: “It would be unfair, for what we created in the past and are in the present.”
      However, Vilda picked three of the 15 Spain players who mutinied against him in his World Cup 2023 squad.
      The team snubbed Vilda as they celebrated reaching the final.
      What is Jorge Vilda’s net worth?
      Reports suggest Vilda has an estimated net worth between £1.5million and £4million.
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      He has likely amassed this fortune through his work as a football coach in Spain.
      The manager is thought to take home over £354,000 annually. More

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      How Lionesses celebrated reaching World Cup final after smashing Australia 3-1 revealed

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      THE Lionesses celebrated reaching the World Cup final with chips and gravy — and a sing-song.Semi-final goal-scorer Ella Toone, 23, revealed the players tucked into the northern treat after beating Australia’s Matildas 3-1 in Sydney.
      Semi-final hero Ella Toone revealed the players enjoyed a portion of chips and gravy after beating Australia 3-1 in SydneyCredit: Getty
      The Manchester United midfielder told the latest episode of Lionesses Down Under: “We got back quite late. We had some chips and gravy.”
      Asked to describe the bus ride after the match, Toone said: “The vibe was really good — we were all singing.”
      But not everyone was as energetic after a hard fought semi-final.
      Teammate Jess Carter, 25, said: “I just don’t know how everyone had the energy. I had my headphones in.”
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      Toone’s latest strike made her the first England player to score in a quarter-final, semi-final and final of major international tournaments.
      She said: “It’s not a bad stat that, is it.
      “One that will stay with me for life.”
      Wednesday night’s semi-final at Stadium Australia in Sydney was played in front of a sellout 75,784 crowd.
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      According to Australian football news outlet KEEPUP the match was the most watched TV event in Australian history.
      More than 11million – 42 per cent of the country – reportedly tuned in on Channel 7. More