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    England 7 Austria 2: Grace Clinton nets during dream debut as Lionesses crush European rivals

    GRACE CLINTON showed amazing grace in England’s attack with a dream debut finish in the Lionesses’ humbling of Austria on Friday. Sarina Wiegman’s faith in the Tottenham’s starlet was rewarded during the 7-2 thumping that included Beth Mead netting a brace.
    Grace Clinton impressed in her first senior appearance for England netting the Lionesses’ second goalCredit: Getty
    Beth Mead and Alessia Russo both bagged two goals each with Sarina Wiegman’s side overwhelming AustriaCredit: Getty
    Aggie Beever-Jones and Khiara Keating were unused subs for England but could be in line for some minutes against ItalyCredit: Getty
    The performance saw last summer’s World Cup finalists get their Euros qualifiers preparations off to a flier.
    The team are to begin their battle for a place in next summer’s contest in April.
    And the result of the friendly played in southern Spain, means England are yet to be beaten by their rivals who fell to a tenth loss to the Lionesses.
    Although Austria got on the scoresheet twice at the at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador, the team struggled against their opponents’ press.
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    Before the game Wiegman spoke of experimenting and her players being over the heartbreak of missing out on play-offs for a Paris Olympics football spot for Team GB.
    It took her new look side, with Clinton making her first appearance, just three minutes to get off the mark.
    It was a opening goal out of Arsenal’s playbook with Gunners aces Alessia Russo and Mead combining and Russo pouncing on rebound of Mead shot’s for a tap-in.
    Austria’s nightmare start showed no signs of easing as England punished erroneous passes out from the back.
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    A swift counter saw them double their lead with Clinton heading home in the 19th minute just moments after striking the post.
    Against the run of play Austria pulled a goal back with England caught cold from a corner kick.
    That moment saw an unmarked Virginia Kirchberger head beyond an outstretched Hannah Hampton to make it 2-1 with half an hour gone.
    But any hopes of a miraculous fight back were thwarted with Mead’s stunning curled shot flying past her Gunners goalkeeper team-mate Manuela Zinsberger.
    The second half saw Wiegman shuffle her deck with Jess Carter and Jess Park among the players entering the fray.
    And Russo bagged her second after Sarah Zadrazil was caught in possession in the 61sth minute before making way for Rachel Daly.
    Carter added to the drubbing with a flicked finish past Zinsberger late on.
    Jess Carter got in the scoring with a flicked finish following an assist from Lotte Wubben-MoyCredit: Getty
    But Kirchberger caught England cold again from a set-piece with the defender out leaping Esme Morgan before Mead fired in England’s sixth goal with a minute of normal time left.
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    And Daly’s rifled in the team’s seventh after beating Zinsberger one-on-one in injury time.
    A friendly duel with Italy is up next for the Lionesses on Tuesday. More

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    London Overground line to be named after iconic England side following £6m rebrand

    THE new names of London’s six Overground lines have been revealed, with one set to be named after England’s Lionesses.Transport for London (TfL) has announced the changes are expected to cost about £6.3m to complete.
    TFL will name one of the new London Overground lines after the LionessesCredit: Getty
    TfL announced last summer its plan to give routes distinct names to make it easier for passengers to navigate the network.
    The new names for services will be the Lioness line, the Mildmay line, the Windrush line, the Weaver line, the Suffragette line and the Liberty line.
    Each will also have its own colour.
    With the Lioness line running from Euston to Watford Junction running through Wembley, the name is to honour the achievements of the England women’s football team.
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    On the map, it will be marked with yellow parallel lines.
    Sarena Wiegman had led England women to great success over the years.
    In 2022 the Lionesses won the European Championship at Wembley after beating Germany 2-1.
    And last year they were inches away from claiming another piece of silverware at the World Cup but lost 1-0 to Spain at the final in Sydney.
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    And they will not be able to redeem themselves at the Paris Summer Olympics in July as they failed to qualify after finishing second in their UEFA Women’s League Group.
    Despite a sensational 6-0 victory against Scotland back in December, table leaders Netherlands managed to finish above England after goal difference.
    Mary Earps wins SPOTY as Lioness makes history after England World Cup final run,
    Wiegman’s side will next face Austria in a friendly at the end of the month in Spain. More

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    Shamed ex-footie chief Luis Rubiales, 46, set to face trial over World Cup kiss scandal involving Jenni Hermoso, 33

    SPAIN’S ex-footie chief is set to face trial over his World Cup kiss scandal.A judge ruled yesterday there was “solid evidence” the kiss Luis Rubiales, 46, gave Jenni Hermoso, 33, was “not consensual”.
    Luis Rubiales is set to face trial over his World Cup kiss scandalCredit: Talk TV
    A judge ruled there was ‘solid evidence’ the kiss Rubiales gave Jenni Hermoso was ‘not consensual’Credit: Enterprise
    Rubiales grabbed the striker’s head and kissed her after Spain’s World Cup win over England in Australia last year.
    Ms Hermoso later filed a criminal complaint.
    A Madrid judge heard evidence to decide if the former president of Spain’s football federation should be tried for sexual assault and coercion.
    Mr de Jorge, who has already quizzed the former football boss and his alleged victim separately in closed sessions at Spain’s centralised Audiencia Nacional court, said in a five-page ruling made public today: “The investigation has revealed the existence of solid evidence the kiss Luis Manuel Rubiales Bejar gave the player Jennifer Hermoso was not consensual and was a unilateral and surprise initiative on his part.
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    “Whether there was no any erotic intention or it was a result of the state of euphoria and excitement experienced as a consequence of the extraordinary sporting triumph preceding it is something that should be valued in a public trial.”
    Rubiales, facing up to four years in jail, denies criminal wrongdoing.
    Ms Hermoso’s former coach Jorge Vilda, FA marketing manager Rubén Rivera and sports director of the men’s team Albert Luque also now face trial accused of pressuring her to say the kiss had been consensual. More

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    World Cup final venue revealed with never-seen-before element for showpiece after beating rival stadiums

    THE 2026 World Cup final is now set to be played indoors — after Fifa chiefs agreed Dallas’ AT&T Stadium will host the biggest game in football.Tournament chiefs will confirm more details about the first 48-team World Cup next month following a meeting in London this week.
    The 2026 World Cup will take place in America, Canada and MexicoCredit: AP
    The final of the tournament will take place at the AT&T Stadium in DallasCredit: GETTY
    SunSport has been told that the home of the Dallas Cowboys has beaten New York’s MetLife Stadium to host the showpiece.
    The Texan city will also be the main base for Fifa — rather than the other options of New York and Miami.
    Fifa is aiming to complete the 72-game group phase in 15 days, meaning up to five matches back to back in the first two rounds of games, with all teams guaranteed four days’ rest.
    But it remains unclear if identifying the eight third-place sides to go through to the knock-out phase will see Fifa split the tournament into two distinct halves to ensure sufficient rest for all teams.
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    The revised World Cup will feature a whopping 104 matches.
    The controversial and drastic change to the tournament format – which will be held in Mexico and Canada as well as the USA- was revealed by Fifa chiefs.
    A statement said: “Based on a thorough review that considered sporting integrity, player welfare, team travel, commercial and sporting attractiveness, as well as team and fan experience, the Fifa Council unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the Fifa World Cup 2026 competition format from 16 groups of three to 12 groups of four.
    With the top two and eight best third-placed teams progressing to a round of 32.
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    Gianni Infantino has claimed the 2026 World Cup will ‘change the balance in football’Credit: GETTY
    “The revised format mitigates the risk of collusion and ensures that all the teams play a minimum of three matches, while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”
    After the confirmation of the hosts for the competition, Fifa bigwig Gianni Infantino said: “Congratulations for the qualification of Mexico, Canada and the United States, who already qualified for this [FIFA] World Cup last week through the FIFA Council’s decision.
    “But in addition to those three, three more Concacaf teams will qualify for sure, and possibly even five.”
    President Infantino added: “This next World Cup in North America is going to be the World Cup of America.
    “It’s going to be the World Cup that will change the balance in football, because we are going to focus our work in this part of the world.” More

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    Sarina Wiegman signs new England deal and will lead Lionesses for 2027 Women’s World Cup as fans hail ‘best news ever’

    SARINA WIEGMAN has signed a contract extension with the England Women’s national team.The new deal will see the Lionesses boss take charge of the team for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
    Sarina Wiegman has signed a contract extension with the England Women’s teamCredit: Getty
    Wiegman won the 2022 Women’s Euros with EnglandCredit: Getty
    Wiegman has been in charge of the national team since 2021 and led them to success at the Euros the year after her arrival.
    She also got the team all the way through to the World Cup final last year before suffering heartbreak at the final hurdle in a loss to Spain.
    The Dutch boss is widely considered as one of the best managers in the women’s game and last night was voted The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for a record fourth time.
    Wiegman has explained how excited she is to continue on with the national squad in a statement released by England Football.
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    She said: “I am so happy to have the chance to lead England through to 2027 after an incredible two and a half years.
    “Looking forward, we have unfinished business and I know we are capable of even more, although nothing will come easy.
    “Our game is becoming so competitive at the top level. I relish that opportunity and can’t wait to start the EURO qualifiers, followed by the World Cup.
    “I would like to thank Mark Bullingham, Debbie Hewitt and the FA Board for their support. I also must mention Arjan Veurink. I am very delighted he has also extended his stay.
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    Wiegman has said she has ‘unfinished business’ as England boss after the Lionesses’ heartbreak in the World Cup finalCredit: PA
    “It is a fantastic job working with these amazing players and alongside great colleagues. And, of course, it is very special to be able to play a part in giving our fans such wonderful moments.”
    Wiegman will first try and defend England’s title as European champions in the 2025 Women’s Euros before taking charge for the 2025/26 Women’s Nations League too.
    Then she will have a second crack at World Cup glory for the 2027 World Cup with a host country yet to be announced.
    The 54-year-old’s contract is set to expire after the end of the tournament.
    Assistant Coach Arjan Veurink has also signed a new deal and is expected to continue aiding Wiegman.
    Fans have been left delighted at the news of an extension for the pair and took to social media to voice their opinions.
    One hailed the extension as the “best news ever”.
    While another added: “Terrific news. There’s nothing this woman cannot achieve with a fully fit squad. Players play for her, fans adore her and opponents respect her.”
    Wiegman was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for a record fourth time on Monday nightCredit: Getty More

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    Alessia Russo & Ella Toone stun in see-through outfits as Lionesses dominate Team of the Year XI at Fifa The Best awards

    ALESSIA RUSSO and Ella Toone both rocked see-through outfits at Fifa’s The Best awards on Monday night.The England duo stunned on the green carpet as the Lionesses dominated the Fifpro Women’s World XI at the glitzy bash.
    Alessia Russo stunned in a see-through outfit at Fifa’s The Best AwardsCredit: AP
    Ella Toone also rocked a see-through look as she posed on the green carpetCredit: Getty
    Russo and Toone were both named in the Fifpro Women’s World XICredit: Rex
    Russo and Toone were pictured in striking black outfits at The Apollo Theatre.
    Arsenal forward Russo wore her hair in a bun as she posed in a glittering all-in-one dress.
    Meanwhile, best pal Toone’s sleeveless look featured feathered shoulders, which she paired with a matching bag.
    Fans praised their style choices on social media, with one writing: “Alessia Russo. That’s the tweet.”
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    Another added: “Alessia Russo, you’re everything.”
    A third fan also commented: “Ella Toone looks absolutely stunning tonight.”
    Both players were included in the Fifpro Women’s World XI alongside five of their England team-mates.
    Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Lauren James were also rewarded for their Women’s World Cup heroics.
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    Fans hailed Toone’s ‘stunning’ outfit at Monday’s awards ceremonyCredit: Getty
    Russo was dubbed ‘everything’ by one fan on social mediaCredit: Getty
    Spain’s Olga Carmona and Aitana Bonmati, as well as forwards Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr completed the line-up.
    The Lionesses reached the final last summer before a heart-breaking defeat to Spain.
    Russo scored three times during England’s campaign, whilst Toone opened the scoring in the semi-final win over co-hosts Australia.
    Manager Sarina Wiegman was also rewarded by being named best women’s coach for a fourth time.
    As for Earps, she won best women’s goalkeeper ahead of Spain’s Cata Coll and Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
    The Manchester United stopper picked up the award for the second year running after saving a penalty in the World Cup final.
    Meanwhile, Manchester City dominated the Fifpro Men’s World XI with six of their stars making the team.
    John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland – beaten to the main individual prize by Lionel Messi – were all included from the treble winners.
    Real Madrid trio Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr also featured alongside Kylian Mbappe and Messi.
    Mary Earps was named best women’s goalkeeper at the awards showCredit: Getty
    Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman also picked up the best women’s coach awardCredit: Getty More

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    Sorry Grealish… Mary Earps’ Lionesses are UK’s ‘real rock stars’ with mag shoots, McDonalds ads and desperate celeb pals

    SHE was once so hard-up she worked five jobs to pay for petrol to get to football matches.

    But England goalie Mary Earps could now rake in millions after being named Sports Personality of the Year 2023.

    Mary picked up the Sports Personality of the Year trophy

    She fought to get Nike to make a replica of her shirt for fans

    The 30-year-old is set to follow in the commercial footsteps of other England female greats like Alex Scott, Chloe Kelly and captain Leah Williamson, with industry insiders hailing their ‘rock star’ appeal that is rapidly catching up with their Three Lions compatriots.

    Since winning last year’s Euros, the Lionesses have graced the cover of top fashion magazines, endorsed sports and fashion brands like Nike and Calvin Klein and promoted luxury names such as Gucci.

    One sports agent told The Athletic last year: “It feels like I’m managing a celebrity more than a footballer at the minute.

    “They’re demanding just as much – possibly even more – money than the male players. Brands and celebrities are passing on their numbers.”

    The Lioness’ fame soared further this year after making the final of the World Cup, losing out to Spain in a narrow game that ended 1-0.

    One expert said big-name companies will be lining up to offer Mary sponsorship deals because she is already a fan favourite, with thousands chanting her name from the stands.

    The stopper is popular not just for her keeper skills but for taking on sports giant Nike.

    She took a swipe at the firm for not making a replica of her goalkeeper shirt for fans. They were quickly rolled out and Mary was vindicated when they took five minutes to sell out online.

    Stars like Alessia Russo are attracting a new generation of fans

    Ella Toone and Russo strike a pose for a magazine front cover

    Beth Mead received her OBE from the Prince of Wales

    In June this year she launched her own brand MAE27 to offer supporters an alternative shirt with the motto: ‘Be unapologetically yourself’.

    She is the second Lioness in consecutive years to be named Sports Personality of the Year after Beth Mead was given the 2022 accolade.

    PR expert Sean O’Meara, of Essential Content, told us: “Mary could earn millions. Her potential is huge.

    “Winning Sports Personality of the Year opens up all sorts of opportunities and could make Mary a household name.

    “Brand and sponsorship deals will increase, presenting jobs are possible and no doubt reality TV shows and programmes like Strictly Come Dancing will start sniffing around.

    “It’s a giant opportunity. The whole Nike replica shirt furore boosted Mary’s popularity as the lovable underdog that everyone can root for.

    “Now she’s been introduced to a more mainstream audience with this award, people who aren’t necessarily football fans.

    “Being the second Lioness to win Sports Personality is good for the whole Lioness brand. They are a really strong, healthy brand with lots of authenticity and scandal-free.”

    Lucrative deals

    Ella Toone and Alex Greenwood have deals with McDonald’s

    Beth Mead even has a mini doll in her likeness

    Mary’s teammates call her the TikTok Queen and it’s easy to understand why.

    Alongside team-mate Millie Bright, she’s not afraid to show off her dance moves and also posts training clips.

    She has more than 750,000 followers on the platform.

    Yet it could have been all so differently for Mary, who has a degree in information management and business studies. 

    Three years ago the Man United goalie was ready to quit the beautiful game after being left out of the England squad.

    She told how she collapsed to her kitchen floor and cried before considering retirement, then accepting she might never make the national team.

    “I got to a point where I felt I had sort of reached my limits,” she said. 

    “I had given football a good go, but wasn’t quite good enough. I had responsibilities. I had a mortgage and it wasn’t adding up.”

    Mary is riding the crest of a wave after also winning Best Fifa Goalkeeper, the Super League Golden Glove, the World Cup Golden Glove and England Player of the Year. She also came fifth in the Ballon d’Or.

    Mary had already faced a tough ride at a time when women’s football was mainly ridiculed by men.

    Aged 17 and playing for Doncaster, Mary admitted “there was no real money in the game back then.”

    Yet to take driving lessons, she relied on other players to help take her to matches and took on two coaching roles as well as a job in a local cinema, a kids’ toy shop and telesales work at her dad’s firm to contribute to petrol money.

    She said: “There was a girl who even drove from Southampton up to Doncaster and used to pick me up on the way. It is mad how the game has changed since then.”

    Doors opened

    Alex Greenwood has a deal with Visa

    Twitter/@Mdawg1bright

    Millie Bright advertised Walkers crisps

    More people than ever are tuning in to watch the women’s game, with an audience of 21.2 million watching the BBC’s World Cup coverage this year.

    This has attracted mass sponsorship and brand deals for players.

    One agent told The Athletic how the team’s “feet didn’t touch the ground for months.”

    They continued: “We had so many requests from so many different areas — areas that previously we’d been trying to push doors down in.

    “Two days after the final, we booked in a day with our players where we had to sit down with pages and pages of requests. We had loads of big brands, including some that hadn’t done much work in women’s football, wanting to work with them.”

    Presenter Alex Scott is arguably the most famous Lioness and is said to be as worth as much as £4million.

    England captain Leah Williamson is reportedly also worth £4million after striking deals with Italian fashion house Gucci, Nike and Pepsi.

    Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, 24, who has deals with Adidas, Gucci, PlaySation and Beats by Dre, and graced the cover of Women’s Health, is said to be on a £100,000-a-year salary and is reportedly the first British star to make £1million in a year.

    Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood, 30, has a contract with sports brand Under Armour – estimated to be worth £250,000 – as well as jewellery brand Abott Lyon, for whom she designed football-themed bracelets and necklaces. She also champions Garmin watches.

    Fashion idols and luxury brands

    The Lionesses got MBE’s

    Leah Williamson is a fashion queen

    Chelsea forward Lauren James is just 22 but already has deals with Sure, Google Pixel and Nike.

    Stable mate Millie Bright, 30, is an ambassador for Walkers crisps and Pepsi while Chloe Kelly, who stripped to her bra in a victory celebration at the Euros, starred in a Calvin Klein underwear campaign. Range Rover is reputed to have tried to tie Chloe into a £1.5m deal.

    Manchester United midfielder Ella Toone, 23, is the face of Nike’s Phantom GX football boots and has deals with PlayStation and McDonald’s.

    Right-back Lucy Bronze has paired with Cupra cars, Visa, EE and Klarna.

    Last year’s Sports Personality of the Year winner, Arsenal player Beth Mead has deals with Budweiser and McDonald’s and has been spotted wearing Victoria Beckham clothes. 

    It is not known how much her endorsements are now worth but Beth was valued at £410,000 before winning the title.

    ‘Clean and healthy’

    Alex Scott leads the big earners

    Alex Greenwood strikes a pose

    Sean O’Meara says England’s female heroines will continue to attract big money as the game grows in popularity too.

    He said: “Men’s football still has more commercial clout but the women are catching up and Mary stands out as one of the players with a cult following.

    “Women’s football is attractive to companies because it’s viewed as ‘clean’ and healthy.

    “Male footballers are cleaner than they used to be and, on the whole, are undergoing a renaissance in terms of perception and what it means to be a player.

    “There are a lot of players who are challenging the play hard, drink hard culture from the 90’s, but overall the women’s game is seen as a safer, sometimes more attractive, bet.” More

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    Fans blast ‘bitter’ Joey Barton as he slams SPOTY winner Mary Earps as ‘big sack of spuds’

    FANS have blasted “bitter” Joey Barton as he slammed SPOTY winner Mary Earps calling her a “big sack of spuds”.The goalkeeper, 30, who was a key part of the Lionesses side which reached the Women’s World Cup final in the summer, topped the public vote for the award on Tuesday.
    Joey Barton has called SPOTY winner Mary Earps a ‘big sack of spuds’Credit: Alamy
    The goalkeeper, 30, topped the public vote for the award on TuesdayCredit: PA
    Barton questioned why Earps won it ahead of a host of champions in other fieldsCredit: Twitter
    Credit: Twitter
    Her success made her the third consecutive female winner after her England teammate Beth Mead won last year and US Open champion Emma Raducanu in 2021.
    But Barton, who claimed women are not qualified to talk about the men’s game, questioned why Earps won it ahead of a host of champions in other fields.
    He tweeted: “So the best sports person this year is… A Women Goalie. Lost in a couple of finals this year. Not won a sausage.
    “So popular that Nike didn’t even sell a replica jersey before tournament.
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    “You telling me all those who jumped on that bandwagon, haven’t voted in the BBC nonsense?
    “Good luck to Mary. Hope she makes a few quid.”
    Joey then added: “To win before Ronnie O’Sullivan and Frankie Dettori…? Well, that’s just madness to me.
    “Both almost genius like in their respective fields. They’ve lost to a big sack of spuds that plays in goal for a girls team.”
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    However many fans jumped to the defence of Earps.
    One said: “Joey Barton is a sad bitter t***.”
    Another commented: “Such a great moment for women’s sport. Mary Earps is such a talented footballer and an inspiration to so many young girls.
    “She’s also a hero to us older girls who didn’t get the chance. Thank goodness things have changed. Sport brings the world together.”
    The Prince of Wales also congratulated the Manchester United shot stopper.
    William, who is president of the Football Association, sent her a message on social media, posting on X: “Hugely well deserved, Mary. Congratulations! W”.
    It comes after Piers Morgan insisted that the Lionesses’ star should not have claimed the prize.
    Former Manchester City and Newcastle star Barton went into a tirade on X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming women are not qualified to talk about the men’s game.
    He said that women commentating on men’s football was the same as him “talking about knitting or netball” – and called those who disagreed with him “eunuchs” and “fart parcels”. More