World Cup qualifiers

THE Scottish FA has hit back after Scotland Women’s stars called out the limited number of tickets for the squad’s clash with Spain.   Players criticised the allocation made available for the World Cup qualifier duel at Hampden Park.
Scotland Women players criticised the limited number of tickets available for their game against Spain at Hampden ParkCredit: The Sun
The team, who competed in the contest for the first time in France 2019, face their Spanish opponents at their national stadium on April 12.
However, just six sections at the ground, which has a 51,866 capacity, have been made available and are reportedly close to selling out.
Those sections are P1 to P3 and L4 to L6.
West Ham’s Lisa Evans, on loan from Arsenal, and Leicester’s Sophie Howard are among the players who expressed dismay at limited tickets for the match.
And they highlighted large crowds seen at a number of women’s football games in recent weeks.
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Last week Barcelona broke the attendance record for a women’s club fixture with more than 91,000 fans at the Nou Camp for their clash with Real Madrid.
A number of players from both clubs could be in line to feature in the Spain side due to visit Hampden Park next Tuesday.
Scotland aces including Manchester City’s Caroline Weir took to social media to share concerns over limited tickets for the duel.
In a coordinated statement shared via their official Twitter accounts, Evans, the rest of her team-mates said: “Following record attendances at recent women’s football matches, the SFA have only opened a fraction of the 50,000 plus capacity Hampden Park.
“How are we expected to grow the game when only limited tickets are available for our supporters?  Come on @ScotlandNT we can do better.”
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In response the Scottish FA says every seat at Hampden will be made available should they be required.
And the association responded to the tweeted posts from players.
A statement published on their website today said: “The ticketing sales process used at Hampden Park is identical to most across Scottish football, with tickets sold in blocks, in line with ongoing demand.
“This procedure is long-established for all events within our stadium.
Scotland are hoping to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World CupCredit: Kenneth Ramsay
“The Scottish FA was therefore surprised by the flurry of identical social media posts last night from members of the Scotland Women’s national team.
“Every seat in Hampden Park will be made available should the demand require it – and we urge football fans across the country to do their bit to support Pedro Martinez Losa and his team.
“The staff who will work tirelessly until kick-off to promote the match have been hugely disappointed by the post.
“We hope the Scotland Women’s National team can refocus and inspire the nation against Spain on Tuesday.”
Within the past three years, a growing number of fans have turned out to watch Scotland Women in action.
A record crowd of 18,555 attended their pre-2019 World Cup warm-up defeat of Jamaica at Hampden Park.  More

LEAH WILLIAMSON will captain the Lionesses at the Euros in July with the team looking to win the tournament on home soil.And Chelsea defender Millie Bright has been confirmed as England’s vice-skipper with Ellen White next in line.
Leah Williamson will captain England at the Women’s Euros this summerCredit: Alamy
The news comes seven months after Williamson, 25, was named England skipper in the absence of Steph Houghton.
The long-serving Manchester City ace has been out of international action since last September following an Achilles injury.
Before then Houghton, 33, has served as the Lionesses captain since she first donned armband back in January 2014.
And the WSL veteran led the team to the World Cup semi-finals in 2019 where they were defeated by eventual tournament winners USA.
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Williamson, who made her senior international debut in a World Cup qualifier win against Russia in 2017, said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for me and my family and I am honoured to be asked to lead us at the Euros.
“Steph Houghton is one of this country’s all-time greats and to follow in her footsteps – and all of those special names who have led the team in the past – means so much.
“Although I will be wearing the armband, I know we have a squad full of leaders who share my pride and passion in playing for our country.
“Whether I am captain or not, I will never take anything for granted and will always do my best for England every time I pull on the shirt.”
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Lionesses chief Sarina Wiegman, 52, added: “Leah has been a great leader for us and I know she will continue to set the example we need in her work on and off the pitch.
“She joins a proud list of England captains and will be following in the footsteps of the likes of the first captain Sheila Parker but also her predecessor Steph Houghton who have all been integral for the women’s game.
“While I know this is significant news for our fans, for me the most important thing is that we work hard in training and perform to the best we can in our matches as a team.
“The main thing is we are ready for our World Cup qualifiers and then the Euros this summer.”
Williamson, a lifelong Arsenal fan, has helped the club to a WSL title, and a league cup and FA Cup wins, since making her senior Gunners debut in 2014.
Chelsea centre-back Millie Bright has been named as England’s vice-captain at the EurosCredit: Getty
And the versatile central defender, who has 27 senior England caps, led her national side to Arnold Clark Cup trophy triumph following draws against Canada and Spain and a defeat of Germany.
The Lionesses, who are top of their World Cup qualifier group, face North Macedonia away on Friday before a clash with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday.
The team have gone unbeaten since Wiegman commenced her role as head coach last September. More

BETH ENGLAND and Niamh Charles are set to miss the Lionesses’ duel with North Macedeonia with both testing positive for Covid-19. The news comes after their Chelsea team-mate Maren Mjelde returned a positive coronavirus test result on arrival for international duty with Norway.
The FA hopes Beth England and Niamh Charles can join their Lionesses team-mates ahead of their game against Northern IrelandCredit: Getty
The FA say Charles, 22, and England, 27, were asymptomatic following pre-camp checks.
And an official statement says the Blues duo have not come into contact with their Lionesses team-mates at St George’s Park.
England and Charles have been in fine form for Chelsea in recent weeks.
The pair have helped the club to win six of their last games across all competitions with the WSL leaders conceding just one goal.
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And England, who missed the Arnold Clark Cup tournament due to injury, has been in ruthless form for the Blues alongside Sam Kerr.
The Kingsmeadow ace has netted six goals in the team’s last three games across all competitions.
These include braces against Reading in the league and against Birmingham in an FA Cup quarter-final duel.
On England’s form Chelsea chief Emma Hayes said on Sunday: Her work in this half of the season has been outstanding.
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“She had a blip with her injury but she has kept her head down.
“Beth has done a great job of playing her part but this half of the season.
“She’s improving and contributing on a much bigger level and I’m really proud of her approach.” 
Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has opted not call up any replacements for Charles and England before the team’s game against North Macedonia on Friday.
Charles and England both tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the Lionesses’ match against North MacedoniaCredit: Getty
The WSL aces were named in her 24-player squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Northern Ireland.
Wiegman’s ssistant coach Arjan Veurink was also confirmed to have returned a positive Covid-19 test result prior to joining up with England at their base in Burton-upon-Trent.
It is hoped the trio might be able to join the squad ahead of their clash with Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday 12 April. More