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☆ Want to Play in Asia’s Champions League? It Will Cost You.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

At least nobody can accuse Asia’s soccer authorities of failing to sweat the small stuff. can still find the time to dictate precisely which water bottles, with which labels, fans should be allowed to carry into stadiums. That kind of attention to detail should reassure you that soccer’s future — from Beirut to Beijing, and Ulaanbaatar to Hobart — is in safe hands. Unfortunately, that is not quite the picture that emerges from a report, commissioned by soccer’s global players’ union, FIFPro, assessing the benefits and shortcomings of Asia’s most prestigious club competition, the Asian Champions League. Instead, the report documents a tournament that acts as an almost perfect microcosm of soccer’s general direction across the globe.

Persons: Hobart — Organizations: Asian Football Confederation, ’, Asian Champions League Locations: —, Beirut, Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, Hobart

☆ Christiane Endler: Chile’s football federation criticized for handling of star player’s 100th appearance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The Chilean football federation (ANFP) has been criticized for its handling of a star player’s 100th appearance for the women’s national team. On Tuesday, Endler, the team’s captain and goalkeeper, made history by becoming the first player to reach 100 caps for the Chile women’s national team in a 2-1 victory over New Zealand. One more for you guys,” Chile national team player Daniela Pardo replied to the graphic on Instagram. Endler captained Chile at its first ever Women's World Cup in 2019. That she has been able to achieve so much is remarkable, coming from a country whose federation has sometimes overlooked its women’s national team.

Persons: Christiane Endler, Endler, “, Edgar Merino, Pablo Milad, ” Milad, Justin Tallis, Tiane, Daniela Pardo, Claudio Bravo, Endler hasn’t, Michael Chow, ” Endler, Germain, Harold Cunningham, FIFPro, Gabriel Boric, ” Camila Garcia, ” Organizations: CNN, Chilean, women’s, Chile women’s, New, New Zealand, Lyon, Women's Champions League, Getty, Chile’s Sports Commission, La Tercera, Chile national, Chile men’s, South, Estadio Nacional, Argentina, Santiago’s, USA, Network, Reuters, ADN, FIFA, Paris Saint, Champions League, America Femenina, Ministry, Labour Locations: Chile, New Zealand, France, La, South American, Santiago’s La Florida, La Florida, Paris, Lyon, Chilean, Haiti

☆ Swedes find solace in solidarity despite loss to Spain
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Philip O'Connor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"It's not just their fight, it's the whole world's fight, so we wanted to show that we stand behind them," Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani told Reuters. Now at Italian side AC Milan, Asllani spent three years at Real Madrid and she embraced former team mate Teresa Abelleira after the final whistle. "I have a lot of good friends in the team and we discussed what they're going through. What we said will stay between us, but they were grateful for our support and that we stand behind them. The Spanish team's long-simmering row with the country's association reached boiling point when former Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales planted a kiss on the lips of player Jennie Hermoso after they won the World Cup final in August.

Persons: It's, Kosovare Asllani, Asllani, Teresa Abelleira, Luis Rubiales, Jennie Hermoso, Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Magda Eriksson, Eriksson, Magda, Philip O'Connor Organizations: night's Nations League, Nations League, Olympic, Reuters, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Spanish, Thomson Locations: GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Swedish, Spain, Gothenburg

“We wish to end this statement expressing that the players of the Spanish women’s national team are professional players, and what most fills us with pride is putting on the shirt of the national team and always taking our country to the highest places. World players’ union FIFPRO posted on X in support of the players’ decision saying, “FIFPRO fully supports the Spain Women’s National Team in their united call for change. The identical letters said that “the situation” within the Spanish national team – about which RFEF was “aware” – had been affecting the players’ “emotional state” and health. Of the 15 players who signed the letters, only three were in Spain’s World Cup squad: Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmatí and Ona Batlle. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the Spanish players produced an impressive performance Down Under.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, Rubiales, RFEF, d’Or Féminin, Alexia Putellas, “, FIFPRO, Pau Gasol, –, Hermoso, Pedro Rocha, Jorge Vilda, Montse Tomé, Rocha, Víctor, Tomé, Thomas Coex, ” –, Mariona, Aitana, Ona Batlle, Amanda Perobelli, Spain’s Organizations: CNN, Women’s Nations League, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish women’s, “, Spain Women’s National Team, High Council of Sport, Sweden, Getty, Spanish, Reuters, Vilda Locations: Spanish, Spain, “, RFEF, Switzerland, Madrid, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Sweden, women’s

☆ Bellingham workload is only cloud on his horizon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Bellingham is only 20 and already has very high-mileage at the top end of the game. Barring injuries Bellingham will face a huge workload this season and world players union FIFPRO has warned that he could be vulnerable to burnout if not managed properly. Only Rooney came anywhere close to Bellingham's total with 10,989 minutes while Lampard's total was 3,477 and David Beckham had not even managed 1,000 senior minutes before turning 20. "It is important for clubs and national teams to take a balanced approach when it comes to managing young players' workloads." Southgate will hope that Bellingham is given sufficient time to re-charge between now and the start of Euro 2024.

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, Gareth Southgate, Blancos, Bellingham, FIFPRO, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Rooney, David Beckham, Southgate, I'm, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: Real Madrid, Liga, Scotland, Birmingham City, Borussia Dortmund, Southgate, Thomson Locations: England, Bellingham

☆ Luis Rubiales: As under-fire soccer chief stands firm, women's soccer in Spain may be preparing for new beginnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Aimee Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Spain won the Women’s World Cup for the first time last month yet, just two weeks on, no one is talking about the success. In that intoxicating, finite pocket of time, Spain’s players had the freedom to lose themselves in the victory of their lives. The decades-long battle for equality in women’s soccer, and society, has a way to go but nothing changes in silence. But beyond the headlines, this is a story which symbolizes the problems within women’s soccer and society, of women not being respected or listened to. England women’s head coach Sarina Wiegman dedicated her UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award to the Spanish national team.

Persons: wasn’t, “, ”, Luis Rubiales ’, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso’s, Hermoso, Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s, ’, there’s, Ballon d’Or, Alexia Putellas, Maddie Meyer, –, Aitana Bonmatí, hasn’t, Jorge Vilda, England, Sarina Wiegman, ” Wiegman, Putellas Organizations: CNN, Spain, country’s, United, Human, Spain soccer, England, FIFA, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Spanish, soccer, TUDN, UEFA, Liga, “, Spanish national Locations: Spanish, Spain, Sydney, Eurasia, Rubiales

☆ UEFA will not follow 'absurd' added time rules, says official
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The aim is to increase the time the ball is in play, with games now routinely going beyond 100 minutes in total. Manchester city midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane and global players' union FIFPRO have criticised the new approach, saying it will increase player workload in an already packed schedule. "It's absolutely absurd," former AC Milan and Croatia midfielder Boban told reporters in Monaco. "Regarding player welfare, it's some kind of small tragedy or big tragedy because we are adding almost 12, 13, 14 minutes. "We tell our referees to speed up the restart of play instead of focusing on stoppage time."

Persons: Zvonimir Boban, Kevin De Bruyne, Raphael Varane, FIFPRO, Boban, Roberto Rosetti, Rosetti, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: UEFA, body's, Manchester United, Milan, Croatia, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Monaco, Hyderabad

☆ Who is Luis Rubiales and why did he kiss Jenni Hermoso?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Joshua Berlinger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The scandal began just moments after La Roja’s historic 1-0 victory against England, when the head of the Spanish football federation, Luis Rubiales, kissed midfielder Jennifer Hermoso on the lips. Fast forward seven days and Spain’s World Cup winners are refusing to play. After showing one of the Spanish players kissing the Women’s World Cup Trophy, the broadcast cut to Rubiales hugging Hermoso. Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ImagesWhat Rubiales and Hermoso are sayingHermoso said at no point did she consent to the kiss. Spanish players’ union FUTPRO called for Rubiales to be punished after the kiss, while global players’ union FIFPRO called for “immediate disciplinary action” following Rubiales’ Friday speech.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jennifer Hermoso, “, Gianni Infantino, Letizia, Sofia, Rubiales, royal’s, Anthony Albanese, James, Hermoso, ”, ” Rubiales, FUTPRO, FIFPRO, Rafael del Amo, Jenni, Jenni Hermoso, Christian Chavez, Jorge Vilda –, Borja Iglesia, Iker Casillas, Andres Iniesta, Luis de la Fuente, Fran Santiago, Pedro Sanchez, Yolanda Diaz Organizations: CNN, England, Spanish, FIFA, Australian, British, Spain’s High, of Sport, Rubiales, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Pachuca women's, “, Atletico Madrid players, Sevilla, Getty Locations: Spanish, Spain, Eurasia, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Madrid, Seville

☆ Spanish soccer president refuses to resign despite kissing a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Facing his possible removal from office, the president of the Spanish soccer federation refused to resign Friday despite an uproar for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women's World Cup final. The president of Spain's women's league, Beatriz Álvarez, told Spanish state broadcaster RTVE that she was not surprised because Rubiales' "ego is above his dignity." The only relevant institution to remain silent has been European soccer body UEFA, for which Rubiales is a vice president. Rubiales, who led the Spanish players' union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the UEFA-backed bid to host the men's World Cup in 2030. "The speech by Mr. Rubiales before the general assembly of the Spanish soccer federation is absolutely incompatible with representing Spanish sports and with the values of an advanced society like Spain's," Spain's Higher Council for Sports said.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jorge Vilda, Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Luis de la, Hermoso, Relevo.com, Alexia Putellas, Ballon, Yolanda Díaz, Díaz, Spain's, Beatriz Álvarez, Álvarez, Pedro Sánchez, Queen Letizia, Sofía, Iker Casillas, Borja Iglesias Organizations: Spanish Royal Football Federation, Spain women's, football team's, La, —, Spanish, Spain, England, men's, Luis de la Fuente, Associated Press, RTVE, UEFA, FIFA, Higher, of Sports, Court, Sports, Council, Rubiales, Real Betis, Spain's Locations: Spain, Madrid, BARCELONA, Spanish, Sydney, Australia, Barcelona, Portugal, Morocco, Ukraine, Spain's, Netherlands, Vilda

☆ FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA president over Jenni Hermoso kiss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA who kissed Jenni Hermoso after the country's Women's World Cup victory on Sunday. In a statement, FIFA reiterated "its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behaviour to the contrary." Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), kissed the forward on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team's 1-0 win against England in Sydney. Hermoso initially said on social media she "didn't like" the kiss but a statement on her behalf was later released by the RFEF in which she described it as "spontaneous". FIFPRO later came out in support of Hermoso and requested FIFA open an investigation into Rubiales.

Persons: Luis Rubiales, Jenni Hermoso, Hermoso, Rubiales, Pedro Sanchez, FIFPRO Organizations: FIFA, Spanish FA, Royal Spanish Football Federation, England, Spain national Locations: Sydney

☆ Gianni Infantino: Fifa president says women should 'pick the right battles' to 'convince us, men, what we have to do' in fight for equality
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —FIFA President Gianni Infantino says women should “pick the right battles” to “convince us, men, what we have to do” over equality issues in soccer. Speaking at a media conference ahead of Sunday’s Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain, Infantino also addressed the funding disparity between men and women at their respective World Cup tournaments. Infantino described equal pay in the Women’s World Cup as a “slogan that comes up every now and then.”“Equal pay in the World Cup – we are going in that direction already,” added Infantino. Infantino defended FIFA’s investment in women’s football, highlighting the expanded 32-team edition of the 2023 Women’s World Cup as a benchmark for its success in growing the game. The FIFA president also called the 2023 Women’s World Cup “simply the best and greatest and biggest Women’s World Cup ever” – said that this tournament has allowed FIFA to break even such has been the revenue opportunity.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, ”, Infantino, “, let’s, Crystal Dunn, Tim Nwachukwu, ” – Organizations: CNN, FIFA, Soccer, Women’s, United States Soccer Federation, USSF, United States Women’s, Team Players, United States National Soccer Team Players, teams, Getty, Federation, CONCACAF, Africa, of Nations Locations: England, Spain, United, Washington , DC

☆ FIFPRO assisting Nigeria women's team in pay dispute with federation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nigeria reached the knockout stages at the World Cup where they were eventually eliminated by England on penalties after a 0-0 draw in their last-16 match on Monday. "FIFPRO can confirm it is assisting players in a disagreement with the Nigeria Football Federation concerning bonus payments, camp allowances and expenses, some of which date back to 2021," it said in a statement. "During the World Cup, the players expressed the desire to remain focused on their performance without making public statements or facing other distractions. "However, the Super Falcons believe that it is now time for the Nigeria Football Federation to honour their commitments and pay the outstanding amounts." "The team is extremely frustrated that they have had to pursue the Nigeria Football Federation for these payments before and during the tournament and may have to continue doing so afterwards," FIFPRO added.

Persons: Dan Peled, Randy Waldrum, Waldrum, FIFPRO, Ifeoma Onumonu, Rohith Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane Football, Nigerian, England, Nigeria Football Federation, Super Falcons, Reuters, Africa, Nations, Guardian, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, England, Nigeria, Brisbane, Australia, Bengaluru

☆ Underdogs serve notice that the gap is closing at Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-25 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

At the 2019 World Cup in France, the United States thoroughly demolished Thailand 13-0. "Going into this World Cup the game has just grown and a lot of federations have grown as well," said U.S. defender Naomi Girma. Only 40% identified themselves as a professional footballer, although all will receive $30,000 direct from FIFA for playing in the World Cup. "We know we are not going to have any easy game in the World Cup," she said. They made the World Cup."

Persons: Deneisha Blackwood, Carl Recine SYDNEY, Alen Stajcic, We've, Mary Earps, Lorne Donaldson, Chantelle Swaby, Allyson, FIFPRO, Naomi Girma, Jitka Klimkova, Lori Ewing, Amy Tennery, Nick Mulvenney, Michael Perry Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Sydney Football Stadium, REUTERS, Morocco, Monday, Vietnam, England, Debutants, Zealand, Norway, New, World, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, France, Jamaica, Sydney, Australia, Haiti, Ireland, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Philippines, Switzerland, United States, Thailand, Debutants Ireland, Argentina, Ghana, U.S, England, Vietnam, Czech

☆ What are the Women’s World Cup armbands and why were they created?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

What are the eight Women’s World Cup armbands? The eight different armbands each carry a “specific message” according to FIFA, falling under the governing body’s “Football Unites the World” campaign and in partnership with various United Nations’ agencies and the World Health Organization (WHO). During last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar, a number of European captains withdrew from wearing an armband adorned with a heart striped in different colors as part of the “OneLove” campaign. England captain Millie Bright said she planned to wear three different armbands for each of her team’s group stage matches. “Nothing stopping Ali Riley from showing PRIDE at the World Cup this summer,” the website Women’s Sport Exchange tweeted.

Persons: Ali Riley, Steph Catley –, Sam Kerr, –, Qatar Bruno Fahy, Gianni Infantino, Millie Bright, ” Bright, ” Sarah Gregorius, “ You’ve, ’ ” Gregorius, Zealander Riley’s, Riley, Amanda Davies, ”, “, ” Ali Riley, Saeed Khan, Jennifer Garner, Angel City’s Organizations: CNN, New Zealand, Football Ferns, Inclusion, Australia, Indigenous Peoples, Ireland, FIFA, body’s “ Football, United Nations, World Health Organization, WHO, UN Human, Equality, UN, Peace –, UNHCR, UN Refugee Agency, Education, –, Cultural Organization, UNESCO, UN Women, Qatar, Getty, Football, “ Football, Reuters, “, FIFPRO, Zealander, Norway, Angel City FC, PRIDE, Exchange Locations: Norway, Sydney, Qatar, England, Netherlands, Germany, Eden, Auckland, AFP

☆ Viral women’s soccer ad uses doctored footage to prove a point
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jennifer Korn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —One French company is using visual effects editing to promote the Women’s World Cup, putting out a now-viral video showing the French men’s soccer team playing at their best — until it is revealed that the footage is actually of the French women’s team. What first looks like Griezmann evading a defender dribbling down the field is actually a graphic overlay of Sakina Karchaoui, a professional player on the French women’s national team. The second half of the ad shows the original footage — with France’s top female soccer players owning the field. The ad was posted in June, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place across Australia and New Zealand. Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found.

Persons: Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, Sakina, Marcel, ’, Gianni Infantino, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, Orange, ”, “, Craig Foster Organizations: New, New York CNN, French, Orange, French women’s, French women's, “, women’s, FIFA, CNN, Soccer, FIFPRO, Women’s Soccer Australia, CNN Sport, Football, Sport Locations: New York, Orange, Australia, New Zealand, Australian

CNN —Soccer players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will on average earn just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year, a new CNN analysis found. In addition to prize money, FIFA committed to paying $42 million to the federations and players’ clubs for Women’s World Cup preparations. Havana Solaun (R) and Jamaica are appearing at their second ever Women's World Cup. But for the players, equal pay encompasses more than simply closing this gap to the salaries enjoyed by male footballers. June 2023 A record $110 million prize pot negotiated for the Women’s World Cup, at least $30,000 guaranteed for every player.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, Sam Kerr, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Bob Marley’s, Cedella, Havana Solaun, Brendon Thorne, hadn’t, Jamaica’s Chinyelu Asher, ”, ” Asher, Asher, Saeed Khan, Morgan, Rapinoe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Brad Smith, ” Jonas Baer, Hoffmann, FIFPRO’s, It’s, that’s, –, Infantino, Baer, “, ringfenced, Ali Riley, CNN’s Amanda Davies, Riley, “ It’s, ” Ali Riley, Catherine Ivill, Women’s Soccer Australia Heather Reid, ” Riley, England’s Lionesses, ” FIFPRO’s Baer, – Carli Lloyd, Hope, Becky Sauerbrunn –, ” Lloyd, — Jan, USWNT, Lloyd, ” Reid, ’ Organizations: CNN — Soccer, CNN, FIFA, New Zealand, Women’s, US, National, Australia, Havana, Getty, Jamaica Football Federation, ’, CNN Sport, Forbes, USSF, CONCACAF, Africa, of Nations, Olympic, –, Canada Soccer, teams, Women’s Soccer Australia, English Football Association, French Football Federation, Royal Belgium Football Association, FIFA’s, US Soccer, States Women’s National, Football Federation, USWNT, Soccer, Court, Central, Central District of, The New York Times, LA Times, Guardian, Reuters, “ Locations: Australia, New, New Zealand, Jamaica, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Havana, AFP, France, Infantino, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, United States, Qatar, country’s, Sweden, Spanish, England, Central District, Central District of California, Canadian, El, China

☆ 2023 Women’s World Cup: Four ways the tournament is breaking new ground
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Co-hostsThis year will be the first time the Women’s World Cup will be hosted by two federations, New Zealand and Australia. But this year’s event will mirror the format used in the men’s World Cup for the first time. New Zealand's Eden Park will host the opening game of the Women's World Cup. “The future is women – and thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino told reporters last month. Zambia is one of the teams making its debut at the Women's World Cup this year.

Persons: Eden, don’t, Brett Phibbs, “, –, Gianni Infantino, Lionesses, Michael Bradley, Melchie Dumornay, Nicolas Delepine, there’s, ” Infantino, ”, David Aganzo Organizations: CNN, Sydney’s, United States Women’s National, Reuters, FIFA, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Africa, Nations, Qatar, Getty, Olympique Lyonnais –, ” Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Zealand, Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Dunedin, Norway, China, Eden, Canada, Republic of, Haiti, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Vietnam, Zambia, Japan, Costa Rica, Moroccan, South Africa, Europe, ” Haiti, Thailand, –

There have been 195 ACL injuries across women soccer’s top leagues, according to the ACL Women Football Club. “It’s not a coincidence I think that you get Leah and Beth injured after the Euros last summer,” said Arsenal star Miedema. Miedema believes this was an issue that world soccer’s governing body FIFA must address. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found women to be three to six times more likely to experience an ACL injury than men. European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, referenced to CNN the Women’s Health Expert Panel it established, which has a “high priority” researching ACL injuries.

Persons: Vivianne, –, Miedema, we’ve, It’s, ” Miedema, CNN’s Christina Macfarlane, – Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Laura Wienroither, Canada’s Janine Beckie, Catarina Macario, France’s Delphine Cascarino, Ryan Pierse, ”, Pep, “, “ You’ll, Williamson –, “ It’s, Leah, Beth, “ They’ve, they’re, Leah Williamson, Clive Rose, Jonas Eidevall, Miedema’s Organizations: CNN, Arsenal, Women Football Club, United States Women’s National, League, English Premier League, FA, Champions League, England, ”, FIFA, of Sports Medicine, UEFA, Women’s, English Football Association, Super League, Barclays Women’s, Nottingham Trent University Locations: Netherlands, Man, Switzerland

☆ United States chase more glory at expanded Women's World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

MELBOURNE, July 18 (Reuters) - Bigger, bolder and breaking new ground, the Women's World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday with the United States bidding to extend their golden era by winning an unprecedented third straight title. Four years on from dominating in France, the top-ranked Americans remain favourites to secure a record-extending fifth World Cup triumph with a new generation of players. However, the landscape has changed irrevocably through the World Cup cycle, with money, talent and professionalism shifting to the sport's traditional European heartlands. Olympic champions Canada, who upset the U.S. in the Tokyo Games semi-finals, also cannot be discounted as they look to give 40-year-old Christine Sinclair a first title at her sixth World Cup. Other players say the money is not nearly enough, given the $440 million prize pool for the men's World Cup.

Persons: Sam Kerr, Christine Sinclair, Prizemoney, mums, Megan Rapinoe, Alexia Putellas, Ghizlane Chebbak, Ian Ransom, Peter Rutherford Organizations: MELBOURNE, United, U.S, New Zealand, Norway, Sydney's, Ireland, Sydney, England, Olympic, Canada, Tokyo Games, FIFPRO, FIFA, France, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, United States, China, New, Eden, France, Germany, Sweden, Rich, Morocco, Melbourne

☆ While women's soccer boasts fierce LGBT advocates, FIFA reviews transgender rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Critics of transgender inclusion in women's sport say going through male puberty imbues athletes with a huge physical advantage that transition does not mitigate. The U.S. women's team, including Rapinoe, famously lost 5-2 to an under-15 FC Dallas boys team in an informal training match in 2017. In much of the world, trans people are just lucky to stay alive. LGBT advocates say the debate over transgender inclusion in women's sport has also made for an increasingly hostile environment for gender diverse people in North America. According to LGBT website Outsports, a record of at least 87 out players will compete at the World Cup, more than double the 38 who played in the 2019 version.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Martina Navratilova, Rapinoe, Navratilova, Sue Bird, Joanna Harper, Nilla Fischer, Barbra Banda, Quinn, Sarah Gregorius, FIFPRO, You've, Lori Ewing, Nick Mulvenney, Michael Perry Organizations: Athletics, Aquatics, FIFA, trailblazer, WNBA, FC Dallas boys, Reuters, Equatorial, Zambia, Nations, Canada, Toronto Star, England, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Australia, New Zealand, U.S, Canadian, Equatorial Guinea, North America, Tokyo

☆ World Cup women's soccer players 'at risk' from poor pitches
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

June 20 (Reuters) - Women representing their nations to qualify for the soccer World Cup are risking their safety on poor quality pitches, and many are playing for no pay, according to a poll released on Tuesday by the global body that represents players. Nearly 30% of international women soccer players polled for the FIFPRO report said that they have been playing for nothing, while two-thirds said they had to take unpaid leave from their jobs to represent their country in confederation championships. "FIFPRO firmly calls on the industry to take a closer look at the qualification processes in each of the six Confederations." FIFPRO also called for all six confederations to hold separate qualifying matches for the Women's World Cup. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Peter Graff Editing by Peter GraffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: FIFPRO, Mallory Swanson, Janine Beckie, Leah Williamson, Amy Tennery, Peter Graff Organizations: Confederations, UEFA, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, England, New York

☆ World Cup: Software using AI finds almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were sent during Qatar 2022
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Monitoring software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) found almost 20,000 abusive social media posts were aimed at players, officials and coaches during the Qatar World Cup, according to a new report released by FIFA. In total, 20 million posts and comments were analyzed across all major social media platforms, successfully verifying the identity of 306 account owners that sent abusive messages. In total, 434,000 posts were flagged by AI and reviewed by humans, the report said, with the abusive messages coming from 12,600 different accounts. It hurts our families.”Of the abusive messages, 38% came from Europe, 36% from South America, 10% from Asia, 8% from Africa and 8% from North and Central America. When grouped together by country – all players, teams and official member association social media handles – France received the most abuse, with England in second and Brazil third.

Persons: –, FIFPro –, “, Mark, Anthony Kaye, It’s, Harry Kane, Kellyn Acosta Organizations: CNN, Monitoring, Qatar, FIFA, Canada Men’s National Team, England, France, Men’s National Locations: Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, North, Central America, France, Brazil, England

☆ Players at Women's World Cup guaranteed at least $30,000 each in FIFA first
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK, June 7 (Reuters) - Each player at the Women's World Cup will be guaranteed at least $30,000 after a ground-breaking move by FIFA to disburse some of the prize money to individuals rather than national federations. All 23 members of the winning team will take home $270,000, part of a $110 million total prize pool that is roughly 300% higher than what FIFA offered for the 2019 tournament. The $30,000 minimum directed prize money is more than twice the average salary of $14,000 for paid players surveyed in FIFA's 2022 benchmarking report. For the upcoming Women's World Cup, member associations will also receive increased funding based on performance, with winners taking $4.29 million home and delegations earning $1.56 million for participating in the group stage. The total performance-based prize funds still significantly trail what was the on the offer at the men's tournament last year, where $440 million total prize fund was awarded.

Persons: Gianni Infantino, FIFPRO, Amy Tennery, Lori Ewing, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: YORK, FIFA, FIFA Congress, Thomson Locations: Australia, New Zealand, New York

☆ Leah Williamson: England captain to miss Women's World Cup after suffering knee injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Matt Foster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —England captain Leah Williamson is to miss this year’s Women’s World Cup after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing for her club Arsenal, the defender announced Friday via Instagram. Williamson suffered the injury during the first half of the team’s game against Manchester United on Wednesday, according to the club’s statement. The noise around the situation is loud and I need some quiet to let it all sink in,” Williamson wrote. “I think it’s way too common in the women’s game. The 2023 Women’s World Cup runs from July 20 through to August 20 and will be held in Australia and New Zealand.

☆ Global Players’ Union Calls for Equal Conditions and Prize Money at Women’s World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Rachel Bachman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Players from 25 national women’s soccer teams, backed by a global professional players’ union, are calling for equal conditions and prize money at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Fifpro, an umbrella organization that represents 65,000 men’s and women’s soccer players and their unions worldwide, sent a letter last October to FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlining the players’ proposals. The letter, viewed by The Wall Street Journal, comes to light four months ahead of the Women’s World Cup that kicks off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

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