Women's Football Newsletter: Arsenal captain: Women’s game must bridge professional divide

Arsenal captain Kim Little has said that marketing resources focussed on growing the women’s game must be matched by investment in playing and training infrastructure if growth is to be sustainable.

Speaking on the eve of the new season to Sky Sports, the 32-year-old – who has experienced both sides of the professional era – also said that attention on the international side of the game hadn’t been reflected in club football yet.

“I've played in the women's game for a long time and I've seen a lot of national teams be incredibly successful like England have this summer - and it's not had an impact on the domestic game,” she said. “The Euros can be a turning point but it has to be done with real intent."

Fan's don't see it

“To a lot of people, improvement is an increase in attendances and sponsors. Those things are key and the interest is there for that. But as a player it's to do with standards within clubs across the board in improving resources, high-performance facilities and staffing which can drive what we are on the pitch and what we can provide.

“Recovery and travel methods too - as a fan you don't see that, but it's not a place it should be yet. To grow the game, for it to be the best league in the world and to make the game more sustainable - that's another huge part for me that's gone unsaid - there needs to be investment in that alongside the marketing and attendances.”

 

“World record fee” for City’s Keira Walsh

Manchester City midfielder Keira Walsh has joined Barcelona for an undisclosed fee that is reported to be in excess of the £300,000 Chelsea paid Wolfsburg for Pernille Harder two years ago.

25-year-old Walsh is City’s joint record appearance holder, playing 211 times and lifting eight trophies during her time in Manchester. She was a key part of England’s successful Euro 2022 campaign, earning Player of the Match in the final against Germany.

Walsh adds to an already formidable Barca midfield, which includes Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, and Spanish international Aitana Bonamti. Barca won the Women’s Champions League in 2021 and lost this year’s final to Lyon, having lifted a domestic treble.

 

Arsenal set to beat WSL attendance record

Arsenal are set to smash the Women’s Super League attendance record after already selling 38,500 tickets for Arsenal Women's clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Saturday 24 September.

The previous record of 38,262 was set in 2019 during another north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“It’s been incredible to see the demand for tickets for the North London Derby,” Arsenal’s Head Coach Jonas Eidevall told the club’s official website.

“You can really feel the excitement around the game at the moment so it’s amazing to see that translate into a record-breaking attendance – now it’s our job to repay that enthusiasm with a big performance in this crucial clash for our supporters.”

Switched on to the women's game

Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham told the PA news agency:

“Our supporters have really tapped into the excitement and momentum created during the summer and we are delighted with the phenomenal demand for tickets for this match”

“We know a whole new group of supporters has been switched on to the women's game which has been a such a big part of our club for more than 30 years.

“This is the first of at least six matches our women's first team will play at Emirates Stadium this season and with a record Women's Super League crowd in attendance, this north London derby promises to be a memorable occasion.”

The match will also be broadcast live on the BBC.

 

Report: Manager blocked from USWNT job following sexual harassment scandal

An investigation by ESPN has made serious allegations about coach Paul Riley – currently suspended from the game after misconduct allegations pending the outcome of an investigation – who they say was subject to efforts to “dissuade” him from applying for the USWNT job in 2019.

According to the report, Merritt Paulson, owner of Portland Thorns, who Riley managed until 2015, told Riley's boss at the time, North Carolina Courage owner Steve Malik, that it was “a good idea” for Riley to withdraw from consideration for the national team job to keep the manner of Riley’s firing from becoming public.

Riley was fired by the Thorns in 2015, following a complaint by then-Thorns player Mana Shim accusing him of sexual harassment and coercion although this wasn’t known in 2019. Riley publicly withdrew his name from consideration for the USWNT job in August 2019.

ESPN allege that there were multiple efforts to ensure Riley wasn’t hired for the job, including players warning the USSF not to hire him.

License suspended

After players went public with lurid allegations about Riley in Autumn 2021 the coach had his coaching license suspended by the USSF, he was suspended by Courage and an investigation was also launched.

At the time Malik said that he was unaware of the reasons for Riley’s dismissal from Thorns, but it is alleged that the 2019 conversation between Paulson and Malik undermines that claim. ESPN allege that “up until the players went public with their allegations, the game's gatekeepers took steps to shield Riley and themselves from scrutiny.”

ESPN say they sourced their story on an update given by law firm DLA Piper of their investigation to Portland Thorns employees. Thorns and Courage issued statements saying that they would not comment until the investigation had been completed.

 

Former Lionesses star to lead review into domestic game

Former England international Karen Carney will lead the British government’s review into the future of domestic women’s football.

Outgoing Culture secretary Nadine Dorries appointed the former England and Great Britain international Carney last week to chair the review.

According to a statement from the DCMS the review will focus on “Assessing the potential audience reach and growth of the game, “examining the financial health of the game and its financial sustainability for the long term” and “Examining the structures within women’s football.”

“The Lionesses’ spectacular performance shows how far we have come at the top of the women’s game. While it is right that we celebrate and reflect on that success, we need an equal emphasis on improving participation, employment opportunities, commercial investment and visibility in the media,” said Dorries.

“We want to make sure everyone can enjoy the benefits of team sport and there is a robust infrastructure to sustain women’s and girls’ football for the future. A thorough review of the game will help ensure it is here for the long term.”

"Capitalise on these powerful moments"

Carney said that the women’s game was in a “defining period” and the government review “will be at the heart of that.”

“We must capitalise on these powerful moments and can look back on 2022 as a year where we made great strides forward in the growth of the game,” she added.

The former player also used a passionate op-ed in the Guardian to call on all stakeholders to contribute to the review.

“It is important to make this review count, for it to stand and mean something in order to make maximum impact,” she wrote. “So if you are reading this and you want the women’s game to get better, then you are part of this movement too.”