Rio Ferdinand hits out at BBC One coverage of England vs Spain Euro 2025 Final
Rio Ferdinand made it clear that he was less than impressed with the fact that Fara Williams was not part of the BBC's coverage of the Euro 2025 final between England and Spain.
Williams, 41, is a Lionesses icon and has been a constant presence throughout the BBC's coverage of the tournament. But she was not part of Sunday's line-up for the pre-game build-up, which led to Ferdinand questioning the decision.
The former Manchester United and England defender tweeted: "How's @fara_williams47 not on the @BBCSport coverage".
Williams is England's most capped player after representing her country a staggering 172 times during a stellar playing career.
And since hanging up her boots she has enjoyed a fine punditry career and is a regular on the BBC, who have covered the tournament alongside ITV this summer.
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BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Lionesses to hold victory parade after historic Euro 2025 win
The England women's football team will take part in an open-top bus parade in central London on Tuesday after their Euro 2025 victory over Spain.A procession along The Mall will begin at 12:10 before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham will be able to attend the event for free and the celebrations will be broadcast live across the BBC, ITV and Monday, the Lionesses were greeted by jubilant crowds as they landed back in the UK, before attending a reception at Downing Street hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. The ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial will be hosted by former England star Alex Secretary Lisa Nandy said the Lionesses' homecoming parade would be a chance for fans to "cheer these heroes home" after the team had "done our country proud".Hundreds of fans holding flags and dressed in England kits waited outside Southend Airport on Monday to catch a glimpse of the triumphant defended their European title with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory in the Euro 2025 final in Basel on Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, helping the squad become the first English team to win a major tournament on foreign home, more than 16 million people saw the match live on TV - the most-watched television moment of the year so far."The Lionesses have brought it home again," Rayner said during the No 10 event. "And what a fantastic feeling that is. Champions of Europe again."England manager Sarina Wiegman also gave a short speech - joking that being at Downing Street was "different from standing next to a pitch". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland on Monday meeting US President Donald Trump, held a video call with Wiegman and some of the England squad during the reception."It's lovely here," the England coach could be heard telling Sir Keir during the five-minute call, as she thanked him for supporting the team during the event came hours before ministers announced plans to double the amount of time women's and girls' football teams get allocated at government-funded sports government previously pledged to spend £900m on major UK sporting events and grassroots facilities - including £400m for new and upgraded sports facilities over the next four say a new taskforce will bring together leaders from across sport and academia with the aim of replicating the progress made in women's football in other on Monday, King Charles III paid tribute to the Lionesses, saying they had the Royal Family's "warmest appreciation and admiration". It is understood plans for a reception in the autumn at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle are being explored by about calls for the team to be recognised with honours, the prime minister's spokesman stressed there was an independent process for he added: "I hope we'll see lots of nominations for this incredible winning team."Downing Street dismissed calls for an extra bank holiday following the victory, with the spokesman saying: "If we had a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win we'd never go to work."Royal Mail has, however, announced plans to mark England's win with a special postmark, which will be applied to stamped mail across the UK from Monday to reads: "It's Home. Again. Champions of Europe 2025. England Women's Football Squad."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ciao! Lionesses party the night away at Soho's Little Italy ahead of their big victory parade in London after the red carpet was rolled out for them at No10 following their historic Euros 2025 win
Fresh from their triumphant return to home soil, England's heroic Lionesses showed no signs of slowing down last night – swapping football boots for dancing shoes as they descended on Soho for a night out. After an emotional whirlwind 48 hours of celebrations following their historic Euros 2025 victory, the squad poured out of their taxis and straight into Little Italy in central London. All of the squad seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and linking arms as they made their way into the lively late-night spot, sporting their third outfit change of the day. It came just hours after the team had been honoured with a special reception at No10 Downing Street, hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. It saw the whole street adorned in full patriotic splendour, complete with fluttering St George's flags and celebratory bunting. Looking radiant and relaxed, captain Leah Williamson led her squad through the gates of Downing Street, flanked by manager Sarina Wiegman, with the whole team having been glammed up for the occasion. Inside, Ms Rayner gave a heartfelt speech as the players were given canapes and drinks in the garden. Fresh from their triumphant return to home soil, England's heroic Lionesses showed no signs of slowing down last night It came just hours after the team had been honoured with a special reception at No10 Downing Street , hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner She told the team: 'You've made us all so so proud. Role models like you send such a powerful message, the Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women's football. Some of the team also took part in a surprise video call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was unable to attend in person due to talks with US President Donald Trump in Scotland. He said: 'Fantastic to see you all and welcome to Downing Street. I just wanted to say a huge huge congratulations to you and to the whole team. 'It was an absolutely amazing victory and you must've felt the eyes and ears of the whole country on you last night.' He added: 'You made history so many times over last night.' Wiegman thanked him for calling and for supporting the team throughout the tournament. Despite a whirlwind schedule and barely a moment's rest, the players are embracing every second of their victory lap – with a blockbuster open-top bus parade through The Mall set to kick off at 12.10pm today. That will end in a glitzy ceremony outside Buckingham Palace hosted by former England star Alex Scott. Todays celebrations are expected to echo the scenes of Trafalgar Square three years ago, though this year's road to glory has been widely hailed as even more nail-biting and unforgettable. Yesterday, the squad landed at Southend Airport to a rapturous welcome from adoring fans – greeted with chants of 'It's coming home' and flags waving as they descended from their private jet. Leading the way, Williamson beamed as she held the gleaming Euros trophy aloft, the team receiving a dramatic water cannon salute on the tarmac – a royal welcome for the queens of European football. It's been a non-stop celebration since the final whistle blew on their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Spain. Ella Toone sang karaoke as England manager Sarina Wiegman and captain Leah Williamson cut a celebratory cake together on Sunday night. With players still partying into the early hours of the morning, after Toone's partner Joe Bunney posted a picture at 4.10am. Celebrations began in earnest swiftly after their title defence was assured, with the Lionesses performing a musical number as they left the field. Led by captain Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, England's players belted out 2010 hit Dancing On My Own by Robyn as they exited down the tunnel. The team would later return to the field armed with several boxes of pizza and cans of beer. England managed to become European Championship winners again after a penalty shootout win against rivals Spain on Sunday night. The game was 1-1 after 90 minutes and remained tied through 30 minutes of extra time. Another nerve-shredding penalty shootout followed with Chloe Kelly yet again scoring the winning penalty sparking jubilant scene in the stadium in Basel and in millions of homes back in the UK. Fans can attend the victory parade today for free and it will also be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky.
South Wales Guardian
3 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Sarina Wiegman urges more investment in women's game at Downing Street reception
After successfully defending their European crown with a penalty shoot-out victory over Spain in the tournament's showpiece in Basel on Sunday evening, the England team flew home to attend a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. The team arrived just before 7pm, with Number 10 decorated for the occasion with St George's flags draped over windows and bunting along the railings. As Wiegman rose to speak to those gathered in the Downing Street garden she joked that 'this is different from standing next to a pitch'. She added: 'I have to make my apologies (for giving) you lots of heart attacks. You all made it through and we made it through and that's why we're here now. 'The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we're already legendary, what the team has done and the team behind the team. 'Thank you so much for having us here. It's very, very special to be here and to be in this very nice garden with the way you set it up with all these pictures, it makes it more special, it's the first moment it sinks in a little bit because it was surreal what happened last night.' Wiegman, speaking a few hours before the Government announced a new package of measures to boost access to grassroots football, used the moment to call for further investment in the game. 'This incredible team won the Euros and then straightaway sent a letter to you, the Government, asking for attention and asking for access to football for all girls,' Wiegman said. 'Steps have been taken but we're not done yet, we have to keep moving forward and we need a little bit more. 'I heard we need to change some things about taxes…I think we have that confirmation tonight. So let's move forward. 'We need some more investment. We're not there yet. In England we're up there but England needs to stay the trailblazer, it needs to be the big example. The players first but also the FA, the clubs, the Government, the country, the fans – let's keep being the trailblazers.' In her own speech, Rayner congratulated Wiegman's team on defending their title 'with grit, with determination and with skill'. 'You roared, and I know I wasn't the only one roaring with you,' Rayner said. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive penalty for England in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made two outstanding saves. The game had gone to extra time and spot-kicks after Alessia Russo cancelled out the opener from Arsenal team-mate Mariona Caldentey as it finished 1-1 following extra time. Welcome home, #Lionesses! 👋 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 28, 2025 After almost a month of competition in Switzerland, the team's plane branded with the word 'home' touched down at Southend Airport on Monday afternoon. In a post on X, the team shared a photo of the Euros trophy draped in an England flag on a seat on the plane. Holding the trophy, captain Leah Williamson was first to step off the plane alongside Wiegman. Outside the airport, crowds were lined up to welcome the team and the trophy back home. A homecoming open-top bus parade follows in central London on Tuesday, where there will be a procession along The Mall and the celebration will finish with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. A trip to the Palace or Windsor Castle may be on the cards for the winning squad as it is understood possible plans for a reception in the autumn are being explored by royal aides. Defender Jess Carter has not joined her team-mates for the celebrations in London as she has returned to the United States ahead of Gotham FC's NWSL match against the Chicago Stars on Saturday.
