Chloe Kelly received explanation for MBE snub as Lioness now set to be rewarded
England star Chloe Kelly could be set to receive an MBE after being controversially overlooked for the honour in 2023. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that "recognition is coming" for certain members of the Euro 2025-winning Lionesses squad.
Following their triumph three years earlier, Sarina Wiegman 's team successfully retained their European title in Switzerland. The Lionesses overturned a deficit to beat World Cup nemeses Spain on spot-kicks and claim the trophy for the second consecutive tournament.
Kelly once more proved England's saviour as she slotted home the crucial penalty in Basel. The celebrations echoed those from Euro 2022, when her extra-time strike secured victory against Germany in the final.
Despite this, the 27-year-old was excluded from the 2023 New Year's Honours list whilst team-mates Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead were awarded MBEs. Record goalscorer Ellen White received the same recognition, while skipper Leah Williamson was made an OBE.
Kelly and her fellow Lionesses were snubbed in 2023 after the honours committee said it did not wish to recognise "the entire squad." As for its reasoning, the committee explained its logic was due to the fact that the tournament was a European championship and not a World Cup.
"We tried to stick to the principles of the honour system, which is to recognise excellence and to recognise extraordinary contributions," said Sir Hugh Robertson, chairman of the sports honours committee, at the time.
"That's particularly the case with [the] selection of players who set the country alight. So we wanted to recognise and capture that, but to do it in a way that picked out the outstanding performances we saw throughout the tournament.
"I think also in the back of my mind was the fact it was a European competition and not a world one. They have a world championship next summer."
However, Kelly and fellow Euro 2025 hero Hannah Hampton could be in line for recognition in the upcoming New Year's Honours. Manager Wiegman might also receive an award of her own, with rumours she could be named an honorary Dame.
"What Sarina and our Lionesses have achieved is nothing short of remarkable," Starmer told the Sun on Sunday (via the Daily Express). "So recognition is coming - and it will be worthy of their historic success."
The Lionesses made history as the first English football team to win a major international honour since 1966 when they secured the European title three years ago. However, Wiegman's accomplishment in retaining the title this summer is an even more significant achievement.
To begin with, England didn't enjoy home-field advantage this time around. Moreover, they triumphed over a Spain side that has been a dominant force in international football in recent years, having beaten England to the World Cup title in 2023.
It's almost poetic that after being overlooked for an MBE when England's heroes were last recognised, Kelly returned to play a pivotal part in the Euro 2025 final. The Arsenal attacker also came off the bench to net a 119th-minute comeback winner against Italy in the semi-finals.
Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton proved equally vital throughout the tournament and produced two legendary stops during the penalty shootout triumph over Spain. She earned Player of the Match honours for her display in the decider, with Wiegman effusive in her praise of the new No. 1.
"You really have to step up and show it and so did she," she said of her goalkeeper's heroics in Switzerland. "I think she's done amazing. It's a very bit like a fairy tale to stop those penalties in the final of the Euros and to win it."
Hampton's contribution proved even more remarkable considering she had enormous shoes to fill following Mary Earps' retirement. Nevertheless, she has slotted effortlessly into the position and played a vital role in her nation retaining the European title.
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