Jill Scott MBE On Racism, Progress, And The Future Of Women's Football
Today, England has made the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 finals, and tonight I'll be fueled with anxiety not only with the hopes of winning but the dread of what will happen to our Black players if we lose.
During this tournament, Jess Carter withdrew from social media after facing online abuse related to her skin colour. A few years earlier, Black players on the men's team endured harsh criticism for losing the tournament. This prompts the question: Why do I support a country that doesn't support me?
Change doesn't happen overnight, and comparing 2025 to 2005, it's very clear to see the leaps we've made in diversity and inclusion, especially in women's football. A lot of the help has come from dedicated fans, as well as brands like Heineken, which have made it their aim to be at the heart of cultural change in football, proving they're genuinely committed to changing the sport for the better, both on and off the pitch.
Speaking to former England player and Euros 2022 champion Jill Scott MBE, we discuss the evolution of the game, the racism still plaguing it, and the future of women's football.
The Women's Euros 2025 has been an entertaining tournament to say the least. What has been your highlight so far?When I heard the record-breaking ticket sales, I think over 600,000 tickets have been sold, I think that just shows how many people are now wanting to come and watch women's football. So I think just being in and around the tournament, and just getting to meet the fans. Women's football now has fans who aren't going away. When I used to play, you would get fans that would just turn up for tournaments, and then it would drop off, but now the women's games have fans that are here through the good times and the bad times. That's definitely been my highlight.
Who do you think is taking the trophy home tonight?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
3 minutes ago
- New York Times
La Liga want to stage Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami: How likely is it to happen?
La Liga want to stage December's scheduled domestic league fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami. According to multiple sources familiar with the discussions, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, the Spanish top-flight league have held preliminary discussions to relocate the fixture, which would ordinarily take place at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica home in eastern Spain, to instead be staged in Florida. Advertisement It would be the first time a European top-flight league fixture has taken place in the United States. On Monday, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will discuss their approval of the proposal, which if granted, would lead to UEFA being asked to initiate the procedures for FIFA to grant authorisation for the fixture change. La Liga president Javier Tebas has voiced his support on staging a Spanish league fixture in the U.S. on multiple occasions, and last year spoke of his optimism for a league match being staged abroad by 2025-26. Discussions are now taking place to stage the matchday 17 match between Villarreal and Barcelona, scheduled for the weekend of December 20-21, in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. A Miami Dolphins fixture is currently scheduled for December 21 against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock, so the actual date of the La Liga game may be moved around to accommodate the NFL calendar. There will be no fixtures in the Champions League — in which both sides are competing this season — in the week of December 15-21, although the Copa del Rey round-of-32 is scheduled for the midweek of December 16-18. The Spanish league first attempted to stage a match abroad in 2018 with a proposal for Girona's home league game against Barcelona to be played in Miami. However, this was met with opposition from both the RFEF and FIFA, world football's governing body, as was a similar proposal the following year to play Atletico Madrid's league match against Villarreal in the U.S.. Since then, relations between La Liga and the RFEF have improved. Meanwhile, the possibility of playing domestic league fixtures abroad has increased after FIFA was dropped from a landmark lawsuit by the U.S. events promoter Relevent in April 2024. Relevent, founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, accused FIFA's directive, issued in 2018, of guiding that domestic games should be played in their home territory as acting as a monopoly and preventing fair competition. FIFA and Relevent settled on their case without prejudice, meaning Relevent reserve the right to reopen their litigation should FIFA not come up with a satisfactory reconsideration of their position. Advertisement Last year, La Liga made a fresh attempt to move a domestic league match abroad with an attempt to play Barcelona's home match against Atletico in Miami. Speaking to ESPN in July, La Liga president Tebas reiterated his hope for a Miami-staged match this season. Meanwhile, Barcelona president Joan Laporta told CNN earlier this month that it would 'be a great honour' for his club to play a league match in the United States and that he believed there may be an opportunity for this during 2025-26. Any competitive fixture being staged abroad requires green light each domestic federation — the RFEF and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) — alongside each of the relevant continental-wide confederations, UEFA and Concacaf. US Soccer and Relevent settled their own anti-trust lawsuit earlier this year and the national federation will not stand in the way of the match taking place on American soil after extensive positive consultation between Relevent and US Soccer stakeholders in recent months. FIFA, meanwhile, brought global club soccer to the U.S. this summer by revamping their Club World Cup as a 32-team tournament. They have been in the process of reviewing their policies on domestic matches taking place outside of their home country for over a year and are not expected to be a hindrance to the initiative. The biggest challenge for La Liga will be to secure the backing of the authorities at home, where the Spanish national federation must approve the fixture as well as UEFA. The RFEF is due to discuss the proposal on Monday. Despite La Liga's collective desire to bring a game to the U.S., Real Madrid has expressed internal opposition. Madrid, the 36-time league winner, previously opposed the idea of taking individual matches outside the U.S. because executives have concerns about how it will impact the integrity of La Liga's competition if home advantage for a participating team is eliminated, therefore creating an imbalanced competition. Advertisement An agreement will also be needed as to how La Liga shares the proceeds and profits of any game abroad across the division, so that not only the participating teams benefit. La Liga North America and Relevent declined to comment. Additional reporting from Guillermo Rai and Dermot Corrigan Playing a Primera Division game overseas has long been part of La Liga president Javier Tebas' vision of expanding his association's reach and power. Tebas' plans were thwarted in 2018 and 2019 by opposition from then-federation president Luis Rubiales and current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Rubiales then brought the Spanish Supercopa to Saudi Arabia, in a deal still under investigation by anti-corruption authorities in Spain. Perez has also pushed the European Super League project. Playing a match abroad would help La Liga to counteract the big commercial advantage the Premier League has in the U.S. and other markets outside Europe. La Liga has an office in New York, and also regularly organises friendly games for its teams in other continents during the off-season. Tebas has regularly said — including in two different interviews with The Athletic — that once it is possible for La Liga to play games overseas, it will. Since Rubiales fell into disgrace and departure, the relationship between the RFEF and La Liga has improved markedly. Dermot Corrigan Plenty of money, if organised, promoted and marketed in the most effective way. We have seen no shortage of major hits in the U.S. when famous European football teams have descended on the continent for pre-season. The scarcity of competitive games, combined with the willingness of U.S. sports fans to spend big on events, as well as dynamic pricing, may all combine to draw eye-watering numbers. Advertisement Hard Rock Stadium has also become a go-to venue for major soccer events, notably fixtures during Copa America last summer, including the final of the tournament, while it hosted matches for this year's Club World Cup and will stage games at the men's World Cup in 2026. Adam Crafton (Top image: Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Salah questions UEFA's 'farewell' to former Palestine soccer player Suleiman Obeid
CAIRO (AP) — Mohamed Salah is questioning UEFA's 'farewell' to former Palestinian soccer player Suleiman Obeid who was reportedly shot and killed by Israeli forces while awaiting aid in Gaza. 'Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?' Salah asked on the social network X in response to a post from UEFA saying, 'Farewell to Suleiman al-Obeid, the 'Palestinian Pele.' A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.' Obeid, 41, was fatally shot by Israeli forces on Wednesday while he was waiting among crowds for aid near a distribution site in southern Gaza, the Palestine Football Association said. He leaves behind a wife and five children. The Associated Press could not independently verify the account. Obeid played 24 games for Palestine, scoring two goals, while he scored more than 100 over his career with local clubs, said the PFA, which described him as 'one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.' The PFA published a letter attributed to Aleksander Čeferin in which the UEFA president said he was 'deeply saddened by the tragic death' of Obeid, who was 'more than just a footballer. He was proof that joy, skill, and pride can flourish despite suffering. His talent and dedication to the game gave the children of Gaza and beyond reason to believe in a brighter tomorrow. His passing is a great loss to the world of football and to everyone who understands the power of sport to inspire.' The PFA said Obeid's death brings to 662 the number of Palestinian athletes and sporting officials killed since the 22-month war started. Israel's air and ground campaign has killed tens of thousands of people in Gaza, displaced most of the population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine. Hamas-led militants triggered the war when they stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 people. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ruben Amorim reaction sparks Gianluigi Donnarumma to Man United transfer theory
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has sparked a transfer frenzy among supporters after a video surfaced on social media of him responding to a question regarding Gianluigi Donnarumma. The United boss has been busy bolstering his squad throughout the summer transfer window with four new faces through the door. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have all been big-money purchases while Diego Leon has provided depth in defence. It's understood now that Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox will prioritise a new midfielder before the window closes on September 1. A move for Brighton's Carlos Baleba has been muted while Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Atalanta's Ederson are also on their radar. However, Andre Onana's form since moving to United has resulted in doubts over his future at the club. Various reports have indicated that Amorim wants a new number one to compliment his style of play but no move has played out yet. Interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma has developed over the course of the window. After helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League last season, the Italy number one is expected to leave the club this summer. With just one year left on his deal, Donnarumma is yet to agree to new terms and the signing of Lucas Chevalier from LOSC Lille has placed more doubt over his future. United have been linked with the former AC Milan star this summer to come in and be Amorim's number one. United's hopes of signing a new goalkeeper rely on the potential sale of Andre Onana, something that seems unlikely at this stage. With three weeks of the window left, a new midfielder is the priority. On Saturday, Amorim was asked by a supporter outside Old Trafford if the Reds were signing Donnarumma. The fan asked: "Hey Ruben, who we signing? Are we getting Donnarumma?" Amorim replied with: "Sorry?" before the fan repeated the question about the Italian. Whilst signing autographs, the United boss chuckled without a response. Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis. Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe. You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories. And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
