Latest news with #Euro2020
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer's brutal advice to England men's football team after Lionesses' victory
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is a huge football fan, branded the women's team 'history makers' after watching them roar to success in Switzerland last night The Prime Minister has given some brutal advice to England men's football team after the Lionesses secured back-to-back victories at the Euros. Keir Starmer, who is a huge football fan, branded the women's team "history makers" after watching them roar to success in Switzerland last night. After a gruelling 120 minutes of play, the Lionesses clinched onto their title in a tense penalty shootout against Spain. It came after the team showed nerves of steel in both the semi- and quarter-finals, where they beat Sweden and Italy after initially falling behind. Asked if the PM thinks the England men's team could take a lesson or two from the women's team, Mr Starmer's official spokesman: "Yes, they should absolutely take a lesson. The bottle that women's team showed over the last few games is completely remarkable." He commended how the team had "still managed to come back" in every game despite spending so little of the knockout stages ahead of the game, adding: "I'm sure one or the two on the England men's team will be watching on and taking notes as to how they follow in their footsteps." Mr Starmer's spokesman added that the PM - who is a massive Arsenal fan - is hopeful for Arsenal women's season ahead, after the success and performance of its players Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo on the international stage. Asked if the PM was "optimistic" for the Arsenal women's season next year, the spokesman said: "Yes, absolutely. I mean, they've shown what they can do for England team. "Russo obviously scored a crucial equaliser last night as well. And yeah, Leah, what an amazing job she's done as captain to marshal her team and bring the trophy home. So yeah, he'll be certainly looking forward to hopefully that success translating onto the pitch for Arsenal Women." England men's football team last won a major tournament in 1966, when they were victorious in the World Cup. At the men's Euro tournament last year, England were defeated by Spain in the final. The team also reached the final at the Euro 2020 competition, where they were lost against Italy in a penalty shootout. Deputy PM Angela Rayner will host the Lionesses' historic victory at a special reception at No10 today. The reception will take place this afternoon, bringing together players, coaches, and representatives from The Football Association to mark this momentous achievement. Ms Rayner said: 'Our Lionesses are absolute champions and they proved that again last night. Not only are they bringing it home for England again, but they're inspiring the next generation of champions too. It'll be a privilege to celebrate this amazing win with them in Downing Street." No10 today ruled out an extra bank holiday to celebrate the Lionesses' achievement. Mr Starmer's spokesman said: "If we have a bank holiday every time the Lionesses win, we'd never go to work."
Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Times
FA deserves credit for revival of men's and women's team
A former colleague of Greg Dyke at the Football Association described him as 'a bull looking for a china shop'. They meant it affectionately. Dyke is remembered with far more fondness by those who worked under him at the FA than those who viewed his chairmanship from the outside. External perceptions focus on the brevity and controversies of his three-year stint from 2013 to 2016 and, sure, not everything Dyke tried was productive. His proposal to introduce Premier League B teams into the Football League really was like sending plates crashing everywhere. But Dyke introduced something crucial to the FA, and it was ambition. He set England's men the target of reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and victory at the 2022 World Cup. While this seemed too grandiose for some, it reacquainted the organisation with a core purpose, which is to produce winning national sides.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
FA chief issues stern message about online abuse against players
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham stated that social media companies are not doing enough to prevent racist abuse against England players. This follows Lionesses defender Jess Carter receiving "vile" racist abuse during Euro 2025, four years after similar incidents at Euro 2020. Bullingham expressed disappointment at the lack of progress since Euro 2020, despite previous discussions with social media platforms. The FA is working with UK police and urges government regulator Ofcom to utilise its powers under the Online Safety Act 2023 to hold social media companies accountable. England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy also announced she would step away from social media, citing its role in enabling abuse without consequence.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Christian Eriksen in shock transfer talks to join Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham after Man Utd exit
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is reportedly in shock talks to join Wrexham following his Manchester United exit. The midfielder is available on a free transfer after his Red Devils contract expired. 1 Wrexham have made a shock attempt to sign Christian Eriksen Credit: PA And Wrexham have made a stunning attempt to bring him to Wales this summer. Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are keen to make an impression in the Championship after winning promotion from League One last season. And the Mail claims they held talks with Eriksen after the Dane was released from Old Trafford earlier this month. The 33-year-old was regarded as one of the best midfielders in world football at the peak of his powers. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And a transfer to Wrexham would have been a huge statement not just for the Welsh side, but also for England's second tier. Unfortunately for Wrexham, Eriksen is believed to be holding out for a top-flight move elsewhere. The veteran, who also starred at Tottenham, Brentford, Ajax and Inter Milan, reckons he can still cut it in Europe's biggest leagues. And although Eriksen appreciated Wrexham's approach - and was left impressed by their ambition - he is currently not interested in a move. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020, is now thought to be considering offers from Saudi Arabia, America, Brazil and Turkey. A source said: "Wrexham are really upgrading everything both on and off the field, and it is a hugely impressive project, as you can see from the presence of people like Michael Williamson there. Ruben Amorim apologises to Christian Eriksen for 'misunderstanding' after comments about Man Utd star's heart situation "But Christian still wants to play in a first-tier competition and he absolutely wants to stay in Western Europe. There are some contacts going on but it has to suit both sides." THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
FA chief makes blunt social media demand after Lionesses star Jess Carter racially abused
Jess Carter took the decision to withdraw from social media after receiving racial abuse online during England's Euro 2025 campaign and FA CEO Mark Bullingham has had his say FA CEO Mark Bullingham recognises work needs to be done to tackle online abuse after Lionesses star Jess Carter suffered racial abuse during the women's Euros in Switzerland. Carter has stepped away from social media after the abuse, which has prompted the FA to get UK police involved. It comes a few short years after England men's stars Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subject to racial abuse after the Euro 2020 final, which was held in summer 2021. 'We did think things would improve [since 2021] and we lobbied very hard together with Kick it Out and other representatives in football to make sure the Online Harms Act came through,' Bullingham said. 'I think we would have liked it to have been stronger in some cases – if you look at the specific areas like 'legal but harmful' and things like that. There's a real risk that if we're not firm in how the act is implemented, it won't be as strong as we hope. 'I think now it's incumbent on Ofcom to make sure they really do bring those responsible for running social media platforms to account and I haven't seen huge progress in the last couple of years. We would like to see it now." He added that the FA had held meetings with social media platforms in recent years, but said 'we haven't seen the progress we'd like to have seen'. One issue comes from the fact that some of the abuse - around half, Bullingham estimates - comes from overseas and doesn't fall into the UK authorities' jurisdiction. 'If you look at the kind of areas of prevention, I think the prevention generally is done by the social media companies,' he added. 'If you look at the prosecution, obviously we can only work with the UK police, generally. 'There are, when we work with some of the companies that support us, there are occasions where you can prosecute outside the UK, but it's really hard and generally really expensive. Obviously anything FIFA can do to bring pressure to bear, and they have, we've spoken with FIFA and UEFA on this, bring pressure to bear on social media companies, prevention is always better than a cure, right? 'So if we can work with them on that, that would be better, but where there are occasions, make sure we can prosecute. And we do think that people who perpetrate these hate crimes should be prosecuted wherever they are in the world.' Bullingham added that there were "multiple" instances of social media abuse when it came to those targeting Carter, reinforcing the message that prevention can be as important as the removal of offensive material. "I would say that all social media platforms could be a lot better," he said. "There has been a lot of focus on taking down content and I think they could be better at taking down content but, more importantly, they could be much better at preventing it as well and then aiding prosecution when it happens. So they need to be better. "I don't think that a particular platform is worse than some of the others. They like to take the view that they are just a portal, but actually they need to take responsibility as a publisher and make sure this vitriol and hate crime does not appear on their sites."
