Latest news with #SarinaWeigman
The Sun
7 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Lionesses star Fran Kirby follows Mary Earps in retiring from England just weeks before Euro 2025
LIONESSES star Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football ahead of this summer's European Championships. Kirby, 31, has decided to end her international career after being informed that she wouldn't be part of Sarina Weigman's squad for the Euros. 1 A statement released on Kirby's Instagram read: "After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. "I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it happened. "It's been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl. "I've played with some incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have some irreplaceable memories." She added: "Starting in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be a part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could ever have imagined. "Thank you to you all, for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know, wearing that badge was the greatest honour. "To every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can." 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.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Kirby announces England retirement before Euros
England attacking midfielder Fran Kirby has announced her retirement from international football with immediate effect before the European an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, Kirby says she is leaving the international scene with her "head held high".The Brighton player, who has 77 caps for the Lionesses, has been a key figure for England for more than a was named in Sarina Weigman's squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Portugal and Spain but was informed she would not be selected for the Euros starting on 2 her first interview after announcing her retirement, Kirby said: "It is something I have been thinking about for over a year. I knew this was going to be my last major tournament."The plan was to retire after the Euros but after speaking to Sarina I'm not going to make the squad."It was like a dagger to my heart but also a weight off my shoulders all at the same time. It was emotional for both of us but we both respected what each person was saying." The news comes just days after goalkeeper Mary Earps also retired from international football before England attempt to defend their Euros 31, is understood to have informed her England team-mates of the decision after Tuesday's clash against Spain in last England appearance was as a second-half substitute in the 6-0 win over Portugal. She was not named in the matchday squad against former Chelsea player, who is a two-time PFA Women's Footballer of the Year winner, is one of the most recognisable female players in the won seven Women's Super League (WSL) titles and five Women's FA Cup trophies at Chelsea, but she is best remembered for playing a key role in England's historic Euro 2022 started all six of England's games in the tournament, scoring twice, as Wiegman's side lifted the trophy with victory over Germany at Wembley."When I woke up in the morning after telling Sarina, I didn't feel any regret," added Kirby. "That's when I knew I'd made the right decision."I've been on this team for a long time, it's not going to be a shock that it was coming to an end."You get to a certain age and there are some really good youngsters that are coming through." Kirby, who started her career at Reading, scored seven goals in 17 WSL appearances this season as Brighton finished fifth."I've put everything into this and feel like I have had a good domestic year," she said."I've fought hard to be in the Euros squad but unfortunately that's not enough."Kirby has battled with injury issues and illness throughout her career, struggling with fatigue in the build-up to Euro 2022 and missing the 2023 World Cup with a knee injury that required surgery."Everyone knows the injuries that I've had and I've been protecting my body," she said."This is part of that. But I feel like I've got so much to give in football. I'm already looking forward to the domestic season." Kirby's full retirement statement After being in the England team since I was 21, it's time to close that chapter of my life. I didn't ever want this day to come, but I cannot tell you how proud I am it been the biggest honour to represent my country, one that I had only dreamt about as a young girl.I've played with some incredible players, worked with some incredible managers, played in some amazing tournaments and have irreplaceable journey has been full of ups and downs, setbacks and achievements. Enough has been said and written about those, but regardless of whatever was thrown at me, I want you all to know that every time I put on that England badge I gave it 100%.Every single call-up, I accepted my role and did whatever was needed for the team. I wanted England to win. I've always been there to help England mum had a dream of me representing my country and I'm so proud I was able to do that and play in front of you all.I will never, ever forget the noise when my name is read out at a stadium. I was first selected when I was playing in WSL 2, I played a part in the game-changing World Cup, wininng bronze in 2015, creating memories of a in every game and winning the Euros in 2022 was a dream come true, to be part of change in women's football was one of the best experiences I could ever have you to all of you for embracing me as a young girl from Reading who had a dream. I hope you all know that wearing that badge was the greatest every young girl that suffers setbacks, just remember you can. You can. Forever a Lioness, Fran.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lionesses to be handed record £1.7m bonus package if they win Euro 2025
The FA has agreed a record bonus package with England's Lionesses worth up to £1.7million if they defend their European Championship title this summer. The Guardian revealed in March that negotiations over the players' bonuses had reached an impasse, risking a repeat of the stand-off that disrupted their preparations for the 2023 World Cup, but the discussions have now concluded with Sarina Weigman's squad believed to be happy with the outcome. Advertisement Related: WSL in advanced talks over historic deal for all players in top two tiers to join PFA The FA is understood to have increased their offer, with the £1.7m bonus pot more than double the amount the players received for reaching the World Cup final in Australia two years ago. While the precise amount paid to each player will depend on appearances and minutes played, the average bonus on offer if England win the tournament is around £73,000, more than £18,000 more than they received following their historic triumph at Wembley three years ago. A source involved in the process told The Guardian that while the negotiations had been difficult all parties were satisfied with the end result, particularly the fact that it was resolved before the squad met up at St George's Park to begin their European Championship preparations this week. The squad meet-up has been somewhat overshadowed by the shock announcement of Mary Earps' international retirement, with the FA relieved that another potential distraction in bonus talks has been removed. A dispute about bonuses interrupted the Lionesses' preparations for the World Cup two years ago with the FA initially reluctant to offer performance-related payments after Fifa introduced individual player fees for the first time. Advertisement The FA eventually agreed to pay bonuses, although the matter was only resolved the month after they returned from the tournament, where Weigman's side were beaten 1-0 in the final by Spain. The governing body will also cash in if England have a successful tournament this summer as Uefa has more than doubled the prize money made available to the 16 competing nations to £34m, with the winners to receive £4.3m. The FA equalised match fees for the men's and women's national teams five years ago with all senior England players receiving about £2,000 a game which in most cases are donated to charities, but bonus payments remain far apart due to the differing levels of prize money on offer in men's and women's tournaments. Gareth Southgate's squad would have shared a bonus pot of about £14m for example, had they won last summer's European Championship final against Spain. England begin their Euro 2025 build-up with a Uefa Nations League game against Portugal at Wembley on Friday before facing Spain in Barcelona next week. After a friendly against Jamaica in Leicester at the end of next month Weigman's side start the defence of the European title with a difficult game against France on 5 July before further group games against the Netherlands and Wales. The FA declined to comment.
The Guardian
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Lionesses to be handed record £1.7m bonus package if they win Euro 2025
The FA has agreed a record bonus package with England's Lionesses worth up to £1.7million if they defend their European Championship title this summer. The Guardian revealed in March that negotiations over the players' bonuses had reached an impasse, risking a repeat of the stand-off that disrupted their preparations for the 2023 World Cup, but the discussions have now concluded with Sarina Weigman's squad believed to be happy with the outcome. The FA is understood to have increased their offer, with the £1.7m bonus pot more than double the amount the players received for reaching the World Cup final in Australia two years ago. While the precise amount paid to each player will depend on appearances and minutes played, the average bonus on offer if England win the tournament is around £73,000, more than £18,000 more than they received following their historic triumph at Wembley three years ago. A source involved in the process told The Guardian that while the negotiations had been difficult all parties were satisfied with the end result, particularly the fact that it was resolved before the squad met up at St George's Park to begin their European Championship preparations this week. The squad meet-up has been somewhat overshadowed by the shock announcement of Mary Earps' international retirement, with the FA relieved that another potential distraction in bonus talks has been removed. A dispute about bonuses interrupted the Lionesses' preparations for the World Cup two years ago with the FA initially reluctant to offer performance-related payments after Fifa introduced individual player fees for the first time. The FA eventually agreed to pay bonuses, although the matter was only resolved the month after they returned from the tournament, where Weigman's side were beaten 1-0 in the final by Spain. The governing body will also cash in if England have a successful tournament this summer as Uefa has more than doubled the prize money made available to the 16 competing nations to £34m, with the winners to receive £4.3m. The FA equalised match fees for the men's and women's national teams five years ago with all senior England players receiving about £2,000 a game which in most cases are donated to charities, but bonus payments remain far apart due to the differing levels of prize money on offer in men's and women's tournaments. Gareth Southgate's squad would have shared a bonus pot of about £14m for example, had they won last summer's European Championship final against Spain. England begin their Euro 2025 build-up with a Uefa Nations League game against Portugal at Wembley on Friday before facing Spain in Barcelona next week. After a friendly against Jamaica in Leicester at the end of next month Weigman's side start the defence of the European title with a difficult game against France on 5 July before further group games against the Netherlands and Wales. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women's football after newsletter promotion The FA declined to comment.
The Guardian
09-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
A different story for England as Belgium hit back – Women's Football Weekly
On this week's Guardian Women's Football Weekly, the panel, who are scattered across Europe, discuss the Lionesses' two game in four days home and away against Belgium. Last Friday was a very comfortable 5-0 win in Bristol but fast forward to Monday and it was a different story as Belgium got their revenge with a 3-2 win, leaving the Lionesses in second place in their group Sarina Weigman said the team would learn a lot from the away leg but instead of looking back, the focus is on the future and her summer selection plans with England's first game in Euro 2025 against France on 5 July. There's a look at the rest of the Nations League action and how the campaigns are playing out for Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland And the panel discuss the hosts for the 2031 and the 2035 World Cups and the launch of a new professional league in Canada – on today's Guardian Women's Football Weekly. Join the Fantasy League this season on Code GUARDIANWFW. Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link. Support the Guardian here.
