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New York Times
19-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Women's football's ‘sub-standard' pitches put ‘player safety at risk', says PFA
Women's football is putting player safety at risk with the standard of pitches, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has said. The playing surface for top-level matches has been the source of criticism twice in the last week following Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final tie between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium and Saturday's Subway League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Pride Park. Advertisement The conditions were described as 'sub-standard' by the PFA, the players' union for professional football in England. 'Pitches like this don't just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk,' a PFA spokesperson told The Athletic. 'On multiple occasions over the past few days, in important ties, our members have been asked to play in sub-standard conditions. 'World-class players deserve world-class standards, and they are right to expect better.' Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor had questioned whether the pitch quality would be tolerated in the men's game after her side beat Manchester City to win the Subway Women's Cup on Saturday, while midfielder Erin Cuthbert said it was not fit for a cup final. The surface at Pride Park, home to Championship Derby County, appeared cut up, sandy and bobbly. 'It's a bit of a shame to have this pitch for a final, especially when you expect England to have the best pitches in the world,' Bompastor said. 'I'm not sure if it was a men's final game it would be the same, so we just need to make sure we have the best facilities to play the games.' Pride Park was announced as the final venue in December, with host grounds selected in part for their ability to maintain a high quality pitch in the winter months. Sources with knowledge of the hosting venue criteria indicated the responsibility for maintaining the quality of the playing surface falls on the host club. The Athletic contacted Derby for comment. The surface at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Tuesday, meanwhile, was boggy and appeared to impact the speed of the ball. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright labelled it 'a disgrace'. Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz left the pitch in tears, having sustained an injury after appearing to kick the surface as she played a pass. The Athletic contacted UEFA for comment.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Women's football's ‘sub-standard' pitches put ‘player safety at risk', says PFA
Women's football is putting player safety at risk with the standard of pitches, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has said. The playing surface for top-level matches has been the source of criticism twice in the last week following Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final tie between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium and Saturday's Subway League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Pride Park. The conditions were described as 'sub-standard' by the PFA, the players' union for professional football in England. 'Pitches like this don't just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk,' a PFA spokesperson told 'On multiple occasions over the past few days, in important ties, our members have been asked to play in sub-standard conditions. 'World-class players deserve world-class standards, and they are right to expect better.' Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor had questioned whether the pitch quality would be tolerated in the men's game after her side beat Manchester City to win the Subway Women's Cup on Saturday, while midfielder Erin Cuthbert said it was not fit for a cup final. The surface at Pride Park, home to Championship Derby County, appeared cut up, sandy and bobbly. 'It's a bit of a shame to have this pitch for a final, especially when you expect England to have the best pitches in the world,' Bompastor said. 'I'm not sure if it was a men's final game it would be the same, so we just need to make sure we have the best facilities to play the games.' Pride Park was announced as the final venue in December, with host grounds selected in part for their ability to maintain a high quality pitch in the winter months. Sources with knowledge of the hosting venue criteria indicated the responsibility for maintaining the quality of the playing surface falls on the host club. contacted Derby for comment. The surface at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Tuesday, meanwhile, was boggy and appeared to impact the speed of the ball. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright labelled it 'a disgrace'. Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz left the pitch in tears, having sustained an injury after appearing to kick the surface as she played a pass. contacted UEFA for comment. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. UK Women's Football 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mann: Etihad showcase will highlight strength of women's game
City Studios commentator Alistair Mann says every women's match at the Etihad provides opportunity to attract new fans. After two thrilling Barclays Women's Super League games at the Etihad already this season, we return to the arena for a final time in 2024/25 on Sunday. That one sees us welcome Chelsea for the league instalment of a seismic run of four back-to-back meetings with Sonia Bompastor's side. Buy tickets for City v Chelsea at the Etihad The series of clashes got under way at Pride Park on Saturday when we were edged out in the Subway League Cup final. We'll now all head to the Joie Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of a UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final, where Mann will be providing live, free radio commentary on and our official app. After that, attention shifts to the Etihad Stadium for Sunday's 14:30 (UK) start. WATCH: Extended highlights | City 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur While Mann won't be in attendance at that one, we'll have a bumper Matchday Live show that includes Toni Duggan, Jen Beattie and Karen Bardsley. With tickets selling fast, Mann believes this match is another opportunity to show off just how much the women's game has developed to the widest possible audience. 'I think any women's game at the Etihad Stadium always has a little extra edge to it,' he said. 'Hopefully there will be a really good crowd, there always has been when City have moved over from the Joie Stadium to the Etihad. 'I can specifically think about the Manchester United games in recent seasons, when the atmosphere has been terrific. 'The atmosphere is always great at the Joie, but playing here adds an extra ingredient. I'm really pleased that's happening and I think it does make a difference. 'A lot of people will see the women's game at international level, but these games provide an extra opportunity for people to get their first taste of the women's game live. 'They'll see how impressive it is and come back for more. 'It's fantastic to be part of a product that is the best it's ever been and with every year that goes by, it keeps going on to another level. 'I'm sure the players are excited about it as well!'
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mann: Etihad showcase will highlight strength of women's game
City Studios commentator Alistair Mann says every women's match at the Etihad provides opportunity to attract new fans. After two thrilling Barclays Women's Super League games at the Etihad already this season, we return to the arena for a final time in 2024/25 on Sunday. That one sees us welcome Chelsea for the league instalment of a seismic run of four back-to-back meetings with Sonia Bompastor's side. Buy tickets for City v Chelsea at the Etihad The series of clashes got under way at Pride Park on Saturday when we were edged out in the Subway League Cup final. We'll now all head to the Joie Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of a UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final, where Mann will be providing live, free radio commentary on and our official app. After that, attention shifts to the Etihad Stadium for Sunday's 14:30 (UK) start. WATCH: Extended highlights | City 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur While Mann won't be in attendance at that one, we'll have a bumper Matchday Live show that includes Toni Duggan, Jen Beattie and Karen Bardsley. With tickets selling fast, Mann believes this match is another opportunity to show off just how much the women's game has developed to the widest possible audience. 'I think any women's game at the Etihad Stadium always has a little extra edge to it,' he said. 'Hopefully there will be a really good crowd, there always has been when City have moved over from the Joie Stadium to the Etihad. 'I can specifically think about the Manchester United games in recent seasons, when the atmosphere has been terrific. 'The atmosphere is always great at the Joie, but playing here adds an extra ingredient. I'm really pleased that's happening and I think it does make a difference. 'A lot of people will see the women's game at international level, but these games provide an extra opportunity for people to get their first taste of the women's game live. 'They'll see how impressive it is and come back for more. 'It's fantastic to be part of a product that is the best it's ever been and with every year that goes by, it keeps going on to another level. 'I'm sure the players are excited about it as well!'
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fujino returns for League Cup final
Aoba Fujino is set to return to the starting line-up ahead ahead of City's League Cup final clash with Chelsea. The Japan international had been ruled out of our previous two fixtures with a foot injury, but has been given the nod for our clash with Chelsea. It's the only change from Nick Cushing as our Interim Head Coach prepares to take charge of his first game after returning to the Club earlier this week. Jess Park drops to the bench in Fujino's place, with the winger expected to start on the right flank in Saturday's 12:15 (UK) kick-off. City XI: Yamashita, Casparij, Prior, Aleixandri (C), Ouahabi, Hasegawa, Miedema, Roord, Fujino, Fowler, Shaw. Subs: Keating, Layzell, Coombs, Wienroither, Kerolin Nicoli, Park, Blindkilde Brown, Oyama, Murphy. WATCH: Chelsea v City: Our Subway League Cup final awaits... Ayaka Yamashita starts between the sticks with a back four of Kerstin Casparij, Gracie Prior, Laia Aleixandri and Leila Ouahabi. Yui Hasegawa is expected to sit at the base of the City midfield three, allowing Dutch internationals Vivianne Miedema and Jill Roord to support the attack. At the sharp end, Fujino will start on the right flank, with Mary Fowler occupying the opposite wing. Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw will then lead the line as centre-forward. WATCH: This is where we want to be, says Shaw Aoba Fujino has really hit the ground running in the new year for City, picking up two goals and three assists in her last five appearances. Her dynamism out on the flank could prove vital for the Blues this afternoon once again as she looks to recapture that form after a brief injury lay-off. With a low centre of gravity and an excellent eye for a pass, she's not only a threat herself in front of goal, but is also capable of unlocking defences by bringing others into the game. Gracie Prior has only made ten senior appearances for City, but you can see the young centre-half growing in confidence every time she features. The 20-year-old will line-up alongside Aleixandri this afternoon in what is perhaps her biggest test so far in a City shirt. However, her composure on the ball and strong physical presence mean she's more than up to the challenge. -Chelsea and Manchester City will compete in the Women's League Cup final for a second time, also doing so in 2021-22 when the London side took a 1-0 lead before City won the trophy with a 3-1 victory. -Both Chelsea and Manchester City are competing in their sixth Women's League Cup final – Chelsea won their first two (2020, 2021) but have been runners-up in each of the last three seasons, while City have won the trophy in four of their five finals (2014, 2016, 2019, 2022), losing 1-0 to Arsenal in 2018. -Manchester City's victory against Arsenal in the semi-final this season was their 50th win in the Women's League Cup, becoming the second side with 50+ victories after Arsenal (55). The side with the third-most wins are Chelsea (40). -Chelsea have won 20 of their last 24 matches in the Women's League Cup (D1 L3) but their three defeats in that time have all been in the finals in 2022, 2023 and 2024. -Vivianne Miedema scored in the 2018 Women's League Cup final for Arsenal against the Blues. The only player to score in the final for two different clubs is Ellen White (2011 and 2013 for Arsenal, 2022 for Manchester City). As always, you can follow Saturday's League Cup final on the official Man City app. Our Matchday Centre coverage will get under way from 10:45 (UK), providing you with all the pre-match build-up, stats and analysis before live text and audio commentary from kick-off. A special Matchday Live show, featuring special guests Karen Bardsley, Toni Duggan and Steve Howey, will also get under way from 11:10 to offer a City-centric feel to your match experience. From kick-off, Nick Walsh and Karen Bardsley will call the action from the commentary box while our text updates continue. Make sure you have push notifications turned on so you get live updates as they happen via our app. After the final whistle, a detailed match report plus reaction from both interim Head Coach Cushing and the players will then be available to view. Highlights from the final, plus a CITY+ full-match replay, will also be made available four hours after full-time on Saturday.
