Latest news with #honorarydamehood
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Arise, Dame Sarina! Lionesses' Dutch manager Wiegman in line for honorary damehood - even if England lose Euros final - amid fears of a sexism row over Sir Gareth Southgate's knighthood
Sarina Wiegman is in line to receive an honorary damehood if England retain the women's European Championship, according to a report. The Dutch manager, who lead the Lionesses' to their third successive major tournament final on Tuesday night, could reportedly nab the honour even if England fall at the last hurdle. She was reported to be set for an honorary damehood two years ago before the Lionesses' suffered an agonising defeat in the World Cup final to Spain. Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp all received honours in recognition of the team becoming the first senior England side to reach the final since 1996. According to The Telegraph, failure to reward Wiegman this time around - even if England are defeated in Sunday's showpiece - risks sparking a sexism row, given that Gareth Southgate received a knighthood even after losing the Euro 2024 final with the men's squad. The former England boss was rewarded for services to football in the New Year's Honours list, having stepped down as Three Lions' boss following defeat to Spain. Should Wiegman lead England to glory next week, she will become the first manager of the national team to win two major honours. After England won Euro 2022, the 55-year-old was made CBE on the UK's overseas list with the permission of the Dutch government. She was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for leading her native Netherlands to Euro 2017, which she followed up by reaching the final of the 2019 World Cup. According to the Telegraph's report, several members of the playing squad are also set to be recognised should the Lionesses prevail in Switzerland. Skipper Leah Williamson could see her OBE after Euro 2022 upgraded to a CBE. The news follows England's dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over Italy on Tuesday night which came courtesy of late goals from Michelle Agyemang and Chloe Kelly at the end of regulation and extra time.
Telegraph
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Arise, Dame Sarina: Wiegman in line for honour after Lionesses' charge to Euros final
Sarina Wiegman is in line for an honorary damehood if England retain the European Women's Championship and could receive one even if they do not. Leah Williamson may also be handed an upgrade to her OBE if she lifts the trophy in Basel on Sunday, with other members of the squad rewarded with gongs, too. As Telegraph Sport revealed, Wiegman was set to be put forward for an honorary damehood two years ago had the Lionesses won the World Cup. England finished runners-up but captain Millie Bright (OBE), goalkeeper Mary Earps and forward Lauren Hemp (both MBE) all received honours for helping the team reach their first final – and first for a men's or women's team since 1966. Winning Euro 2025 would mean another round of honours for the Lionesses, while their Dutch head coach would have an irresistible case to be made Dame Sarina. Victory would make her the first manager of a senior England team to mastermind two tournament triumphs, and the only one to successfully defend a major title. Even if she lost what would be her fifth successive world or European final, including leading the Lionesses to glory at Euro 2022, she would still boast a better tournament record than anyone to have managed the country's men's or women's sides. That includes Sir Gareth Southgate, whom Telegraph Sport revealed was in line for a knighthood as Euro 2024 approached its climax. Southgate was duly rewarded for services to football in the New Year's Honours list, having quit as men's manager following the tournament. Failure to recognise Wiegman's achievements – whether immediately or when she eventually moves on – could therefore risk provoking a major sexism row. After England won Euro 2022, Wiegman was made CBE on the UK's overseas list with the permission of the Dutch government. Insiders have previously said the same process would be required to make the 55-year-old an honorary dame. It is highly unlikely such a request would be refused. She was previously made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau for leading her native country to victory at Euro 2017, which she followed up by steering them to the 2019 World Cup final. Williamson, who missed the 2023 World Cup through injury, could expect to be made a CBE if she becomes the first England captain to lift two major trophies. She and the likes of goalkeeper Hannah Hampson – the hero of the Lionesses' quarter-final penalty-shootout triumph – would also be among the favourites to be crowned BBC's Sports Personality of the Year. As with most major footballing triumphs, a victory parade appears certain to be staged if England won Euro 2025, along with receptions for the squad at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street.
