Latest news with #womenfootball
Washington Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
OL Lyonnes appoints Jonatan Giraldez as new head coach
LYON, France — Former Barcelona and Washington Spirit coach Jonatan Giraldez has joined French powerhouse OL Lyonnes as a replacement for Joe Montemurro. The eight-time European champions made the announcement following Montemurro 's appointment Monday to guide the Australian women's national soccer team. Giraldez signed a three-year deal, the club said.
Forbes
a day ago
- General
- Forbes
Joe Montemurro Appointed Head Coach Of Australian Women's National Team
LYON, FRANCE - MAY 16: Olympique Lyon Head Coach Joe Montemurro during the Arkema Premiere Ligue ... More Feminine, Final match between Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain on May 16, 2025 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Eurasia) Former Arsenal and Lyon coach, Joe Montemurro has today been officially confirmed as the 15th full-time head coach of the Australian Women's National Team, known as The Matildas. The 55-year-old Australian will return to his country after spending eight years coaching in Europe, winning league titles in England, Italy and France. However, he failed to take any of those sides to a Champions League final, most disappointingly squandering a first-leg lead with Lyon in this season's semi-final, going out to former side Arsenal. Montemurro stepped down from his position as coach of French champions Lyon on Saturday morning and was in Sydney today for his presentation to the Australian media. He was unveiled in front of the city's iconic Harbour Bridge, standing alongside Football Australia Interim CEO, Heather Garriock and Head of National Teams, Gary Moretti. Garriock said Montemurro 'ticked every box" during Football Australia's recruitment process. The announcement comes at the end of what the federation called 'a global search' for a successor to Swede Tony Gustavsson who led the Matildas to fourth place finishes at the Tokyo Olympics and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was played on home soil in front of record-breaking attendances and television audiences for the Australian nation. BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Tony Gustavsson, Head Coach of Australia, applauds fans after the ... More team's victory through the penalty shootout following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Australia and France at Brisbane Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by) Gustavsson stepped down soon after a disappointing performance for The Matildas at the Paris Olympics in which they failed to progress out of the group stage. Last September, former Matildas coach Tom Serrmani was reappointed national team head coach on an interim basis as Football Australia began their process of recruiting a permanent replacement for Gustavsson. Sermani oversaw a mixed bag of results, a famous 2-1 away to Germany in Duisburg was followed by two home defeats to Brazil. At the start of 2025, the Matildas lost all three games they played at the She Believes Cup in the United States. Montemurro will officially commence his role on 16 June two weeks after this morning's friendly international against Argentina in Canberra. His first matches in charge will be a double-header against Slovenia in Perth followed by another two matches against Panama in July. His first real test will come at the AFC Asian Cup to be played on home soil during the middle of the European club season in March 2026. 'To be appointed head coach of the CommBank Matildas is the honor of a lifetime," he said today. 'This team means so much to so many Australians, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter. I've followed their incredible journey closely and am energised by the passion, resilience, and identity they've built. 'There's a generation of talent coming through and major tournaments on the horizon. My job is to honour the legacy, harness the momentum, and help this team play football that inspires and unites the country.' Speaking at his first press conference, Montemurro outlined the way he wants his Australian side to play. 'We want to control the game. We want to have the ball. We want to be able to control the game even when we don't have the ball." 'You'll see a team that will take risks. You'll see a team that's going to be brave. You'll see a team that's going to excite. I know no other way of playing football, and it's a matter of now instilling that identity.' He warned that his expansive methods would not bear fruit overnight. 'You're not going to see, in the first game I take over, that all of a sudden we're getting 85% possession and we're entering into the attacking third forty times. But the most important thing is to have it ready and understanding for the big tournaments - when it's important." The Matildas have been without their captain, record goalscorer and talismanic leader Sam Kerr since January 2024 as she continues to work towards full fitness after a rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament. Re-integrating Kerr into the team after such a long absence will be one of Montemurro's immediate concerns. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 18: Australian footballer Sam Kerr looks on during the A-League Women's ... More Grand Final between Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners at AAMI Park on May 18, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by) 'My intention is to sit down with all the players,' he said, "even the extended squad, and map out a process - a thorough profiling of what's required to play the brand of football that we want to play. Sam fits into that scenario where we're just going to assess and monitor and see where she's at. Let's get her fit and right, and then we'll have those discussions." It is believed that Montemurro's contract will allow him to lead the team into the next Women's World Cup in 2027 and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. He spoke passionately of his desire to leave a legacy in the country's soccer development. 'I want to be able to leave a situation here, or create a situation here, that every young female player dreams of the opportunities that are going to be given to them in the national team pathway,'
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Women's final abandoned over safety amid Palestine protest, says club
A women's regional cup final was abandoned over "a perceived risk to safety" when fans refused to remove flags and banners showing support for Community were playing Dulwich Hamlet Reserves in the final of the London and South East Women's Regional Football League (L&SERWFL) Trophy, which was hosted at Gallagher Stadium, the home of National League South men's side Maidstone of both sides displayed pro-Palestinian flags and banners for the game on Sunday, amid the ongoing conflict with game kicked off as scheduled but after 20 minutes, with Clapton leading 2-0, the match was paused after a request for the flags and banners to be moved was rejected. Maidstone United issued a statement, external that said "the match was abandoned by league and match officials, in consultation with the stewarding team, for reasons of a perceived risk to safety and with regard to clear stadium regulations and FA guidelines."This was because spectators refused requests to remove non-football related banners and flags."Maidstone United is a football club serving the local community. Ensuring a peaceful and safe environment for spectators in the stadium is a priority. The club does not engage in politics of any kind."Ground regulations typically ban flags and banners which carry political messaging, in line with guidance from governing bodies Fifa and Football Association rules, clubs can be sanctioned if fan behaviour is deemed improper or has the potential to ground regulations refer to the banning of flags and banners if they can be used as weapons, or "interfere with the viewing of spectators", though go on to say spectators should follow FA and National Football League rules and regulations, and not conduct actions which "could reasonably be construed as, constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person".Football's laws of the game prohibit political messaging on kits and equipment, and it is not uncommon for this principal to be applied more widely.A statement from Clapton issued after the game said management at the venue objected to the presence of a Palestine flag among their support and a banner displayed by the Dulwich player Tammy Hymas told BBC Sport: "An official from Maidstone came on the pitch and said the game had to stop, as they no longer consented to the stadium being used while political material was present."The game was stopped. As I understand, there was a suggestion the match could continue behind closed doors, with no fans."As a team we refused that offer, we said we wanted to show solidarity, so we went into the stands and joined the fans."Hymas added the action had the support of Jewish members of the club's fanbase who were present at the Clapton supporter, who wanted to be known as Max, said: "When the match was abandoned, Dulwich Hamlet supporters came over to stand with us, and for a moment, it felt genuinely powerful. I've never seen something like it in football - it was beautiful. As a Jewish supporter of Clapton CFC, I feel proud of what the team and the fans stood for."I had so many emotions. At first I was shocked - it just seemed absurd. We were there to watch football. The players wanted to continue. The fans wanted to continue. The responsibility lies with the stadium - and I'll be asking for my money back."After an announcement at Gallagher Stadium saying the match was abandoned, a joint protest took place outside the stadium with both Dulwich and Clapton Community, which describes itself as "a members-owned, members-run football club", said in a statement, external that "32 women were denied the opportunity to play the L&SERWFL Trophy final".It said players and fans were "united in their support and concern for Palestinians" and added: "Showing that support with a flag or banner is no reason to abandon a cup final."Dulwich Hamlet chairman Ben Clasper said in a statement, external that his club had "seen no evidence that our fans have behaved in any way other than the peaceful and dignified manner that we would expect from them, in accordance with the values of our club and that the banners on display were not new, are not in breach of any laws or rules and have been to many games before this final".He added: "We are very disappointed that the L&SERWFL Trophy final has ended in this fashion, and we look forward to a full explanation as to how this was allowed to happen."The London FA told BBC Sport it was "gathering all relevant information and working closely with the appropriate parties".It added: "As this matter is ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time."
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Lionesses may have found a new star ahead of Euro 2025
England defeated Portugal 6-0 in a confidence-boosting home performance, with Aggie Beever-Jones scoring a first-half hat-trick on her first Wembley start. Beever-Jones, the Women's PFA Young Player of the Year, seized her opportunity, displaying the hunger to secure her place for Euro 2025, following Sarina Wiegman 's instructions to "destroy them." Young players like Beever-Jones (21), Grace Clinton (22), and Jess Park (23) are set to play important roles in the upcoming Euros, with Hannah Hampton (24) already England's No. 1. Lauren Hemp made her first appearance of the year after recovering from a knee injury, while Lucy Bronze contributed with a goal and an assist; Leah Williamson marshalled the defence effectively. Despite Portugal's poor performance, England's dominant display, marked by ruthless attacking and a fresh energy, has given Sarina Wiegman selection headaches ahead of the Euros, with potential forward options including Alessia Russo, Lauren James, and Chloe Kelly.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Eni Aluko snubbed by ITV for first Lionesses match since Ian Wright scandal
Eni Aluko has been snubbed by ITV bosses for the Lionesses' first match since she accused Ian Wright of 'blocking' opportunities for female pundits in the women's game. Aluko appeared on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour in April and was met with a torrent of criticism when she pointed the finger at fellow former footballer turned pundit Wright, claiming he 'should be aware' of the space he occupies in women's football coverage as a man. Many immediately leapt to the defence of Wright, with the former Arsenal striker recognised for his long-term staunch advocacy of the women's game. Aluko went on to apologise for her comments, which Wright said he 'couldn't accept'. She has since pulled out of a co-presenting role for the Women's Football Awards, which took place on May 1, and will now not be part of ITV's coverage for England's game with Portugal on Friday, with Anita Asanta and former Spain midfielder Vicky Losada opted as pundits by the broadcaster. Aluko is currently embroiled in a libel case against ex-Newcastle and Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, but saw attention deflected away from that when she spoke misguidedly against her colleague. 'I've worked with Ian a long time and, you know, I think he's a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he's aware of just how much he's doing in the women's game. I think he should be aware of that,' Aluko said. 'The fact of the matter is, as I said, there is a limited amount of spaces available. If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity in the men's game for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women's game, it's a free for all.'But that's not the case. I can't dominate the men's game in the way that, you know, you used Ian as an example.' She later admitted her wrongdoing but did not receive the reaction she was hoping for from Wright, who said on Insatgram: 'I've got to say, I'm very disappointed about what Eni has said, she knows how I've helped her, supported her publicly, and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management. 'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it. But I also want to move on.' Wright is hailed in the women's football community, founding and donating to the Ian Wright Coaching Fund to increase the number of female coaches in grassroots football; paying for Stoke City player Kayleigh McDonald's rehab from an ACL injury, as revealed by The Telegraph; and advocating for girls to have equal opportunities with boys to play football in school. He has also only covered exactly one WSL game in the league's history, and 11 Lionesses games in the past two seasons.
