Tag Archives: Football

What happens next to European football across top five leagues?

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Football authorities across the world are struggling with how to resolve the season after virtually all play was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here we examine what European countries are doing to bring the 2019-20 season to a close.

France

France has led Europe as the first out of the top 5 leagues to void the 2019/2020 Football season.

French President Emmanuel Macron went on to encourage other European countries to follow suit.

This move means that BEIN sports, which covers a wide percentage of football in France would get a huge payday out of this as their TV contract could not be completed and also, sponsors may also have to collect back the money paid to clubs they have deals with.

This has left many disappointed with the decision as countries like the United Kingdom are still considering how the season can be finished behind closed doors.

On a lighter note, a Twitter user had some humour to share with someone quite against the proceedings with football in France.

Fans from the UK seemed to handle this news well with many hoping Liverpool would enjoy the same privileges as PSG who went on to be crowned champions of Ligue 1, much to the distaste of rival fans such as fans of 5thplaced Manchester United.

United Kingdom

The Premier League has shown no signs of slowing down as they have passed updated fixture schedules to clubs so as to reinstate normal training in the near future.

They predict football could be back as soon as June 8 and training would begin on May 18 to work towards the aforementioned date.

This schedule could hinge on whether or not Prime Minister Boris Johnson extends the lockdown or not.

Germany

In Germany, the Bundesliga’s return has been delayed by the government. They had previously hoped to make a return on May 9, although this can no longer be achievable but will be reconsidered as soon as next week.

Spain

In Spain, the Spanish La Liga are taking baby steps towards a potential return to action.

The focus all around Europe at the moment is on how clubs can at least complete their domestic seasons so as to prevent losing out on several streams of revenue which have been cut short due to the current global pandemic and it’s resulting lockdown measures.

In essence, the Spanish La Liga are aiming to be back in action mid-June with 11 games still to go.

Players are due to start testing for Covid-19 between May 5 and May 7.

Italy

Italy was the first country in Europe to really feel the effect of this pandemic with a colossal amount of people from all age groups dying and they were also one of the first in Europe to stop football and go into a full and strict lockdown with their streets near empty at all periods.

Serie A is expected to return at the earliest on June 10 but the players will begin individual training as soon as May 4.

Training centres at football clubs will reopen on May 18 and the main reason they are ensuring their season goes on is because of a quote from Italian Football Federation (IFF) President Gabriele Gravina who told Goal.com that a continued lockdown would be disastrous for the finances of football in the country.

Therefore, as it is clear that these top European footballing countries have no plans to void their seasons, football may be back by the start of June.

(image source: courtesy of Pexels)

Who will win the Premier League?

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After 37 matches, 39 weeks, and a total of 1,042 points won between 20 teams, the 2018/19 season of the Premier League is about to come to an end.

But who will lift the trophy?

Luckily there isn’t a long wait, with the final matches taking place in two days time. But football fans will be paying attention to two teams in particular.

Manchester City are currently at the top of the table, but Liverpool are just one point behind them. All City needs to do is draw or win their game against Brighton & Hove Albion to stay on top, but Liverpool have to win against the Wolverhampton Wanderers to keep their hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time alive.

Neither team have lost any of their last five matches, both being on top form in the final stages of the season. But with Liverpool fresh from their win against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, they might have the momentum needed to win their final match.

WNOL asked football fans in London who they thought would finish at the top, and everyone backed Manchester City.

“I think City will win, I want Liverpool but city are in form”, says North Londoner Alexander.

Charlotte agrees. “City because they’re not going to lose their last game”.

“They have effectively a one-win advantage over Liverpool, and even if Liverpool win at Wolves this weekend I really can’t see City losing or drawing at Brighton” says Birmingham-born Laura.

Jody, from Essex, also thinks the Manchester team have it in the bag “because they are better”.

Meanwhile, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all fighting for a place in the top 4 to compete in the Champions League next season.

Both Chelsea and Arsenal are on form after winning their semi-finals on Thursday to form an all-England Europa League final.

Chelsea and Tottenham currently hold third and fourth spot respectively with 71 and 70 points, but with only one point between the two teams, and three points between Tottenham and Arsenal, anything could change by the time the whistle blows on Sunday.

Featured image courtesy of Nathan Rogers from Unsplash

Women in football: there’s still a long way to go

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With the women’s FA Cup Final taking place tomorrow aftertoon, and being broadcast by BBC One from Wembley Stadium for the fourth year in a row, it’s clear that female football has come a long way. But with many people still unaware of the match, and not invested in women’s competitions, it seems they’re not quite as equal as their male’s counterparts.

WNOL spoke to the University of Westminster male football captain, Bryan Ijeh, about what needs to be done to improve coverage of women’s football matches.

“I think that footballing authorities have not been giving enough support to the women’s game. The lack of media coverage has made the women’s game less attractive to invest in as a sponsor, which is unlike the men’s game who have huge T.V and media deals in place.”

The BBC cover most of the women’s game, including the FA Cup and the World Cup, which is taking place in France this June.

 

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The women’s FA Cup Final will be held at Wembley Stadium for the fifth year in a row

“If there is a proper effort made to put forth women’s football just as much as it is done with the men’s game it will certainly increase its following. If they are portrayed in the same manner with endorsement deals and publicity, people should automatically take more of an interest” Ijeh says.

More and more female players are becoming household names, such as Lucy Bronze and Steph Houghton MBE, who captains Manchester City and is playing in tomorrow afternoon’s final. But they are far from the likes of Kane, Sterling, and Alli, who everyone knows by their surname.

The 2015 women’s World Cup was a big success in putting women’s football on the map, with many Brits watching England’s matches in Canada four years ago. And with a record number of spectators expected to watch the FA Cup Final on Saturday, the interest seems to be on the rise.

“The seeds are being planted and now it is crucial that the footballing authorities and all those involved keep pushing for more equality in the sport”, Ijeh explains.

Women’s FA Cup Final 2019: everything you need to know

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With the big match only a day away, here’s everything you need to know so you’re ready for one of the biggest matches of the year.

Manchester city

Infographic created by Alysia Georgiades

When is it?

The Final kick-off is at 5:30pm on Saturday 4th May.

Where can I watch it?

BBC One are broadcasting the match live from 17:10, but you can also buy tickets for the event here or visit a London pub to catch the game.

What teams are playing?

Manchester City Women are playing against West Ham United Women.

Manchester City Women beat Chelsea Women 1-0 in the semi final in April, whilst West Ham United Women tied 1-1 with Reading Women, but beat the opposition on penalites 4-3.

Manchester City won their first title back in 2017, and are looking to gain their second tomorrow, whilst West Ham United are the underdogs having never appeared in the final. Will they be able to hold their nerve for their maiden trophy?

Where are they playing?

At Wembley Stadium, which has hosted the women’s final since 2015. A record number of spectators are expecting to show their support, after more than 45,000 attend last year’s match.

Who are the captains?

Steph Houghton MBE captains Manchester City, and Gilly Flaherty is heading West Ham United.

Houghton joined Manchester City on January 1st 2014, and was a key player for England’s World Cup qualification, where she also has the role of captain.

Gilly Flaherty has previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea in her career, with her having an important role on the latter’s team, helping them lift the FA Cup trophy in 2015. She was also Chelsea’s vice-captain, and has played for England nine times in four years.

Who are the teams’ managers?

Matt Beard is the manager of West Ham United Women, appointed back in June 2018. The 41 year old has previously managed Liverpool to back-to-back Women’s Super League One titles in 2013 and 2014, and has recently extended his contract with the Hammers for the 2019-20 season.

The manager of Manchester City Women has been Nick Cushing since November 2013. He led them to their FA Cup title in 2017, and has picked up four other titles in two other competitions. He has also helped them reach the Champions League semi-finals two years in a row, whilst his team is also sitting in second place in the Women’s Super League table after losing no matches this season.

Featured image courtesy of maxopt from Pixabay

WNOL Sport profiles Cray Wanderers Football Club

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Formed in 1860, Cray Wanderers are the oldest football club in London and the second oldest in the world. Currently sitting second bottom in the Ryman League Division One North table, the club look to be struggling. But they have a bright future ahead of them with a new stadium planned and Vice-Chairman David Francis is an integral part to the proposal. We spoke to Francis as well as club press officer Mark Hunt when The Wands hosted Ramsgate in the Kent Senior Cup.

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