Government urged to show “more respect” for women’s football

The Government should be putting as much effort into a safe resumption of women’s football as it has into the Premier League’s Project Restart, according to the Shadow Minister for Sport.

While the top clubs in men’s football have a provisional date to return to action later this month, there has been no such guidance for the women’s game.

The Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship seasons were cancelled by the Football Association last month with no decision yet on how the title, European places as well as relegation and promotion will be decided.

Labour’s Alison McGovern told talkSPORT 2, “The women’s game needs much more respect than it’s getting at the moment, certainly organisationally, including from government.”

She added: “Look at the time and effort and media attention that the government has drawn to Project Restart for the Premier League. Has there been anything like that level of attention and effort from government, never mind the FA, on the women’s game? I don’t think so.”

McGovern confirmed she would be speaking directly to the FA later this week to address her concerns. With the confirmation of free-to-air Premier League games on television following the restart, she wants similar exposure for female football: “If we could put that level of effort into finding a way forward for the women’s game, we might get somewhere.”

The Women’s FA Cup could represent an opportunity to keep the game going over the summer. No decision has yet been made on whether this year’s competition will be completed having reached the quarter-final stage.