England withdraw from SheBelieves Cup

Doubts over the spread of coronavirus have  forced England to withdraw from the 2021 SheBelieves Cup in the USA.

The Lionesses have played in the annual competition every year since its inception in 2016 and won the cup in 2019. 

The four-team invitational event is usually held in February and March but concerns over travel logistics and potential health risks have worried the Football Association. 

The FA said the decision was made, "Based on existing uncertainties around the future trend of the Covid-19 pandemic".

England's autumn international fixtures are still being finalised. An FA statement added: "The clear focus for our technical team will be to deliver an international fixture programme which provides the best possible performance outcomes for the Lionesses as we begin a crucial three-year period building to the home Uefa European Championship in 2022 and Fifa Women's World Cup in 2023."