Leah Williamson gives guarded support for Premier League takeover of WSL

Arsenal star Leah Williamson admits a proposed takeover of the Women's Super League by the Premier League could 'potentially' be good for professional women's football but only if it leads to long-term growth of the game. 

The Premier League has been in discussions with the Football Association over taking control of the WSL and Women's Championship although any decision has been delayed until 2021 at the earliest.

“I do think that something needs to change to propel us forwards. We don’t want a short-term fix, we want something that’s secure and stable and going to last for the next generation of women’s footballers,” Williamson told the Evening Standard.

“The FA did a great job and set goals about increasing participation. Now it has to be external — it’s no secret that most of the money in sport comes from sponsorship and marketing. We are missing external investors and the TV rights that men’s sport thrive off.”

The Lionesses star is also concerned over the lack of exposure for women's football during lockdown. Arsenal were third in the WSL when the season was cancelled in March and will have their first competitive match in nearly six months when they play Paris St Germain in the rescheduled Champions League quarter-finals on 22 August. 

“For the past few months it has felt as if women’s football doesn’t exist, and that is a problem. It’s been a struggle,” she added. “The fact that we are so easily cast aside when circumstances get tough is an issue.”