Spain, England, Germany to represent Europe at FIFA U-17 Women's WC in India; ATK Mohun Bagan Worried About Training Facilities in Goa during ISL and More (Football Round-Up)
The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2021 will take place from February 17 to March 7 2021 in India.
The UEFA announced that England, Germany and Spain will represent Europe in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2021 in India. The final round of UEFA U-17 Women's Championship -- which would have acted as a qualifier -- was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"After consultation with UEFA's 55 member associations, the UEFA Executive Committee has today taken several decisions regarding youth national team competitions considering the current COVID-19 situation across Europe," UEFA announced in a statement.
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The three teams have the highest UEFA ranking and are the confirmed participants in the World Cup. The organisers confirmed the same on Twitter, "UEFA have confirmed that England, Germany and Spain will represent Europe in the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup India 2021.”
Seven teams have booked spots for the 16-team tournament -- England, Germany and Spain joined India, Korea DPR, Japan and New Zealand. The other nine teams -- from the various zones (continents) -- will be confirmed either after the respective qualifying tournaments or by current ranking. The World Cup will take place from February 17 to March 7, 2021.
ATK-MB Sweat Over Training Facilities
ATK-Mohun Bagan FC assistant coach Sanjoy Sen raised concerns regarding the training facilities in the next Indian Super League (ISL), which will be staged without spectators in Goa.
The league is scheduled to take place from November to March in a bio-secure environment with players going through multiple tests, and will be expected to follow government safety protocols.
“Everyone knows that it will be held in one venue this season and it will be challenging for the coaching staff,” the ATK-Mohun Bagan assistant coach said in an online session on ‘Sports and COVID’ that was organised by JIS Group.
Sen said the team is used to training at the Salt Lake Stadium and would have to do away with that this season.
Nagelsmann Relishes Facing Ex Mentor
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann says he is very excited to meet former mentor and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Thomas Tuchel in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after his side won against Atletico Madrid.
Leipzig booked a semifinal berth in the special knock-out format tournament after US midfielder Tyler Adams scored in the 88th-minute.
Leipzig will now play PSG next Tuesday in Lisbon for a spot in the final that will take place on 23 August.
"They are a top team with a top trainer," said the 33-year-old Nagelsmann.
"I have often played (as a coach) against him (Tuchel) but rarely won.
"That should change now. I would also be satisfied with a bad game if we win," Nagelsmann added.
Dallas Condemn Racist Comments
FC Dallas owners condemned the "repulsive and unacceptable" racist comments and death threats that were hurled towards defender Reggie Cannon.
Cannon called out fans who were found booing FC Dallas and Nashville players when they took the knee before the Major League Soccer (MLS) match.
"There is no place in our sport, or in our country, for the kind of horrific vitriol Reggie has had to endure," FC Dallas said in a statement.
"Violent threats are never warranted."
Around 3,000 fans were present as spectators in the Toyota Stadium and some boos could be heard as players knelt during the national anthem in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Cannon said afterwards that the boos were "disgusting" and "disgraceful".
"We want to be clear: we love and support Reggie Cannon," FC chairman Clark Hunt and president Dan Hunt said.
Wiegman to Succeed Neville
Netherlands women's team manager Sarina Wiegman will succeed Phil Neville as England women’s team head coach in September 2021.
The former Netherlands midfielder has signed a four-year deal with England.
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Wiegman, 50, is going to take charge after she is finished with her duty of overseeing the Netherlands in the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
"Sarina was our number one choice," said Baroness Campbell, the Football Association's director of women's football.
Neville’s contract runs till July 2021, and the Olympics will take place from 23 July to 8 August.
"England is the cradle of football and I'm very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team," said Wiegman.
Wiegman's first major tournament in charge of the Lionesses will be the Women's Euro 2021 on home turf. The tournament was postponed to July 2022.
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