Ha’way the Lasses? Haddaway says the FA

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It is not such a shock that women’s football in England is to have a super league trimmed to eight clubs.

What are shocking and, if true, an utter disgrace, are reports that the current leaders of the women’s Premier division, Sunderland, have been excluded from this elite.

The FA has been responsible for plenty of crass decision-making over the years. This is not just crass but supremely unjust.

The chairman of the Sunderland ladies, Maurice Alderson, has been told of the decision, which he describes as a “kick in the teeth”, according to a report in The Guardian.

He pointed out that a strong bid was assembled with help from Sunderland AFC. As well as being current league leaders, albeit having played more games than the clubs closest behind them, Arsenal and Doncaster Belles, Sunderland – (pictured last season, by courtesy of Sunderland WFC) -reached last season’s FA Cup final and have nine current internationals at various age levels.

The Sunderland Echo says the club was told the bid had failed on commercial and marketing grounds. The Guardian was unable to elicit a meaningful comment from the FA beyond an assertion that the adjudication stage of the application process was not yet complete.

Either the FA is, er, being economical with the truth or Mr Alderson is somehow mistaken in stating that the club has not only been excluded – but has been told of the decision.

The FA deserves a sincere apology if the reports turn out to be incorrect – but owes the Sunderland, North East (Newcastle ladies were also excluded) an abject apology of its own if really has taken a decision of staggering injustice.

Colin Randall

10 thoughts on “Ha’way the Lasses? Haddaway says the FA”

  1. Conspiracy theorists will like this… the Petition has been rejected, again. I’d resubmitted it to remove web links & direct references to the FA, so pitching it more as a sexual equality issue.

    And have just received this email:

    ” Hi,

    I’m sorry to inform you that your petition has been rejected
    again.

    Your petition was classed as being in the following categories:

    * Outside the remit or powers of the Prime Minister and
    Government

    Your petition will now appear in the list of rejected
    petitions.

    Your petition reads:

    We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to: ‘ensure that
    the mens’ and womens’ football leagues are managed equitably.’

    Sunderland Womens Football Club have reportedly been excluded
    from next season’s eight team Premier League on commercial and
    marketing grounds.

    The Guardian quotes Chairman of Sunderland WFC, Maurice
    Alderson, who has been told of the decision, which he describes
    as a “kick in the teeth”.

    The Club is presently leading the Womens Premier League,
    includes 9 internationals amongst its players, and has the
    support of Sunderland AFC.

    It is inconceivable that a similar exclusion of a leading team
    from the mens Premier League would be allowed. To treat the
    womens game in this way is bad for all football.”

    It doesn’t have to end here: I’m astonished that The FA may have behaved in this way… here ” FootballUnited we care hugely about all levels of the game: we’ll gladly put together our own petition on this, if you like?

  2. For the FA to be economical with the truth,then hide behind closed doors is not unusual.They should have to explain the reason for there decisions to the the people who elect them and provide the finances for their nice llittle club.

  3. Nah, Sobs, it’s ALL about commercial and marketing. Still, who would expect ANYTHING sensible to come from the FA? They are talking of having the Trophy and Vase Finals on the same day after this season. Never mind the fans, let’s look at the marketing and commercial interests.

  4. my mate’s daughter plays for the ladies, and he told me that one of the criteria for inclusion was that they HAD to have a number (two or three, not sure) of players earning in excess of a certain amount – a decent wage in the normal world. The ladies didn’t like this, as you can imagine, and offered to pool this money and share it equally around the squad. No can do, said the FA. Perhaps we’re a bit too far north? I suspect Chelsea Ladies would have fared better had they been bottom of the league. Surely it’s about football, not commercial and marketing?

  5. The following Petition has been submitted to the Number 10 site: their T&Cs say it should be live in 5 days (if approved)

    We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to urge that the Football Association are equitable in their treatment of mens’ and womens’ football leagues

    Sunderland Womens Football Club have been excluded from next season’s eight team Premier League, by The FA, reportedly* on commercial and marketing grounds.

    According to a report in The Guardian Chairman of the Sunderland WFC, Maurice Alderson, has been told of the decision, which he describes as a “kick in the teeth”.**

    The Club is presently leading the Womens Premier League*** includes 9 internationals amongst its players, and has the support of Sunderland AFC.

    It is inconceivable that The FA would contemplate a similar exclusion in the mens Premier League. To treat the womens game in this way is bad for all football.

    * by the Sunderland Echo ** Quoted by Salut Sunderland blog http://bit.ly/SunderlandWFCexclusion *** on 17/2/2010 http://bit.ly/SunderlandWFCLeague

  6. I completely agree. Sunderland has done well in recent seasons and continues to be a strong contender for the top-level titles. If, as reported, the issue lies with ‘commercial and marketing’ then surely the FA should be able to provide more specifics before it leaks out the news of their rejection?

    As Maurice says… yet another kick in the teeth.

    Polly, Girls in Football

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