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Equal rights? Re-start for men but women’s game must wait

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So much for equality between the men’s and women’s games in this country as the Football Association hints pretty heavily the Women’s season is heading for the knackers yard.

The FA appears to have done nothing to intervene in the decision to pursue the Premier League season yet in this statement make it clear – seemingly – there will be significant challenges in completing the women’s 2019/20 season.

They add that they are are continuing to consult with the clubs on the possibility of terminating the campaign  and, in the event it is decided that this appears to be the only realistic way forward, to seek views on the most appropriate sporting outcome for the season.

Notice how cutely they avoid the R word – relegation in this case – which during talks to re-start the men’s game they insisted would take place.

All of this ignores that the virus affects men far worse than women as demonstrated in this link https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/07/coronavirus-hits-men-harder-evidence-risk

Mind you there are no TV games and no money involved so presumably that’s alright then!

Here’s the The FA  statement in regard to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League as it appears on the Hammers website at www.whufc.com

The FA has been in regular consultation with clubs and key stakeholders from the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our primary concern has always been for the welfare of the clubs and players; and working collaboratively to identify the most suitable and appropriate way to return to football.

Every possible scenario has been meticulously analysed and evaluated in order to find a solution to meet the unique demands of the women’s game. This includes a detailed examination of the financial, logistical and operational challenges that we face during this pandemic.

Although we understand that it will not be possible to find a solution that will work for every club and every player, it is our duty to help support the clubs through these unprecedented times.

Following an assessment of the protocols required to return to football and feedback from clubs, which is crucial to any decision-making process, it is clear that there will be significant challenges in completing the 2019/20 season.

We are continuing to consult with the clubs on the possibility of terminating the 2019/20 season and, in the event it is decided that this appears to be the only realistic way forward, to seek views on the most appropriate sporting outcome for the season. This includes identifying entries for the 2020/21 UEFA Women’s Champions League, which would be based on sporting merit from the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.

Our overriding ambition is to give the clubs, players and stakeholders in the game the support and clarity they need during these challenging circumstances, and to help and enable women’s football to continue to thrive in the future.

We are not in a position to comment further during this ongoing consultation process.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon