The FA has released a statement in regard to the decision to end the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.
The FA statement regarding the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season is published in full here:
“The FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has today confirmed the decision to end the 2019/20 season for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship, with immediate effect.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has been in regular consultation with clubs and key stakeholders from across both leagues to identify the most suitable and appropriate way to conclude the 2019/20 season, and to give clubs and players the clarity and support they need at this time.
“Following overwhelming feedback from the clubs, the decision to bring an end to the 2019/20 season was made in the best interest of the women’s game. This will also enable clubs, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board and The FA to plan, prepare and focus on next season when football returns for the 2020/21 campaign.
“Supporting the welfare of the clubs and players will continue to be our primary concern throughout this process, which also involved a robust and thorough examination of the logistical, operational and financial challenges that the game currently faces.
“Following full and thorough consultation with the clubs, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has discussed various recommendations which will be sent to The FA Board to determine the most appropriate sporting outcome for the 2019/20 season. This will include identifying the 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.
“We are not in a position to comment further until the FA Board has had sufficient time to consider all of the recommendations and options”
One club insider fears for the future of the Women’s professional game.
The Women’s Super League is largely funded by the richer men’s teams but this funding could soon dry up as a financial crisis engulfs football in general around the globe.
West Ham invests in excess of £1.5m per year to fund their women’s team run by owner’s son Jack Sullivan but whether they can continue to do that next season remains to be seen.
Women’s professional football in the UK is not financially sustainable and without generous funding from parent men clubs, funded by TV and match day revenue, they will simply cease to exist.