England fans outraged after Agyemang omitted from Royal Family photo
The 19-year-old Agyemang, who is Black, saved England at the brink with late goals in both their narrow quarter-final win over Sweden and semi-final victory over Italy.
'I think that would never, ever be intentional,' England coach Sarina Wiegman said, when asked about the omission in Saturday's pre-game press conference. 'I think the message from the Royal Family is that they really, really support us, and we really appreciate that. It's unfortunate that (Agyemang) is not on the picture, but there's all good intentions.'
The Royal Family posted their congratulations on reaching the Euro final on several social media platforms.
'Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated,' the message said. 'Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday.
'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more.'
The Royal Family did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the post.
It includes a photo of England's starting 11 for a game earlier in the tournament and includes Jess Carter, who announced earlier in the tournament that she was coming off of social media after receiving racist abuse. The post also includes several other players in action.
The post was met with an outcry from many fans on social media.
'Black women aren't invisible. Let's stop erasing them,' Miriam Walker-Khan, the founder of Brown Girl Sport, wrote on X.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- The Hindu
England fans outraged after Agyemang omitted from Royal Family photo
England's Royal Family is under fire from Lioness fans after a good luck message that included photos of several players was missing young star Michelle Agyemang. The 19-year-old Agyemang, who is Black, saved England at the brink with late goals in both their narrow quarter-final win over Sweden and semi-final victory over Italy. 'I think that would never, ever be intentional,' England coach Sarina Wiegman said, when asked about the omission in Saturday's pre-game press conference. 'I think the message from the Royal Family is that they really, really support us, and we really appreciate that. It's unfortunate that (Agyemang) is not on the picture, but there's all good intentions.' The Royal Family posted their congratulations on reaching the Euro final on several social media platforms. 'Your journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable, showcasing the skill, determination (and test of nerve!) for which your team is so rightly celebrated,' the message said. 'Knowing the Lionesses' fighting spirit, I suspect we are in for another thrilling encounter on Sunday. 'Your achievements continue to inspire countless girls and women across the nation, proving once again that with dedication and teamwork, anything is possible. Good luck, England. May you roar to victory once more.' The Royal Family did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the post. It includes a photo of England's starting 11 for a game earlier in the tournament and includes Jess Carter, who announced earlier in the tournament that she was coming off of social media after receiving racist abuse. The post also includes several other players in action. The post was met with an outcry from many fans on social media. 'Black women aren't invisible. Let's stop erasing them,' Miriam Walker-Khan, the founder of Brown Girl Sport, wrote on X.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
Soccer: England's Michelle Agyemang leads youthful charge at Women's Euros
Synopsis Michelle Agyemang, once a Wembley ball girl, now stars for England, scoring crucial goals in the Women's European Championship. Her youthful energy and impactful performances have propelled England to the final against Spain. Alongside Agyemang, other young talents like Signe Gaupset and Smilla Vallotto are making their mark, benefiting from the guidance of experienced teammates. Reuters In a few short years, striker Michelle Agyemang has gone from being a ball girl at Wembley to scoring vital goals for England that will see them contest the Women's European Championship final on Sunday as she leads the charge for young players in Switzerland. The 19-year-old came off the bench to score two crucial equalisers in the knockout stage against Sweden and Italy that helped them into the decider against Spain, playing with a youthful freedom and swagger that has lit up the competition. "What a tournament from Michelle, especially coming in with the seniors just a couple of months ago ... what a great player, what a bright future she's got," England defender Lucy Bronze said. "She's a little bit of the unknown and she brings something different ... I think it gives her a lot of confidence and the team give her a lot of freedom," Bronze added. Unburdened by expectations, young players like Agyemang may be able to play freely but there is still pressure, with Norway's Signe Gaupset telling Reuters that playing with the likes of Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen took some getting used to. "They were like my idols when I was young, and it's really cool to play with them now in the national team and look up to them. What they are doing is so great, (showing us) how to be a professional athlete, everything they are doing to be as good as possible, it's great," Gaupset said. The 20-year-old Gaupset was one of the breakout stars in the group stage, scoring two goals and creating two more as her side beat Iceland in their final group game that catapulted her into the starting team for their quarter-final against Italy, which they lost by a last-minute goal. Despite being only 21, Switzerland's Smilla Vallotto has already amassed 27 caps for her country, most of them in the midfield engine room, where she has had plenty of support from more senior players. "Lia Waelti means a lot to me, she helps me both on and off the field, she is always there to discuss different situations, but also to just talk about life. She is 100% someone who has been important to me in this championship," she told Reuters. Vallotto, who is making a move from Swedish club Hammarby to German side VfL Wolfsburg, said she had learned a lot over the course of her first major tournament. "The international level of football is a bit different than playing in Hammarby, but I've had a very good season in Sweden and I've played in Europe, so I feel very comfortable there," she said. Whether she starts Sunday's final up front or on the bench, Agyemang will enjoy similar support in the England squad. "I think she's quality. I think what she brings, she's a nightmare to play against," England and Arsenal defender Leah Williamson said. "I'm glad she's my teammate at club and country. She deserves her flowers. I hope she gets them ... I hope she's ready to go at the weekend."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Soccer-Toone says all calm in Lionesses camp ahead Euro 2025 final clash with Spain
By Lori Ewing HT Image ZURICH, July 25 (Reuters) - England midfielder Ella Toone knows millions of people in the nation will be watching when the holders take the pitch against world champions Spain in Sunday's Euro 2025 final, but she said the team are not feeling the pressure. England will be contesting their third successive major showpiece, squeaking into the decider in Basel after two edge-of-your-seat victories, but Toone said all is calm in the Lionesses camp. "The pressure is just the stuff that we put on ourselves," the 25-year-old said at the team's base camp on Friday. "We said that we wanted to make the nation proud, and I think we've done that already. We've reached a final for the third time in a row, and that's something that we can hold our heads high (about) and we should be proud of that. "We know that no matter what we do, we're always inspiring the next generation of young girls and boys starting out in their journey. (But) no pressure from our side." Toone hopes Sunday will be without the drama of their victories over Sweden, in the quarter-final, and Italy in the semi, with teenager Michelle Agyemang scoring at the death to rescue them from the brink in both. "It's mad, I'm not all for the drama but we've deffo made it dramatic," she said at England's base camp on Friday. "Sometimes football doesn't happen how you want it to, it would be lovely to win in 90 minutes, but we've never given up, we've probably given the fans at home heart attacks, but we've never given up. "I think we've almost killed (coach Sarina Wiegman) twice this tournament, she's said we have aged her," she added laughing. Wiegman is the first coach in either the men's or women's game to coach in five consecutive major tournament finals, including two with her native Netherlands before England hired her 2021. "When we go out on the pitch we fight for each other but also her, the staff and the fans watching," Toone said. Defender Lucy Bronze, who fired home what would be England's winning penalty in their shootout against Sweden, will break Jill Scott's record of 35 major tournament appearances by an England player, men or women. "She is an absolute beast," Toone said of the 33-year-old Bronze. "She's the oldest player in the squad and has just played two back-to-back 120 minutes. All the players look up to her. She's someone who you listen to when she talks and when she steps out on the pitch she has your back. "She's unbelievable - another great tournament for us. For a lot of people making one appearance at a major tournament is an achievement." Toone also heaped praise on England's youngest player Agyemang. Toone's contribution to England's 2022 Euro victory made her a fan favourite, and she was asked how the 19-year-old forward will similarly handle her newfound fame. "(Agyemang) might get papped eating a pasty like I did. I'll have to warn her about that," Toone said with a laugh. "It's mad. I'd think she is 30 years old, she's so mature and humble. She's come into the tournament with freedom, without a worry or care. She's been amazing for us, turned up in big moments when we needed her." (Reporting by Lori Ewing, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
