Latest news with #EuropeanChampionship
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
England footballers to lose major part of Euro 2025 prize money post-final win
England clinched their second European Championship title in three years after defeating Spain in Sunday's final. However, a significant portion of their prize money could be deducted due to the tax payable on their earnings. The Lionesses had to rally from behind in the Euro 2025 final after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the first half. Alessia Russo levelled the score just before the hour mark, pushing the match into extra time and eventually penalties. Lionesses' goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved two penalties in the shootout, with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive penalty that sent England fans into raptures. Prior to the tournament, UEFA announced a record £34million in prize money available to the 16 competing nations. A whopping £4.4m was set aside for the champions, including performance bonuses, with participating teams obliged to distribute between 30 per cent and 40 per cent of their prize money among the players, reports the Express. According to The Guardian, the Lionesses agreed on a bonus structure with the FA ahead of Euro 2025, which would see England stars collectively receive a payout of £1.75m if they won the trophy. Following England's victory, leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg, revealed that over three quarters of a million pounds could be deducted from the Lionesses' prize fund and paid to HMRC. England Lionesses stars will be forced to give up a large chunk of their Euro 2025 prize money (Image: GETTY) Robert Salter, a director at the firm, commented: "The Lionesses will be thrilled with their victory at Euro 2025 for what it symbolises and the hard work that went into achieving it. "However, they will face a substantial tax bill to HMRC on their prize money, with a combined total tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) liability of approximately £788,900 for the entire team. "Despite the Lionesses not earning as much as their male counterparts, the average bonuses per player of £73,000 each will ensure that all squad members are subject to an effective marginal tax rate of 47 per cent - 45 per cent income tax and 2 per cent NIC on their income above the £125,140 per annum threshold, meaning they could be paying around £34,300 each in tax." He further noted: "In addition to the tax and NIC payable on the winning bonuses by the players personally, the FA should be liable to employers' NIC on the prize bonuses, which will cost the FA roughly £255,000 more. "Many players are also earning significant amounts through marketing, appearance fees and image rights, which are also taxable. "Their earnings from these sources are likely to surge considerably over the coming months given their success and the ongoing rise in the profile of women's football, meaning HMRC will be reaping even more tax 'wins' in the future."
Rhyl Journal
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. Proud 🥹 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' England showed incredible defiance throughout the tournament, from bouncing back from their opening defeat to France and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude in the knockout stages. They trailed 2-0 in the quarters to Sweden and 1-0 to Italy in the semis as well as going behind in the showpiece against Spain only to battle back to make sure they kept the trophy they won three years ago. Williamson told the crowd: 'There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. 'But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise.' It was a third consecutive European Championship crown for England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. She said: 'It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent. 'There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of.' Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was so instrumental in keeping Spain at bay in a 1-1 draw as well as the 3-1 final shootout success. Asked what she was thinking ahead of penalties, she replied: 'Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box.' She added: 'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. 'I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.' Teenager Michelle Agyemang was named best young player of the tournament after scoring late levellers in England's quarter-final against Sweden and then Italy in the semis. All for this moment! ❤️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The 19-year-old said: 'I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.' The talismanic Lucy Bronze added: 'This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible.' Asked how this party compared to three years ago, Bronze replied: 'I don't remember.'
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Olympic triathlete Cassandre Beaugrand in images
Cassandre Beaugrand is a triathlete from France. She holds the honor of being the only female to have won the the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championship. Quite the accomplishment for the most taxing of events. She arrived on the scene in France early as a teen when she set national marks as a teen in cross country as a Youth Champion. Those events took place in 2013 and 2014. From there, it has been great performance after great performance. Beaugrand has more than 326,000 Instagram followers, which is excellent for an athlete who participates in an event that isn't exactly on everyone's radar. Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand Cassandre Beaugrand
Leader Live
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Wednesday's briefing: Lionesses celebrate and Trafford rejoins Man City
Transfers continue to dominate the landscape with Manchester City bringing back a former academy graduate and speculation surrounding Newcastle's Alexander Isak showing no signs of abating. We're not done yet – Williamson An emotional Leah Williamson insisted 'this story is not done yet' as England's celebrations following their Euro 2025 triumph continued in central London on Tuesday. There was an open-top bus parade as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. Less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties, Williamson said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' Mbeumo relishing Bruno connection Manchester United's new signing Bryan Mbeumo says he is excited about linking up with Bruno Fernandes. Cameroon winger Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals and provided seven assists for Brentford in the Premier League last season, signed a five-year contract last week to become United's third summer signing. When asked on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast who he was most looking forward to playing alongside, Mbeumo told the former United defender: 'Of course, Bruno. 'Everyone sees in the past years. He can shoot, he can cross, he can do crazy ball. Yeah, for a striker, you just enjoy that.' Trafford 'home' at City England Under-21s goalkeeper James Trafford's return to Manchester City fulfils a dream he had of going back to his former club. Trafford has signed a five-year contract with the side he left for Burnley in 2023 after City activated a £27million buy-back clause. 'Rejoining City is such a special and proud moment both for me and my family. I always dreamed that one day I would be able to come back to Manchester City,' said the 22-year-old. 'This is the place I call home – it's a truly special football club with fantastic people who make it such a unique place to work and play.' Isak future not in Howe's full control Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted that he is not in 'full control' over Alexander Isak's future. Isak has been heavily linked with Liverpool after it was reported the 25-year-old was keen to explore a move away from Newcastle. The Sweden striker still has three years left on his contract at Newcastle, who he joined in the summer of 2022 from Spanish side Real Sociedad, but has been absent from the club's pre-season tour of the Far East. 'He is still our player. He's contracted to us,' Howe said at a press conference in Seoul. 'We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control.' What's on today? Rangers will look to hold on to their 2-0 advantage from the first leg when they take on Panathinaikos in Greece in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. League of Ireland side Shelbourne have a tougher task as they face Qarabag in Azerbaijan with a 3-0 deficit.
Leader Live
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Story not done yet, says emotional Leah Williamson as England celebrate Euro win
There was an open-top bus parade just after midday, as thousands of fans flocked to see the procession along the Mall, before a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. The moment was not lost on Williamson as she held back tears among the revelry, less than 48 hours after the Lionesses retained their European Championship crown by beating Spain in the Basel final on penalties. Proud 🥹 — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The England captain said: 'I'm holding back tears. I've been crying all the way down the Mall. This is unbelievable and it's one of the best things we've ever been a part of so thanks for coming out. 'Everything we do, we do it for us and our team but we do it for the country and young girls. This job never existed 30 or 40 years ago and we're making history every single step. Stay with us, this story is not done yet.' England showed incredible defiance throughout the tournament, from bouncing back from their opening defeat to France and demonstrating their never-say-die attitude in the knockout stages. They trailed 2-0 in the quarters to Sweden and 1-0 to Italy in the semis as well as going behind in the showpiece against Spain only to battle back to make sure they kept the trophy they won three years ago. Williamson told the crowd: 'There's lots of ways to win a football match and we repeatedly did it the hard way. 'But you can see how much we care about playing for England and how much we love it – 2022 was a fairy tale but this feels really hard-earned and we're very proud of ourselves so thank you and we hope you are, too. 'The first game maybe rocked us a little bit but I just think we're special people and we love each other, we've got each others' back on and off the pitch. We had tough moments, nasty things to deal with and still we rise.' It was a third consecutive European Championship crown for England head coach Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to glory in 2017. She said: 'It was chaos. I hoped a little less chaos but they didn't keep their promise to finish things quicker! We just kept having hope and belief and they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent. 'There is a huge talent pool in this team. In 2022 we had great bonding but I think that made the absolute difference now: everyone was ready to step up and support each other. It was amazing to be a part of.' Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton was so instrumental in keeping Spain at bay in a 1-1 draw as well as the 3-1 final shootout success. Asked what she was thinking ahead of penalties, she replied: 'Just do whatever I can for the team – they ran around for 120 minutes and I've got it easy just standing still in my own 18-yard box.' She added: 'Don't let people tell you what you can and can't do. If you've got a dream and you really believe it, go out and do it. I did it. 'I got told many times that I'm not good enough and I shouldn't be playing football from the start. Keep doing it and if it makes you happy, go follow that smile.' Teenager Michelle Agyemang was named best young player of the tournament after scoring late levellers in England's quarter-final against Sweden and then Italy in the semis. All for this moment! ❤️ — Lionesses (@Lionesses) July 29, 2025 The 19-year-old said: 'I don't know what to say. It's surreal, it doesn't seem real seeing people down there. It's crazy to see what we've done and be here today.' The talismanic Lucy Bronze added: 'This moment is unbelievable. We did it three years ago but to do it again and to come back to this is just incredible.' Asked how this party compared to three years ago, Bronze replied: 'I don't remember.'
