Latest news with #KarenCarney
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
ITV beat the BBC, but all TV coverage of women's football needs to grow up
It was, you have to say, excellent TV, skilful and provocative, and it hit Carney right in the feels. Karen told us she was welling up and 'I am not going to lie, I found it quite triggering. There is now a little girl and little boy that now knows it is OK to want to be a footballer.' Pace yourself, Karen, there's still half an hour until kick-off. Wright and Hayes also did appropriate amounts of Her Game Too-ing and fair enough. Over on the BBC, a pop singer called Self-Esteem did a song called Focus is Power and it doesn't get more earnest than that. Maybe because the game itself is younger at this level of mainstream interest, or because some of these Lionesses were able to play very long careers, but it feels like the pundits are generally a lot closer both in age and personally to the women they are commenting on. For instance on the BBC: White, only 36 and a team-mate of many of these, whereas a men's game will have Alan Shearer or whoever, guys who belong to a different generation who can, sometimes, put the boot in where needed. This is partly why the coverage of England women players and manager is largely uncritical. For example, it was put to ITV's Anita Asante before the match that maybe Lauren James wasn't fit. Firmly, Asante said: 'If Lauren James is in the starting line-up she is 100 per cent.' That did not really seem to be the case, though, and it symptomatic of a general reluctance to criticise that the men's game has largely moved beyond. Hard to see Gabby Logan saying that the England women's team had played s---, isn't it, as Gary Lineker did about Harry Kane and co? Not that yesterday called for anything beyond cheerleading. Women's football is, as yet, still part elite sport and part feelgood story and social project and the coverage reflects that but it will be really interesting to see if there's room for a Roy Keane or Alan Hansen type in a few years as the TV coverage matures.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Karen Carney fights back tears over women's football backlash at Euro 2025 final
A former England player and ITV presenter was moved by a compilation of footage showing past criticism of women's football ahead of the Euro 2025 final on Sunday, 27 July. As the Lionesses prepared to face Spain, the broadcaster aired an interview with Beth Mead in which the striker recalled how she was laughed at when she started her career playing for a boys' team. Karen Carney, one of England's most-capped players, became emotional after the interview finished as she reflected on how far the sport has come. "There is a little girl and also a little boy that now knows that there is a place for everybody to play football," she said.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Welcome to The Athletic's Euro 2025 coverage: Insight, analysis and a new signing
Hi readers, The 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship starts today in Switzerland and is on the ground and across the globe to bring you everything you want and need to know. As England embark on their title defence, we are expanding our coverage to bring you the good, the bad, the moving and the what-the-heck from the 16-team tournament. Advertisement Our excitement is as high as the prices in the host country. And who knows, we might just float down the Rhine River for the final in Basel. We will have the coverage you've come to expect, including live analysis, briefings after the whistle and in-depth storytelling about everything in between. We will have five writers on the ground across Switzerland at different stages of the tournament, as well as coverage out of our London and U.S. offices. If you missed a moment or just want more, we'll have you covered. But I've buried the big news a little. We also have a very special addition to our team for this tournament and beyond. Former England international Karen Carney will analyse the biggest moments on and off the pitch for . 'I really admire the quality of 's coverage and how it brings together some of the most respected and unique voices in sport,' Carney said. 'So I'm excited to join the team and be a part of a platform that inspires and connects with fans around the world.' Advertisement Fancy insight into every group and team in the tournament? We've got that. What about the context around Aitana Bonmati's illness and what it means for Spain and the tournament as a whole? Laia Cervello Herrero can tell you all about it. Wondering if the top teams are really that elite? Our tactics expert, Michael Cox, has something to say about that. Or even which kits are the best (and worst) of the tournament… of course, we've got that covered, too. It's yet another summer full of matches and plenty of action. We'll not only have the Euros going on, but we will also have writers sharing the biggest stories from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America Femenina. The NWSL in the U.S. might be taking a break from the regular season, but we'll make sure you know where your favourite players are, whether in international tournaments or domestic friendlies. Advertisement is not just a news source but a community for those who love the game. In addition to our written work, you can subscribe to our weekly Full Time newsletter and listen to our podcast. You can expect the typical weekly episode from Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin (watch out on Thursday for an interview with former England defender and Canada head coach Casey Stoney). During the Euros, we will have special recap and preview episodes with cameos from our reporters on the ground. Whether you've followed us for a while or are just getting started, we are excited to have you along for the ride. Thank you for your support, now let's get going! Emily Olsen, 's Head of Global Women's Soccer This article originally appeared in The Athletic. NWSL, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Welcome to The Athletic's Euro 2025 coverage: Insight, analysis and a new signing
Follow the Women's Euros page for all things tournament-related. For all our overall coverage, follow our new women's soccer team page — your one-stop shop for the beautiful game. Hi readers, The 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship starts today in Switzerland and The Athletic is on the ground and across the globe to bring you everything you want and need to know. As England embark on their title defence, we are expanding our coverage to bring you the good, the bad, the moving and the what-the-heck from the 16-team tournament. Advertisement Our excitement is as high as the prices in the host country. And who knows, we might just float down the Rhine River for the final in Basel. We will have the coverage you've come to expect, including live analysis, briefings after the whistle and in-depth storytelling about everything in between. We will have five writers on the ground across Switzerland at different stages of the tournament, as well as coverage out of our London and U.S. offices. If you missed a moment or just want more, we'll have you covered. But I've buried the big news a little. We also have a very special addition to our team for this tournament and beyond. Former England international Karen Carney will analyse the biggest moments on and off the pitch for The Athletic. 'I really admire the quality of The Athletic's coverage and how it brings together some of the most respected and unique voices in sport,' Carney said. 'So I'm excited to join the team and be a part of a platform that inspires and connects with fans around the world.' Fancy insight into every group and team in the tournament? We've got that. What about the context around Aitana Bonmati's illness and what it means for Spain and the tournament as a whole? Laia Cervello Herrero can tell you all about it. Wondering if the top teams are really that elite? Our tactics expert, Michael Cox, has something to say about that. Or even which kits are the best (and worst) of the tournament… of course, we've got that covered, too. It's yet another summer full of matches and plenty of action. We'll not only have the Euros going on, but we will also have writers sharing the biggest stories from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and Copa America Femenina. The NWSL in the U.S. might be taking a break from the regular season, but we'll make sure you know where your favourite players are, whether in international tournaments or domestic friendlies. Advertisement The Athletic is not just a news source but a community for those who love the game. In addition to our written work, you can subscribe to our weekly Full Time newsletter and listen to our podcast. You can expect the typical weekly episode from Meg Linehan and Tamerra Griffin (watch out on Thursday for an interview with former England defender and Canada head coach Casey Stoney). During the Euros, we will have special recap and preview episodes with cameos from our reporters on the ground. Whether you've followed us for a while or are just getting started, we are excited to have you along for the ride. Thank you for your support, now let's get going! Emily Olsen, The Athletic's Head of Global Women's Soccer (Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Crystal Pix / Getty, Visionhaus / Getty)
The Independent
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright? ITV's Euro 2025 pundit controversy explained
Former England international Eni Aluko is part of ITV 's punditry team at Euro 2025, just a few weeks after issuing an apology to Ian Wright for suggesting he was blocking opportunities for women. Aluko's comments made headlines and attracted criticism in April when she told BBC Radio Four's Woman's Hour that Wright needed to 'be aware' of the 'finite opportunities for women' in the game. Former England and Arsenal striker Wright is not part of ITV's coverage of Euro 2025. In an Instagram video posted following Aluko's interview with Women's Hour, Wright said he could not accept Aluko's apology. Wright, 61, is a passionate supporter of the women's game and was a pundit for the BBC during Euro 2022 as England won the tournament on home soil. Wright was also in Australia and New Zealand for the Women's World Cup in 2023, where he took part in ITV's coverage. His absence from Switzerland comes as a surprise after being involved in coverage of recent Lionesses games. Aluko, who won 102 England caps, joins former England international Karen Carney and United States manager Emma Hayes in ITV's punditry team for the tournament. What did Eni Aluko say about Ian Wright? The former England striker appeared on Women's Hour on Wednesday 23 April and was interviewed by the presenter Clare McDonnell. The 38-year-old was first asked if she stood by her opinion, stated the previous year, that men are 'dominating' women's football broadcasting. Aluko said: 'I will never be able to usurp Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher. These are guys that have done it for a long time, they are brilliant broadcasters and rightly dominate their sport. I think the same should apply in the women's game.' McDonnell then asked Aluko whether Ian Wright was an example of a 'high-profile man' taking up space in the women's game. 'I've worked with Ian a long time and I think he's a brilliant broadcaster, but I think he's aware of just how much he's doing in the women's game. I think he should be aware of that,' Aluko said. 'The fact of the matter is there is a limited amount of space available. I can't dominate the men's game in the way that – you used Ian as an example – Ian is dominating the women's game.' Aluko was then asked if that was wrong. 'I don't know about it being wrong,' she said. 'We need to make sure that women are not being blocked from having a pathway to broadcasting in the women's game. It is still new, it is still growing. There is a very fine amount of opportunities and I think that men need to be aware of that. They need to be aware that you are in a growing sport for women and we haven't always had those opportunities.' What did Eni Aluko say when she apologised? A couple of days later, Aluko took to Instagram to clarify her comments and said it was 'wrong' for Wright's name being brought into the discussion. She wrote: 'Ian Wright is a brilliant broadcaster and role model whose support for the women's game has been significant. 'In my interview with Woman's Hour this week, I was trying to make a broader point about the limited opportunities for women in football - whether that's in coaching, broadcasting or commercial spaces - and the importance of creating more space for women to thrive on and off the pitch. 'But it was wrong for Ian's name to be raised in that conversation, and for that I sincerely apologise. I've known and worked with him for many years and have nothing but love and respect for him.' How Ian Wright responded to Eni Aluko's apology 'I have to talk about this week and what's going on. I don't want to endlessly be asked about it,' Wright said in a video posted onto Instagram. 'I've got to say, I'm very disappointed by what Eni has said. She knows how I've helped her, supported her publicly and I know the previous conversations she's had with me and my management. 'I've seen the apology on social media, but I can't accept it – but I also want to move on from it. For anyone watching this, I really don't need any further social commentary directed at anyone on this. 'The thing about where the women's game is, it isn't about me – it has to be about the collective. Because of the past, we know the men blocked the women's game for 50 years, because of the past we know the game has serious systemic challenges, and it's going to take everyone to help fixes. So for me, I always give back to the game, as it has given me so much.' ITV also backed Wright, with a spokesperson saying: 'Ian's standing in the sport is beyond question. As one of the UK's most respected and much-loved footballers and sporting broadcasters, with a career spanning nearly four decades, Ian is an incredible advocate, ally and brilliant broadcaster of women's football from a grassroots level as well as at the highest international competitions.'
