Latest news with #warmup
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Copa América Femenina alters practice rules following outcry from Brazil
CONMEBOL, South American football's governing body, has advised teams competing in Copa América Femenina that all players will now have access to pitches for pre-game warmups, according to a memo reviewed by The Athletic. The message went out to teams Thursday night, following widespread criticism the previous day from Brazilian players, including Marta, the six-time FIFA Player of the Year, over tournament regulations requiring players to warm up in a small, indoor area alongside their opponents. 'From now on, in addition to the goalkeepers who already had a warm-up period on the field for 15 minutes, the possibility will be enabled so that the field players can also warm up on the field of play during the same period of time,' the memo said. 'After an extensive evaluation of the state of the playing fields of the competition stadiums so far and also considering the feedback received from some participating teams, CONMEBOL has decided to implement an adjustment in the pre-match operations.' The mid-tournament change comes after players publicly criticized the confederation and organizers in Ecuador over warm-up conditions at the tournament, which is considered the premier event in South American women's football. Images have circulated on social media, with a video posted by Dibradoras, a Brazilian media company that covers women's sports, showing Brazilian and Bolivian players warming up together in a confined space ahead of their Wednesday night match. The tournament implemented the original system to prevent damage to the pitch at Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium, which hosted back-to-back games on Wednesday. 'It's been a long time since I played in a tournament here in South America, and we're saddened by these situations,' Marta, 39, told the Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte. '(CONMEBOL) demand performance from the athletes and a high level of work, but we also demand a high level of organization. We have the right to demand organization. 'This situation is really disruptive. There wasn't enough space for both teams, but both wanted to be there to prepare. I really don't understand why we can't warm up on the field. This is still a problem for us because it's very hot here, with the altitude. We hope CONMEBOL reverses some of the issues and improves things.' Brazil's head coach, Arthur Elias, previously indicated that this setup limited his ability to evaluate players before deciding on his starting 11. This was partly why 25-year-old Kerolin was absent from Brazil's lineup in their opening game against Venezuela. The Manchester City forward, who was the NWSL's Most Valuable Player in 2023, went on to score a hat-trick in Brazil's 6-0 win over Bolivia. 'Unfortunately, we are in a competition where the teams don't warm up on the field,' Elias said of Kerolin's initial absence. 'That is, they don't warm up football, they warm up other movements. … It's more or less the size of this room. We can only warm up the starters. We can't even warm up the reserves. 'These are not gestures that are part of the game. There's not much exchange of passes, there's no intensity that you can achieve because the space is small, so they don't warm up as the football player has to warm up to practice.' Brazilian midfielder Ary Borges, who plays for the NWSL's Racing Louisville FC, echoed similar criticism following Brazil's win against Bolivia, directly calling on CONMEBOL president Alejandro Domínguez for improvements. Borges shared her grievances, including the lack of a video assistant referee (VAR) system in the group stage, with commentator and former player Francielle Alberto. 'We are playing in a competition that counts for a place in the Olympics … and we don't have VAR in the games, we can't step onto the pitch in a game against Venezuela without knowing what the pitch (is) like,' Borges said, 'Worst of all, (we are) warming up on a synthetic pitch, (over) cement, within a space of 10, 15 meters, stinking of paint, because it looks like they painted the stadium there two days, one day before. 'So, it's very difficult, because last year we had a men's Copa América at good times, in good stadiums and we see … this disregard for women's football and it's a shame.' In speaking to Globo Esporte, Borges added, 'Ask (Domínguez) if he could warm up in a 5 to 10 meter space that smells of paint. I think we had the example of the Men's Copa América, with a huge structure. Why is the women's tournament having this kind of thing?' Brazil is the defending champion of the Copa América Femenina title and is an 8-time winner of the competition. This summer's spectacle is of increased significance with the 2027 women's World Cup coming to South America for the first time, with Brazil serving as tournament hosts. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Brazil, Women's Soccer, Copa America 2025 The Athletic Media Company
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
CONMEBOL eases Copa America warm-up rules after Brazil's complaints
July 18 (Reuters) - CONMEBOL announced on Friday that it has adjusted pre-match procedures at the Women's Copa America in Ecuador to allow players to warm up on the pitch, following criticism from Brazilian players and coaching staff. "From now on, in addition to goalkeepers who already had a 15-minute warm-up period on the field, outfield players will also be allowed to warm up on the pitch for the same duration," the South American soccer governing body told Reuters. "This decision was made after a detailed assessment of the condition of the playing surfaces at the competition's stadiums to date, and after taking into account feedback from some participating teams." Tournament organisers had barred outfield players from warming up on the pitch to preserve the playing surface, with each stadium hosting two matches in a day during the group stage. Brazil captain Marta, midfielder Ary Borges, and head coach Arthur Elias voiced their frustration after their dominant group-stage win over Bolivia, as both teams had been forced to warm-up in a shared room of about 15 square meters that smelled of paint. They also criticised the restrictions after their tournament opener against Venezuela, saying they were unable to properly assess Kerolin's fitness, which ultimately led to the Manchester City striker being sidelined. Defending champions Brazil top Group B with two wins and will face Paraguay on Tuesday.
CNA
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Brazil players slam CONMEBOL over Women's Copa America warm-up conditions
Brazilian players, including six-time FIFA Player of the Year Marta, have criticised CONMEBOL and the organisers of the Women's Copa America in Ecuador for requiring teams to warm-up in confined indoor areas rather than on the pitch Images circulated on social media, before Brazil's dominant victory over Bolivia in their second Group B match on Tuesday, showed players from both teams warming up side-by-side in a confined area at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium. According to the tournament regulations, the measure was implemented to prevent damage to the pitch, which hosts two matches in a day during the group stage. Marta, who returned from international retirement to participate in the continental tournament, voiced her frustration over the situation. "It's been a long time since I played in a tournament here in South America, and we were saddened by these circumstances," the 39-year-old striker told Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte. "Athletes are expected to perform well and work hard, but we also have to demand a high level of organisation. "There wasn't enough space for both teams, but both wanted to prepare. I really don't understand why we can't warm up on the pitch. "This is a problem for us because it's very hot inside, on top of the altitude. We hope that CONMEBOL changes some things and improves the situation." Coach Arthur Elias echoed Marta's concerns, emphasizing that the conditions pose risks to players. "We shouldn't have to demand that those responsible for football do their job, just as the players do on the pitch and I do as a coach," he said. "The issue of warm-ups worries me a lot ... This is crucial for the players' health and for the match, because when both teams don't warm up on the pitch, they take longer to get going." Midfielder Ary Borges directed criticism at CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, highlighting the disparity between men's and women's tournaments. "Even amateur matches are better organised than what we have here. Ask Alejandro if he could warm-up in a space measuring five or 10 metres and smelling of paint," she said. "I think we had an example of this with the Men's Copa America, with its huge infrastructure. Why is the women's tournament having to deal with this kind of thing? "This is something he needs to address, as president. I think we deserve better."
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Owen Farrell to make British and Irish Lions tour debut against AUNZ Invitational XV
Lions veteran: Owen Farrell will make his 19th appearance for the famous tourists in Adelaide (Robbie Stephenson/PA Wire) Owen Farrell has been named among the replacements as the British and Irish Lions prepare to face an AUNZ Invitational XV this weekend. The Lions head to the Adelaide Oval on Saturday for what will be their final warm-up fixture ahead of the three-Test series against Australia that begins at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 19. Advertisement Farrell joined the squad in Sydney last week having been called up as a replacement for the injured Elliot Daly but had a watching brief only for their wins over the New South Wales Waratahs and ACT Brumbies. However, the former England captain trained fully for the first time in Canberra on Tuesday and was expected to be included in the squad to face a strong-looking AUNZ Invitational XV. It will be Farrell's 19th Lions appearance and first match of any kind since May 4, when he suffered a concussion during Racing 92's Challenge Cup semi-final defeat by Lyon. His disappointing lone season in France was also hampered by a lingering groin injury that required surgery in November. Advertisement Farrell, who has now returned to former club Saracens on a two-year contract, has not played Test rugby since stepping down from England duty in the aftermath of the 2023 World Cup in order to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing. Skipper: Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne captains the Lions again in the absence of Maro Itoje (Brian Lawless/PA Wire) He now joins Brian O'Driscoll, Alun Wyn Jones, Willie John McBride and Mike Gibson as the only players ever to go on four separate Lions tours and will be looking to prove to dad and head coach Andy Farrell that he is worthy of a spot in the Test squad. Having named what many expect to be very close to his team for the first Test against the Wallabies to face the Brumbies on Wednesday, Andy Farrell mostly reverts back to the team that earned a scrappy 21-10 victory over the Waratahs to head to Adelaide, with most of his presumed Test starters - including tour captain Maro Itoje - given a rest. Advertisement Ireland's Tadhg Beirne captains the Lions for the second time on tour having also been named skipper against the Waratahs, lining up at lock alongside James Ryan having been shifted to the back row last weekend to cover the late withdrawal of Henry Pollock with a calf issue. Pollock starts at blindside flanker, as was the original plan against the Waratahs, with Jac Morgan - the sole Welshman left in the touring party following Tomos Williams' hamstring injury - returning on the openside along with number eight Ben Earl. Will Stuart gets the nod over Finlay Bealham at tighthead prop as the duo look to put pressure on Tadhg Furlong, joined in the front row by Pierre Schoeman and Luke Cowan-Dickie. Hugo Keenan returns at full-back and could yet be the Test starter in that position after rival Blair Kinghorn went off with a knee injury in the first half against the Brumbies. Advertisement Mack Hansen - who came off the bench to face his old club in Canberra - starts opposite Duhan van der Merwe on the wing, with the Scottish partnership of Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu restored at centre following Jones' two first-half tries against the Waratahs. Fin Smith is joined at half-back by Ben White, who makes his first Lions start after being drafted in as an injury replacement for Williams and coming off the bench in Sydney last weekend. Ireland trio Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Bealham are the replacement front row as Andy Farrell opts for a 5-3 bench split, joined by Josh van der Flier - who scored off the bench against the Brumbies - and Scott Cummings. England duo Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith once again make the matchday squad, joining Owen Farrell. Advertisement 'We are in a great position just over a week out from the First Test,' said Andy Farrell. 'The players now have another chance to put in a strong team performance and put a hand up for selection for the Test matches against the Wallabies. 'Les Kiss has assembled a strong squad with lots of international experience and we know that he will have them well organised and they will bring a lot of physicality to the contest.' Former Ireland and London Irish coach and Ulster director of rugby Kiss, who will take over the Australia job from Joe Schmidt next year and has already coached against the Lions on this tour with the Queensland Reds, has named a strong AUNZ Invitational XV to face the Lions. The team includes six Australian internationals and eight capped by the All Blacks. Blues wing AJ Lam is the only player in the starting lineup without a senior cap to his name. Advertisement British and Irish Lions vs AUNZ Invitational XV lineups British and Irish Lions XV: Keenan; Hansen, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; F Smith, White; Schoeman, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart; Ryan, Beirne (c), Pollock, Morgan, Earl Replacements: Kelleher, Porter, Bealham, Cummings, Van der Flier, Mitchell, M Smith, Farrell AUNZ Invitational XV: Stevenson; Lam, Laumape, Havili (co-c), Koroibete; Edmed, Fakatava; Ross, Paenga-Amosa, Toomaga-Allen; Blyth, Salakaia-Loto (co-c), Frizell, Samu, Sotutu Replacements: Eklund, Fusitu'a, Dyer, Philip, Brial, Thomas, McLaughlin-Phillips, Campbell
The Guardian
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Slow starts, the breakdown and pressure of selection are weighing heavy on Lions
The phoney war is coming to an end. One more warm-up match against a tasty looking Australia and New Zealand invitational side and then into the real thing. The Lions head coach, Andy Farrell, was asked how much he was holding back for the Test series and he replied it was exactly the same amount as Australia were. I'd expect nothing less. To give a sense of what that means, it's not as if he's asking players to give 80% of their capacity or that the Lions will be unrecognisable come the Test series. The framework they have been working with is the one they will use. But it's the details where the Lions will try to hurt Australia that have been, to a degree, parked or kept back. You don't necessarily want to show that in warm-up matches, certainly not your full hand. In 2009, while we were playing the provincial matches in the buildup, the framework of how we were going to play got layered on and became more detailed with each game, even every day in the buildup to the Test matches. We had specific areas where we believed we could hurt the Springboks that we kept up our sleeve. That could be a kick-off, for example, so it was interesting to see the Lions switching things up against the Brumbies, going down the middle and using Tommy Freeman as the main chaser. That kind of thing, or trick moves and trick plays, I thought the Lions might hold back until the Tests. Even accounting for the Lions holding things back, they would have been hoping for more against the Brumbies. It is a good thing no one in the camp was doing cartwheels and I get the impression they recognise that while it's building, at some point it needs to be built. They are probably behind where I thought they would be, but none of the problems affecting the Lions is terminal. The first thing they need to address is their tendency to start slowly. The Lions have conceded a try inside 11 minutes in four of their five matches. That feeds the energy of their opponents and the concern is that against a team with the threats the Wallabies possess, it may not be just one try and all of a sudden they are up against it and chasing the game. Fast starts need to become a hallmark of this side. They need to build pressure and sustain pressure. The second area of concern is the breakdown because if you want to be a team who play with ball in hand it means that you want to be comfortable going through multiple phases. International rugby is all about sustained pressure, whether that is at the set piece, in your ball carrying or going through the phases. The Lions are letting teams off the hook because they are not being efficient enough at looking after the ball for enough phases. Some of it comes down to individual responsibility and the worry is that the breakdown problems have become a bit of a pattern. The danger is that if the Lions do want to play multi-phase rugby they are starting to do some of Australia's homework for them by demonstrating their deficiencies and the Wallabies are a very good side when it comes to the breakdown. There has been plenty to enjoy about the Lions' performances, but I do wonder if the general sense of clunkiness comes down to the strain the selection battle for the Test side puts them under. Farrell and his coaches will consider everything when it comes to who runs out on Saturday week in Brisbane. Some players will earn their places through experience, others through form. There will be those such as Tadhg Furlong who has been played into a bit of form, others whose form is unignorable, but there will be no guiding principle across the whole side. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion Everyone is scrapping like mad for their position and it is unfamiliar to a lot of them. Plenty of players who started against the Brumbies, when they go back to their home nation, are not in as much of a battle for their place. Worrying about selection is not something they need to expend energy on so when we're seeing players making silly mistakes, not quite at their best, maybe it is because the pressure of selection is huge and it is unfamiliar and weighing heavy. A level of protection that is normally afforded to them has been taken away, there's more of a pressure to perform and that's playing out. It is a big ask for most of the starters on Saturday to force their way into the Test team, but that will not stop them trying. A big performance from Jac Morgan could put him in at openside and the two Scotland centres will be desperate for a good showing. Owen Farrell is on the bench, but I do wonder if the Lions will regret not having Jamie Osborne already in camp and able to run out because all of a sudden eyes are on Hugo Keenan at full-back. Most importantly, these players have to feel like they can fight their way into the Test team because these Lions haven't lost in Australia yet and they won't want to buck that trend.
