LONDON (AFP) - England women's manager Phil Neville has urged the Premier League's biggest clubs to "blow the rest of Europe away" by opening their grounds to host women's matches in the manner Atletico Madrid and Juventus have in recent weeks.
Over 60,000 spectators saw England international Toni Duggan score in Barcelona's 2-0 win over Atletico in March to set a new world record for a women's club match.
That beat a European record of 48,000 set in February when Athletic Bilbao hosted Atletico at San Mames, one of the venues for the mens Euro 2020 tournament.
Just short of 40,000 fans also set an Italian record for Juventus' 1-0 win over Fiorentina in March, attendances bolstered by free or cheap tickets.
Neville believes there is even more support for the women's game in England on a consistent basis and called on the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea to follow suit to build momentum ahead of the women's World Cup in France this summer.
"Looking at the attendances in our league yesterday (Sunday), I actually think that is better than the attendances for a one-off game in Spain, Portugal or Italy," said Neville ahead of World Cup warm-up friendlies against Canada and Spain.
"What I would say is some of the teams in England, the big teams in England, have got to open their big stadiums and fill it.
"Let's blow the rest of Europe away because I think our game in this country is in a far better place than in Spain, Italy or Portugal."
Neville's former club Manchester United look set to be promoted to the English Women's Super League (WSL) in their first season since the formation of their female team, Arsenal lead Manchester City in a tight WSL title race, while Chelsea face European champions Lyon in the semi-final of the Champions League later this month.
"Now we've got to say Man Utd if they win the league, or Arsenal throw open your stadium. A Champions League game at Chelsea, why not play it at Stamford Bridge?
"Get 30 or 40,000 in. Our players, the WSL is at the level now where clubs have got to open their stadiums.
"Let's fill it and blow away the rest of Europe. That's my feelings having watched (Athletic) Bilbao, Juventus. They've done it but let us do it two or three times between now and the rest of the season."
Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final victory over Paris Saint-Germain was overshadowed by crowd trouble as police seized weapons and drugs from travelling French fans before the first leg in London.
However, Neville insisted that game showed that women's football can now generate the passionate atmosphere associated with men's games at the highest level.
"I don't want any of that rubbish, but it is a sign people are not just turning up for a women's game to sample the chips and bring the kids, they are coming because they want their team to win badly."
The English Premier League, EPL, on Wednesday, strongly opposed the Union of European Football Associations, UEFA's proposed Champions League reform that will affect top teams like, Liverpool
Mauricio Pochettino's former team-mate on why he is backing Liverpool over Spurs in Madrid. Mauricio Pochettino will not have the support of a former team-mate in the Champions League final as Tottenham take on Liverpool
Footy Fans - Latest football news - Page 3
Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Friday. Marco Silva's side moved into eighth place, one point behind seventh-place Wolverhampton Wanderers, who host Fulham on Saturday.
Real Madrid 1-4 Ajax: Brilliant visitors knock out Champions League holders Football Daily podcast: Real Madrid crash out but Spurs progress It is the first time Ajax have progressed in a
Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on January 13, 2019, with the headline 'Iran and Iraq qualify for last 16 with easy wins'. Print Edition | Subscribe Topics:
Football: Iran and Iraq qualify for last 16 with easy wins
In the dying minutes of Iran's 3-0 defeat to Japan on Monday, striker Sardar Azmoun slapped Japan midfielder Gaku Shibasaki in the face, sparking a melee that also involved his teammates Ehsan Hajsafi and Ramin Rezaeian. Ali Motahari, deputy speaker in Iran's parliament, called for them to be disciplined.
Football News: Jurgen Klopp laughed off suggestions he is an unlucky manager as he looks to halt an unfortunate run of ending up on the losing side in his last six f 'World record holder at
'World record holder at winning semi-finals' - Klopp laughs
Football: Solskjaer praises buccaneering Man United players after stylish win Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates after the match with Jesse Lingard. PHOTO: REUTERS
Solskjaer Praises Buccaneering Man United Players After
Football: Gonzalo Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal
London-born Nico Yennaris said he was "very proud" after becoming the first foreign-born footballer to represent China in their 2-0 victory over the Philippines on Friday. The former Arsenal and
Barcelona - Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele returned to team training on Thursday, increasing hopes that he will recover from his hamstring injury in time for next week's Champions League trip to Manchester United. "Jasper Cillessen (also out injured) and Ousmane Dembele were back training with the group," the La Liga leaders said on their
Ousmane Dembele of Barcelona returns from injury ahead of Man
Football News - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the English Premier League title race and
Tottenham have a bad recent record against Manchester City, but Liverpool have laid out the tactical blueprint for beating Pep Guardiola's side. Two consecutive transfer windows without a
Mourinho gives Spurs blueprint to beat Ajax after
Liverpool's 2-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday was a terrible game of football; Premier League clubs are on top of the European game - and so are English fans Madrid may not have lived up to
Soccer: Real Madrid end campaign with 12th league defeat
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen