Sarina Wiegman says lack of diversity ‘will not change overnight’

Sarina Wiegman has acknowledged things are “not going to change overnight” after all 13 players to feature for England in their under-23s’ 4-1 victory over Belgium on Monday were white. Last week, Chelsea’s manager, Emma Hayes, made pointed comments that professional women’s football in England was a middle-class sport and that the academy set-up did not bring in diverse talent.

There were three black players in the Lionesses’ squad of 23 that won Euro 2022 and three black players – Lauren James, Ebony Salmon and Jess Carter – were named in the 26 for this month’s Arnold Clark Cup. Asmita Ale, who is of Nepalese descent, was an unused substitute for the under-23s on Monday.

“You’re not going to change things overnight,” Wiegman said. “Over the last weeks the FA and Kay Cossington [the FA’s women’s technical director] launched an improved pathway which is really is about, of course, performance, but also inclusivity, diversity and accessibility.

“Hopefully in the future, and I don’t know how long it will take, we will get very, very good players we can start with, but also [players] that represents more the diversity of our community.”

The Chelsea defender Millie Bright echoed Wiegman’s sentiments. “It is nice knowing changes have been made and that things are in place to allow it [the game] to be more diverse in the future,” she said.

Wiegman has said she will again experiment when England play their third and final Arnold Clark Cup game on Wednesday, against Belgium at Ashton Gate. A draw would secure the trophy for Wiegman, who made nine changes for Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Italy after easing past South Korea 4-0 in their opening game last Thursday.

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