MX23RW : Saturday, May 18 12:15:35| >> :600:100974:100974:

FA investigating complaints from Birmingham Women to club's board

FA investigating complaints from Birmingham Women to club's board
© Reuters
The Football Association said it is working with the club.

The Football Association is investigating a series of complaints raised by Birmingham Women's playing squad with the club's board.

City's squad has sent a letter to the club's hierarchy highlighting a lack of support for them compared to that given to the men's team.

The complaints have been reported to include players earning "less than the minimum wage" and delays over treatment for injured players.

Birmingham lost 6-0 at Women's Super League leaders Chelsea on Sunday
Birmingham lost 6-0 at Women's Super League leaders Chelsea on Sunday (Adam Davy/PA)

Lack of access to the training-ground gym, changing rooms and travel arrangements for away fixtures were other issues raised in the letter.

The FA said: "We are aware of the letter submitted by the players of Birmingham City to the club's board.

"We are working with the women's club and are supporting them to ensure they are able to complete their remaining fixtures this season.

"We will be looking into some of the issues raised by the players to ensure all license criteria is being met by the club."

City Women have reportedly also complained about the size of their squad and said some players have played this season when not fully fit.

The team were forced to withdraw from a Women's Super League fixture at Tottenham in January due to a lack of fit players, while some home games have been postponed due to the poor playing surface at their Damson Park ground.

Birmingham City were unavailable for comment but said in a statement published by the Daily Telegraph that they had one of the lowest budgets in the league.

"Covid has only compounded this," the club said. "This certainly makes it difficult to compete, but we're doing our best on and off the pitch in what is a very difficult time for professional football."

Birmingham added: "We are lucky to be based in the middle of the country where we can easily make journeys to our games without the need to stay overnight, whilst still being able to prepare our team in the best way possible to compete."

Birmingham City Women defender Harriet Scott said on Twitter that through adversity the squad had remained united.

"Throughout all the difficulties this season the players are unified," she said. "We have a dressing room that will work themselves into the ground for each other. The players deserve support. The women's game deserves better."

Former City men's player Jude Bellingham retweeted Scott's message, while England players Fran Kirby and Leah Williamson are among those to send messages of support.

Birmingham are ninth in the WSL table, three points above the relegation zone with four games to play.

ID:442102: cacheID:442102:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6505:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
WSL roundup: Leaders Chelsea stay two points clear
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester463141189414897
3Leeds UnitedLeeds462791081433890
4Southampton462691187632487
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4621121370472375
6Norwich CityNorwich4621101579641573
7Hull City461913146860870
8Middlesbrough46209177162969
9Coventry CityCoventry4617131670591164
10Preston North EndPreston46189195667-1163
11Bristol City461711185351262
12Cardiff CityCardiff46195225370-1762
13Millwall461611194555-1059
14Swansea CitySwansea461512195965-657
15Watford461317166161056
16Sunderland46168225254-256
17Stoke CityStoke461511204960-1156
18Queens Park RangersQPR461511204758-1156
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn461411216074-1453
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds46158234468-2453
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth461312215970-1151
RBirmingham CityBirmingham461311225065-1550
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield46918194877-2945
RRotherham UnitedRotherham46512293789-5227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!