West Ham have been slammed by their women’s team after being excluded from the opportunity to play at the London Stadium…with the Hammers being selected for the under-18s ahead of the WSL team
- West Ham have received criticism from their women’s team after the recent actions
- The women’s team was denied the opportunity to play at the London Stadium
- Instead, West Ham’s Under-18s will contest the FA Youth Cup semi-final there
West Ham Women have turned on the club for not being offered at the London Stadium.
This comes as the Hammers under-18s prepare to face Southampton in the FA Youth Cup semi-final at a ground with a capacity of 62,500 spectators, with the men’s team playing home matches.
Barclays’ WSL sponsorship deal includes a clause that at least one match per season must be played at the Men’s Stadium, but West Ham are still waiting for their chance.
Karen Brady, Tara Warne and Nicola Key have recently been appointed managers of West Ham’s women’s side, with contacts insisting it is a key priority for the new-format board to ensure they get use of the London Stadium.
There are additional complications with West Ham leasing their stadium, but the club has taken the women’s team’s wishes on board and insiders say they will work out a solution.
West Ham’s women’s team has criticized their lack of chances at the London Stadium
Lucy Parker insisted the women’s team “deserved” the opportunity to play on the field
Manchester United Women’s hosted West Ham at Old Trafford last week in front of 27,919 fans, and Chelsea Women played at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal Women at the Emirates this season, each drawing large crowds.
Lucy Parker, who was named Tuesday’s newest Lionesses, expressed frustration later that night at not being given the same opportunity.
“It doesn’t take anything away from the players, because they deserve it even more after their year,” Parker, 24, defender, wrote in a tweet.
But when are we going to play on the field? The only WSL team that hasn’t played a men’s game and haven’t played there since 2019. They were in the FA Cup semi-final last year, so that can’t be.
West Ham Women play home games at Dagenham & Redbridge Stadium, Victoria Road, which has a capacity of 6,078.