News

• Chelsea captain Millie Bright has withdrawn from the England squad for June's UEFA Nations League matches to take an extended break and allow a period of recovery.
• Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, who has 13 caps, has been called into Sarina Wiegman's squad for the League A games against Portugal and Spain.
• The Lionesses will face Portugal at Wembley Stadium on Friday, 30 May, before taking on group leaders and world champions Spain in Barcelona on Tuesday, 3 June.

Find more on BBC.

Alessia Russo and Ella Toone will no longer be the only Lionesses with their own podcast. Now Chelsea captain Millie Bright and Aston Villa player Rachel Daly have joined the company of female footballers with a podcast.

The title will be The Rest is football: Daly Brightness, as a pun on their surnames. According to the players, and especially the very good friends, it will be all about relaxed chat about football and everything around it.

​Millie Bright, a defender for Chelsea and England, emphasizes the transformative power of football in fostering community and personal growth. She highlights the importance of grassroots initiatives, such as the Football Foundation's Lionesses Futures Fund, which has funded 30 new 3G pitches dedicated to women's and girls' football. Bright believes these facilities provide safe spaces for individuals to connect, find support, and build confidence, underscoring football's role beyond just the sport.

She also expresses pride in her teammate, Lucy Bronze, for openly discussing her diagnosis of ADHD and autism. Bright commends Bronze's courage in sharing her story, recognizing that such openness can inspire others and promote understanding of neurodiverse conditions within the sporting community. This acknowledgment reflects Bright's broader commitment to inclusivity and support within football.​

​The England Women's football team is currently in discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding bonuses for their upcoming European Championship defense. Led by captain Leah Williamson, along with senior players Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright, the team has expressed disappointment over the FA's initial bonus offer, feeling it falls short compared to other top international teams. For example, Spain's players received £250,000 each for their World Cup win, and have secured a favorable package for the European Championship.

The Lionesses are seeking an increase from the £55,000 bonus they received for winning Euro 2022, especially since UEFA has increased the tournament's prize money. Despite improved relations since the last dispute before the World Cup two years ago, the players are frustrated by the delay in reaching a resolution and the significant disparity in bonuses compared to their male counterparts. The FA has declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations.