Latest news from QueenBallers

The transfer period is approaching and with it the speculation about contract extensions and non-extensions. Arsenal announced their first two signings today. Specifically, two Swedish players - defender Amanda Ilestedt and forward Lina Hurtig. Both are out of contract at the end of the season and will not be extended further.

Hurtig joined the London club from Serie A's Juventus in 2022. She has appeared in 36 games and scored seven times. It was her former club, Juventus, against whom she was the only one to make it through the Champions League group stage.

Ilestedt joined Arsenal in 2023 from PSG. In 23 matches she scored three times. She also drew attention to herself with her story of being able to come back after a maternity break.

Along with Ilestedt and Hurtig, Teyah Goldie, who was on loan at London City Lionesses, also leaves the Gunners.

Big news for all the football fans. Two Lionesses - Ella Toone and Alessia Russo are launching second season of their of their successful podcast Tooney and Russo show. They are not just back, but stronger than ever.

The second series of the inseparable duo of these best friends and amazing footballers will begin on Monday 12 May and will be available to listen to on BBC Sounds and podcast apps as well as YouTube. They will be kept company by presenter Vick Hope.

Tooney and Alessia aren't the only Lionesses with a podcast. Millie Bright and Rachel Daly have also recently launched their own show. In the podcast The Rest is Football: Daly Brightness relaxedly talks about football and everything around it. 

We recently reported that Manchester United would join the new World Sevens Football competition as the fourth club, joining Bayern Munich, Ajax, and Benfica, who were also confirmed at the time.

We now know all  participants in the brand new tournament, which will be played in Portugal from May 21 to 23. 

Manchester United will be joined by their biggest city rival Manchester City for the English clubs. The French clubs will be represented by PSG, while the Italian Serie A side will be represented by AS Roma. The seven competing teams will be completed by Sweden's Damallsvenskan in the form of FC Rosengård.

Learn more on worldsevensfootball.com

Manchester United secured a spot in next season's UEFA Women's Champions League after a 2-2 draw against Manchester City on May 4, 2025.

• Dramatic Comeback in Manchester Derby: Despite trailing 2-0, United rallied with goals from Grace Clinton and Melvine Mallard to level the match.
• Playing with Ten Players: United endured the final 20 minutes with ten players after Aoife Mannion received a second yellow card, but managed to hold off City's late pressure.
• League Standings: With one game remaining, United sit third in the Women's Super League with 44 points, four ahead of City and one behind Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
• Upcoming FA Cup Final: United will now focus on defending their FA Cup title in the final against Chelsea on May 18, 2025.

For more details, you can read the full article here: Reuters Article.

• The match featured a remarkable 25-yard strike from Isobel Goodwin, the league's top scorer, giving London City a 1-0 lead and thrilling the 8,749 fans in attendance
• The game was a title decider and marked the first Women's Championship match broadcast live on Sky Sports, highlighting the growing prominence of women's football.
• Under the ownership of Michele Kang, who also owns Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, London City Lionesses have become the first fully independent club to reach the WSL. Kang's investment and vision have been pivotal in the club's success

For more detailed information, you can read the full article here: The FA Article.

• Niamh Fahey Announces Retirement from Club Football: Liverpool FC Women captain and Republic of Ireland international Niamh Fahey has declared her intention to retire from club football at the conclusion of the current Women's Super League (WSL) season
• Final Matches Scheduled: Fahey's final appearances will be in Liverpool's upcoming league fixtures against Everton on 4th May and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 10th May
• Dream Club Career: Fahey has had a really successfull club career, featuring for top english clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, and collecting five league titles and five Women’s FA Cups along the way.
• Legacy in Irish Football: In January 2025, Fahey retired from international football, concluding her tenure with 115 caps for Ireland, including participation in the 2023 Women's World Cup. Fahey's retirement follows that of fellow Ireland stalwart Louise Quinn, marking the end of an era for Irish women's football.

For more detailed information, you can read the full article here: The Sun Article.

The topic of transgender athletes has long been discussed, especially in relation to swimmer Lia Thomas. At the same time, transgender athletes are such a minority group that, especially in team sports, no official statement has been issued. The first to come up with something like this was the FA:

• FA Implements Ban on Transgender Women in Women's Football: Effective June 1, 2025, the Football Association (FA) will prohibit transgender women from participating in women's football across all levels in England, including amateur leagues.
• Policy Change Prompted by Supreme Court Ruling: This decision follows an April 16, 2025, UK Supreme Court ruling that legally defines "woman" under the Equality Act as a biological female, compelling the FA to revise its inclusion policies to align with the law
• Previous Inclusion Policy Overturned: The FA's earlier policy allowed transgender women to play in women's leagues if they met specific criteria, such as maintaining reduced testosterone levels for a designated period.
• Approximately 20 Amateur Players Affected: Currently, around 20 transgender women are registered in English grassroots football; the FA is reaching out to these individuals to explain the changes and discuss alternative ways to remain involved in the sport.
• Broader Impact on Sports and Public Spaces: The Supreme Court ruling has broader implications, influencing policies in other sports and public facilities, with organizations like the Equality and Human Rights Commission updating guidelines to reflect the legal definition of sex.
• Mixed Reactions to the Decision: The policy change has elicited varied responses, with some advocating for fairness in women's sports supporting the move, while transgender rights groups express concern over exclusion and discrimination.

For more detailed information, you can read the full article here: Sky Sports Article.

• Lucy Bronze's late header in 74th minute secured a 1-0 win over Manchester United, sealing Chelsea’s sixth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title.
• New manager Sonia Bompastor remains unbeaten in the WSL this season, continuing Emma Hayes’ legacy with a strong defensive performance and mental resilience.
• With the League Cup already secured and an FA Cup final against United in May, Chelsea are chasing a historic domestic treble with already winning the Subway Women's League cup and playing the FA cup finale in May.

Read the full article on BBC Sports