WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

What a week for the WSL. Chelsea clinched their sixth straight WSL title with a gritty 1-0 midweek win over Manchester United; Lucy Bronze’s header sealing the deal at Leigh Sports Village. The Blues’ grip on the WSL continues under Sonia Bompastor, but the season isn’t over yet: they’ll face United again in the FA Cup final, with a domestic treble on the line.

Despite their midweek loss, Manchester United secured third place and a Champions League return, coming from behind against City on Sunday to slam the door on their rivals’ European hopes. It’s only United’s second time in Europe, but it’s a massive step for a club with eyes on winning the WSL by 2028. 

And for the first time ever, the WSL welcomes a fully independent club: London City Lionesses. No men’s team backing or budgets, just vision, grit, and Michele Kang’s wallet. The side held their nerve on the final day to clinch promotion, holding Birmingham City to a 2-2 draw and beating them to promotion by a single point.

Six titles, a Euro return, and a new name in the big league. Not bad for one week.

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⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

1. Kirsty Hanson scored with a long-range rocket past Zinsberger for Villa’s second goal.

2. Lucy Bronze got the title-winning header against Man United

3. Grace Clinton climbed high to get on the end of Mannion’s cross to put United back in the game.

4. Laia Aleixandri - Tullis-Joyce couldn’t get anywhere near this curler, which started off City’s scoring.

5. Katja Snoeijs helped Everton on their way to a Merseyside Derby win.

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: London City Lionesses lift the Championship trophy, winning promotion to the WSL, and Michele Kang shows us how to jump without leaving the ground.

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 21

• Aston Villa 5-2 Arsenal Women (Highlights)

• Manchester United 0-1 Chelsea (Highlights)

• Liverpool 0-2 Everton (Highlights)

• Manchester United 2-2 Manchester City (Highlights)

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Leicester City (Highlights)

• Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea (Highlights)

• West Ham United 2-3 Aston Villa (Highlights)

AS IT STANDS

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🐺 Wolves Women’s promotion dream was over before it began; the club never applied for a Championship spot. Players found out after their final game that, even if they’d topped the league, the club hadn’t submitted the paperwork for promotion. The squad, who finished second, say they feel “devastated” and “let down,” with many questioning the club’s ambition for the women’s team. Fans and staff are demanding answers, but for now, the message is clear: progress in women’s football still isn’t a given. Read more

🩺 FIFA will fund a major UK study into whether there’s a link between ACL injuries and the menstrual cycle in women’s football. The year-long Kingston University research follows a spike in serious knee injuries, aiming to better protect players. Read the full story

🇫🇷 Paris FC stunned PSG to win their first-ever Coupe de France Féminine. It’s a massive moment for the underdogs, who held PSG to a 0-0 before winning 5-4 on penalties. Full story (Le Monde, FR)

🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland and Birmingham City defender Louise Quinn has announced her retirement from professional football at the end of the 2024-25 season. Quinn, 34, earned 121 caps, scored 16 international goals, and starred at the 2023 World Cup. Read the full story

👀 England’s blind women’s team lifted the IBSA Tri-Nations Cup after beating Japan and Germany in Hereford. Formed just last year, the squad have claimed their first major trophy and now targets the World Championships. Read the full story

🔥 Chicago Red Stars have sacked head coach Lorne Donaldson just six weeks into the NWSL season. Masaki Hemmi takes over as interim boss after a poor run of results, as the club looks to steady the ship. Read the full story

🥤 Pepsi has signed Alexia Putellas and Lauren James as part of a new campaign to boost visibility and investment in women’s football. The move is part of a wider trend of big brands backing the women’s game. Read the full story

🏴 A £1m legacy fund has been announced to celebrate Cymru’s first-ever appearance at the Euros. The fund will boost grassroots football facilities across Wales and aims to inspire the next generation. Read the full story

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING

→ Quiet rise of rookies shows benefit of NWSL’s bold decision to ditch draft – The impact of scrapping the draft is being seen in real time

→ English FA’s ban on transgender women contrasts with history of inclusion in women’s football – How a policy that affects 0.0007% of registered players undermines the fundamental values of football

🔍 IN FOCUS

The FA’s Trans Ban

Football’s always talked a big game on inclusion. But from 1 June, that promise has a new asterisk: the FA will ban transgender women from playing in women’s football at any level in England, following a Supreme Court ruling that redefined “woman” in law.

What happened?

• Until April 2025: Trans women could play under strict criteria, including hormone limits.

• 11 April: FA tightens those rules further, but still allows some trans women to play.

• 16 April: Supreme Court rules “woman” means sex at birth under the Equality Act.

• 30 April: Scottish FA announces a full ban on trans women in football.

• 1 May: FA announces a full ban on trans women from 1 June 2025.

Why it matters: 

• Around 20–30 (0.0007% of) grassroots players are affected in England, none at the pro level.

• For trans women and their teams, it’s not just about football, it’s about belonging. Clubs like Hackney Women FC and Goal Diggers FC say the ban “actively excludes” their community, and players are already organising to resist or defy the new rules.

• The FA says affected players can access free therapy and are encouraged to stay involved as coaches or officials, but for many, that’s a slap in the face and misses the point completely.

• Critics, including players and campaigners, say the decision is a direct hit to the sport’s reputation for LGBTQIA+ inclusion and will ripple through grassroots clubs, families, and local communities.

Our take: The FA’s blanket ban feels like an easy way out of a complicated situation. This is about who gets to belong in football, and we firmly believe there is, and should always be, space for everyone, including trans players. If you want to support trans players, you can sign Football vs Homophobia’s petition calling on the FA to keep trans women playing.

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

MANAGER MOVES

→ Rehanne Skinner has signed a new contract to keep her as team manager at West Ham until summer 2026.

→ Stephan Lerch has returned to VfL Wolfsburg as Head Coach, where he previously held the role from 2017 to 2021.

RUMOUR HAS IT:

→ Andreia Jacinto's contract with Real Sociedad is up this summer; she’s been linked to Atlético and several WSL clubs.

→ Canadian international Vanessa Gilles (currently on loan at Lyon from Angel City FC) is reportedly close to signing a permanent deal with FC Bayern.

👟 KIT DROP

Club Level Collective is the indie, queer-owned brand shaking up women’s football merch. Think clever slogans, bold designs, and zero interest in playing it safe. Their “Renée Slegers Era Is Here” sweatshirt is a standout tribute to Arsenal’s new boss, while the “Lesbian Super League” cord hat is already a cult favourite. The rest of the line-up is just as sharp: from the “In Russo We Trust” tee to a mix of playful tops and accessories, every piece is made for fans who want more from their merch. It’s all about celebrating women’s football with a bit of attitude. No bland badges or boring basics here. Check out the collection →

adidas x F.C. Copenhagen Women: Not Your Average Debut. Thirty players, thirty bespoke shirts. For their first season, F.C. Copenhagen Women teamed up with adidas and artist Amanda Lydert to create one-of-one jerseys, each stitched with poetry, bold blue layers, and claw-marked trefoils. It’s personal, it’s fierce, and it’s exactly the kind of energy the F.C. Copenhagen Women’s team deserves.
See the full drop →

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

BallerFC x Signature Brew Haggerson - Last day of the WSL!
From 12:00, Arsenal vs Man U, plus Final Score style check-ins to other live games
More info

Euro 2025 at Big Penny Social (London)
The countdown is on to the Women’s Euros, and Big Penny Social will be screening every England match live on their giant screen, with electric vibes and top-tier entertainment to match.⁠ 🎟️ Tickets for England games are live and just £6.50, including a house drink and entertainment!⁠

→ Know an event we should shout about? Hit reply.

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Women's Super League
Monday 5 May
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Arsenal (16:00, Sky Sports)

Saturday 10 May
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace (12:30, YouTube)
Leicester City vs West Ham United (12:30, YouTube)
Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur (12:30, YouTube)
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion (12:30, YouTube)
Arsenal vs Manchester United (12:30, YouTube)

Women's FA Cup Final
Could Chelsea win the treble?
Sunday 18 May
Chelsea vs Manchester United (13:30, BBC One, BBC iPlayer)

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

More Women Working in Football

• Unit Production Manager (Football) | Little Dot Studios | Apply by 6 May

• Finance Manager - Football Operations (Fixed Term) | Arsenal | Apply by 11 May

• Platform Architect | The Football Association | Apply by 11 May

• Academy Football Analyst Student Placement | West Ham United | Apply by 12 May

• Brand Experience Manager | Tottenham Hotspur | Apply now

More women watching, playing and working in football