.png)
4 hours ago
1
An alliance of 52 Women’s National League clubs who oppose plans for Women’s Super League’s academy sides to be added to the third tier of the English pyramid have written to the Football Association to call for a vote on the matter.
The clubs, which represent a more than two-thirds majority of the 72 FAWNL clubs that compete in tiers three and four of the pyramid, believe the competition’s rules dictate that they are entitled to call for a special general meeting about the proposals.
The Guardian revealed in May that the FA’s plans had received the approval of the FAWNL board and were to be reviewed by higher decision-making bodies; the FA board would need to ratify any changes, with a final decision expected in July, in the hope that the revamp of the FAWNL can come into force from the summer of 2027.
Manchester City agree deal to sign Niamh Charles from Chelsea
Show
Manchester City have agreed a £500,000 deal to sign the England full-back Niamh Charles from Chelsea, the Guardian understands, with the transfer expected to be completed soon.
The 26-year-old, who has 34 senior international caps for the Lionesses, has been with Chelsea since 2020 and has one year remaining on the three-year contract she signed in 2024.
She has helped Chelsea win five Women's Super League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups, but is now set to move to the new WSL champions to bolster their defence ahead of a Champions League campaign. Charles plays primarily as a left-back but is also experienced as a right-back, as well as having played as a winger earlier in her career.
Her imminent arrival in Manchester comes as the Spain left-back Leila Ouahabi exits the club at the end of this month when her contract expires, and with Chelsea having signed the former Arsenal left-back, Katie McCabe. Tom Garry
Photograph: Sean Walsh/Shutterstock Editorial
However, there is now a significant majority of clubs in the divisions involved who are against the plans and they have expressed concerns about the way the proposals have been adopted by the board, criticising the consultation process and now calling for a vote. A letter, signed by 52 clubs, was sent to the FA on Thursday morning. The FA has been contacted for a response.
A representative of the alliance, a group of clubs acting on behalf of FAWNL clubs, told the Guardian: “Together with the vast majority of clubs within tiers three and four of the FAWNL we feel betrayed by those that are supposed to represent us.
“Parachuting in academy teams filled with young players to compete against established women’s teams is a disaster waiting to happen – injuries, fixture back logs and venue availability. Teams have fought for promotion for the privilege of playing at this level through the hard work of players, officials and volunteers.
“Because the WSL are unable to get their own house in order, the FAWNL are bending over backwards to keep them happy placing their academy teams straight into the tier-three Northern and Southern Premier decisions despite overwhelming objections and concerns.”
