England manager Sarina Wiegman has raised concerns over some of the “dangerous” pitches in women’s football.
Real Madrid were heavily criticised for the state of their pitch when they hosted Arsenal in the Champions League last week, with Ian Wright saying it was a “f------ disgrace”.
The surface at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium was affected by heavy rainfall in Madrid, with large areas of the pitch covered in mud. Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz was forced off with an injury in the second half after losing her balance on the boggy surface.
The issues with the Spanish side’s pitch came after Chelsea and Manchester City played at Derby County’s Pride Park, which was described as “not fit for a final” by Erin Cuthbert and Millie Bright.
Wiegman said the conditions some of her England players were forced to endure in Madrid were dangerous and insisted they deserve better.
“Of course that was really disappointing,” Wiegman said. “The weather was horrible there. You would hope they would play at Bernabeu. You want better pitches. There have been some moments now where the pitches were really poor and a little bit dangerous too.
“We need to keep working on these things and get players on pitches that are really good that they can show their performances at the highest level but also takes away risks of injuries.”
Wiegman also said talks between her players and the Football Association around bonuses for this summer’s Euros are progressing well, contrary to reports they had reached an “impasse.”
“I was a bit surprised about the article,” Wiegman said. “From my view, what I’ve heard from it – and I’m not involved in those conversations – is we’re going in the right direction. And I hope we keep going and we get to an agreement very quickly because that brings calmness before a tournament.”
Telegraph Sport understands talks between senior England players and the FA have been positive and that, at this stage, both parties do not envisage any issues.
Wiegman was speaking after announcing her 25-player squad for next month’s back-to-back Nations League games against Belgium.
The England manager handed a first senior call-up to Brighton midfielder Maisie Symonds following long-term injuries to Laura Blindkilde Brown and Ruby Mace. There was also a recall for Symonds’ Brighton team-mate Fran Kirby as well as Beth Mead, who withdrew from the last squad because of injury.
“I’m delighted to see [Kirby] fit and that she is playing,” Wiegman said. “She brings a lot of experience and of course great vision in the game. It’s great to have her back.”
There was also a recall for Manchester City goalkeeper Khiara Keating, whose last senior call-up came eight months ago.
“We have four very good goalkeepers in the squad. Hannah [Hampton] and Mary [Earps] are really competing for the number-one position. They’re both world-class. They both bring a little bit different things, but that makes it really hard. We haven’t decided. If we make the decision, we first we have the conversations with them. Then we move forward.”
Elsewhere, Tottenham’s Jess Naz was omitted from the squad, with the forward having struggled for form this season.
“I had a conversation with [Naz] and of course she is disappointed. She is working hard to turn around that form.
“You know in some moments things go really well but then in others you just have to hope things go well and keep doing the right things. That is what she is doing.
“The competition up front is really high. That is good for the players but sometimes it gives players disappointments as well.”
England Women’s squad
Goalkeepers: Mary Earps (Paris St-Germain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), Khiara Keating (Manchester City), Anna Moorhouse (Orlando Pride).
Defenders: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), Jess Carter (Gotham), Niamh Charles (Chelsea), Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), Lucy Parker (Aston Villa), Millie Turner (Manchester United), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Grace Clinton (Manchester United), Fran Kirby (Brighton), Jess Park (Manchester City), Maisie Symonds (Brighton), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Chelsea).
Forwards: Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Brighton), Alessia Russo (Arsenal).
