22 February 2020

Chelsea's Beth England dismisses Fabio Capello's call for women to have smaller goals as 'a load of rubbish'

England and Chelsea player Beth England has called former men's team manager Fabio Capello 'disrespectful' following his comments about women's goals needing to be smaller.

Capello was speaking at the Laureus Sports Awards where he said that the pitches are 'too wide' and the goals are 'too big' for women.

The Blues' top goal scorer says she disagrees with Capello and that 'it's a load of old rubbish'.

“The level of the keepers in this league is high, some of them have pulled off phenomenal saves. I think it’s disrespectful to them and what they can reach and their talents," said England.

“Obviously we outfield players want to get better just as goalkeepers do. So if they can reach that extra yard or make that top-corner save, then I think they should stay as they are. I don’t think they should be made smaller for any reason.

“It would make us less than them [men] and we’ve been trying so hard to fight to be as equal as we can, so lessening the goal makes us even more inferior to them. It’s a load of rubbish.”

Chelsea team-mate Erin Cuthbert shared England's sentiments and said: “Then what’s next? Smaller balls? Smaller pitches? Smaller 18-yard boxes?

“It makes the game different and we want it to be as equal and fair as possible. The quality of the goalkeeping coaching available in the women’s game is rising. We are behind the men’s game, but that doesn’t mean we alter things.”

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