Since football was postponed in England in mid-March, there were numerous doubts and issues about the women’s game.
In April, FIFPro published a paper coping with the consequences that the coronavirus pandemic will have for women’s football. The two words ‘existential threat’ were the ones that quickly jumped off the page.
Goal.com also reports that while currently there is not much that anyone can do for women’s football, it is certain that after the coronavirus crisis is resolved, their season will be in serious jeopardy.
AFC Fylde had previously released a statement saying: “Please be in no hesitations that AFC Fylde is fully dedicated to its women’s squad and will ensure it stays a part of the community.”
The club now, only one month later, instead declared the dismantling of their women’s side, who have competed in the third tier since 2016 under the club’s tag.
Reading recently became the first club to furlough a women’s squad into the elite Women’s Super League. Also, the number of semi-professional competition teams have gone down the same path – with others topping up the salary too.
Additional assistance may be obtained from business grants and, with match-day extra expenses such as accommodation, minibuses, gas, catering and more on hold, it leaves certain clubs in far stronger positions than one would originally expect – particularly with many women’s clubs working quite carefully as it is.
