02 April 2020

Former Arsenal star Alex Scott says female footballers are being 'ignored' during coronavirus crisis

Former Arsenal and England star Alex Scott has said female footballers are being neglected during the current health crisis.

The TV pundit said the men's game had been the focus of attention since the coronavirus outbreak began, particularly after Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta was diagnosed. 

Scott said all the focus in the aftermath was how it impacted on the men's team.

Writing in her column for The Sun, she said: "Gunners boss Mikel Arteta hit the headlines when he contracted Covid-19 three weeks ago and his squad were put into self-isolation.

"The women’s team use the same training ground and it is likely they would have come into contact with Arteta and the men’s team — yet there has been no announcement on how it affected the women’s team."

She added: "We’ve also got to remember that a lot of the female footballers, especially foreign players, share digs together.

"Women’s Super League clubs have a duty to look after those girls because some of them have been left in limbo and unsure whether they can leave the UK to be with their families."

Scott said it was important that WSL players kept themselves in good physical shape and it was therefore vital they were provided with the necesssary training equipment.

"England and Arsenal star Beth Mead, who is recovering from a knee injury, tweeted: 'In need of a watt bike during this difficult time. Currently rehabbing my knee so can’t run so one of these is needed. If anyone can help please reach out'.

"Brighton have set a brilliant example by supplying their first-team players with a bike and exercise equipment — just like the men’s team. Now it’s time for other WSL clubs to step up."

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