News

A four-page news round-up closing 2018. England are confirmed as hosts of UEFA Women’s Euro 2021, with eight venues and a Wembley final, the second time The FA have staged the tournament after 2005. The Netherlands take the last European World Cup place, beating Switzerland in the play-off, while Argentina return after twelve years. Ada Hegerberg wins France Football’s first female Ballon d’Or ahead of Pernille Harder and Dzsenifer Marozsan, with Lucy Bronze sixth, and Harder also tops the Guardian’s list of the world’s best hundred players. Nikita Parris becomes the FA WSL’s all-time leading scorer, passing Eniola Aluko’s 36 goals, while Jordan Nobbs is ruled out of the World Cup after anterior cruciate ligament surgery. Further items cover Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations win, Visa’s landmark UEFA sponsorship, Scottish awards and Merseyside managerial changes.