Lucy Bronze: Lionesses ‘empowered’ and ‘focused’ after taking FA discussions public ahead of World Cup
England defender Lucy Bronze said the Lionesses are feeling “empowered” ahead of their World Cup opener after releasing a statement addressing the players’ ongoing row with the Football Association over bonus payments and other commercial concerns.
In their statement on Tuesday, the Lionesses said they will pause discussions with the FA on performance-related bonuses until after the Women’s World Cup.
Bronze said: “It’s the first time as a group we sent a message out ourselves.
“Collectively, it was done together and we set our sights on [it]. In that respect, it’s a very empowered player group.”
In their statement on Tuesday, the Lionesses said they will pause discussions with the FA on performance-related bonuses until after the Women’s World Cup.
Bronze said: “It’s the first time as a group we sent a message out ourselves.
“Collectively, it was done together and we set our sights on [it]. In that respect, it’s a very empowered player group.”
Transcript
00:00 Last statement.
00:01 I think the players are feeling very empowered.
00:03 I think it's the first time as a player group
00:07 we've actually ever sent a message out ourselves
00:09 that we've collectively done together,
00:12 that we've collectively done and set our sights on.
00:15 And, yeah, so I think in that respect,
00:19 it's a very empowered player group last night
00:21 and this morning and these past few weeks.
00:25 And, yeah, I feel like we felt it was important
00:27 that we sent a message out
00:28 because there has been some talks
00:30 and there's been talks in the media.
00:31 We want to show that we're focused for the World Cup,
00:34 that that is our main focus.
00:36 However, there are discussions going on.
00:38 There's always discussions going on, to be honest with you.
00:41 I've been part of this kind of leadership role
00:44 and leadership group for many years
00:47 with someone like Steph Horton,
00:48 who has also been part of these processes
00:51 for many, many years as well.
00:53 But I think it's the first time
00:55 that it's been made more public
00:58 and not just our team, other teams as well.
01:00 So I think it was important for us to share our voice,
01:03 that people know that it's something
01:05 that we feel is important to us.