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Sport
Sinead Butler
Jul 27, 2022
Ian Wright gives rousing speech on 'girls playing football' after England reach ...
BBC
Ian Wright delivered a compelling speech where he urged there to be a lasting legacy for women's football after England's victory over Sweden in the Euro 2022 semi-final.
The Lionesses secured their place in the tournament final at Wembley on July 31 with a resounding 4-0 win over the Swedes in front of 28,900 fans at Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield last night (July 26).
It marks England's first major women's tournament final since 2009, so understandably Arsenal legend Ian Wright who has been a vocal advocate for women's football was chuffed to bits with the result and discussed on the BBC what this historical moment means for the women's game.
"Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football just like the boys can in their P.E. after this tournament then what are we doing?" Wright questioned.
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"We've got to make sure that they are able to play and get the opportunity to do this because it's going to inspire a lot of people.
\u201cThank you for saying this @IanWright0 \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Project Football (@Project Football) 1658869699
"If there's no legacy to this, like what we saw with the [2012] Olympics, if there's no legacy after this then what are we doing? Because girls should be able to play," he added.
"This is the proudest I've ever felt of any England side. This is what it's all about."
Wright's impassioned speech delighted footy fans who declared the ex-footballer and pundit a "national treasure."
\u201cWhat @IanWright0 said there is spot on. Growing up the boys didn\u2019t want to play with a girl, the coach of the boys team would never play me. Girls weren\u2019t meant to play. Ellen White is emotional for a reason, the support, interest and growth of the game is amazing. We belong \ud83d\ude4c\u201d— Michelle Owen (@Michelle Owen) 1658869354
\u201cIan Wright hits the nail on the head so, so regularly. Protect this bloke at all costs.\u201d— Joe Crann (@Joe Crann) 1658870410
\u201cIan Wright is a national treasure and should be protected at all costs.\u201d— Stephen Underwood (@Stephen Underwood) 1658908416
\u201cThe fact that Ian Wright has the same amount of interest and passion in the women\u2019s team is actually amazing. At the end of the day, we are England \ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f\u201d— Shauna Yates (@Shauna Yates) 1658907998
\u201cThank you @IanWright0 from a girl who always wanted to play football \ud83d\udc4f\u201d— Jayne Austin (@Jayne Austin) 1658902194
\u201cJust in case anyone needed to see what allyship looks and sounds like.\u201d— Berihan Abbas Donald (@Berihan Abbas Donald) 1658908595
Alex Scott also echoed Wright's sentiment as the former England defender-turned-pundit described feeling "emotional" after the hard work and FA investment led to this historic sporting milestone.
"It is hard for me not to get emotional right now because the amount of investment which has gone into the women’s game is for a moment like this,’ she said.
"For this team to get to Wembley, they are creating something special and deserve every accolade which is coming their way.
"But (after) the FA investment, everyone who has been involved in women’s football has been waiting for this moment. It’s special," Scott added.
Wright and Scott previously went viral for their crazy celebration when England scored in their quarter-final match against Spain so hopefully, the pundit pair will have more to celebrate if the Lionesses win their next big game and bring football home (fingers crossed).
England are through to the Women's Euros final at Wembley on July 31 but who they are to face will be decided in tonight's second semi-final match as Germany takes on France at Stadium MK.
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