FA DISMAY AT STADIUMS PICKED FOR WOMEN’S INTERNATIONALS

THE FA have been left unimpressed by the venues chosen for England’s Arnold Clark Cup fixtures later this month, which will see the Lionesses seek to defend their title against South Korea, Italy and Belgium in Milton Keynes, Coventry and Bristol respectively.

The stadiums were selected by tournament organisers Pitch International, who were unable to satisfy the FA’s request that at least one of England’s three games in the round-robin competition take place in London.

Pitch is also responsible for booking teams for the tournament, which have dropped in quality from last year, when Germany, Spain and Canada were England’s opponents. Ticket sales have been modest to date, in contrast to those for England’s friendly against Brazil at Wembley in March, which is the responsibility of the FA and has already sold out.