Riise: Axing Olympic hopefuls before game was ‘big mistake’
Hege Riise, the Team GB and England head coach, says it was a “big mistake” that players found out they were not on the Olympics squad shortlist shortly before kick-off in a Women’s Super League game.
It is understood Riise did not send the emails, which left 20-year-old Birmingham goalkeeper Hannah Hampton “in floods of tears” 90 minutes before her side faced Everton earlier this month, according to Birmingham manager Carla Ward, who criticised the “thoughtless” and “ridiculous” timing.
“The timing was not my call, but it was not how we want to work,” Riise said. “That was a big mistake. As soon as we found out, I called both the coaches and Hannah [Hampton] to apologise for the process. That was a mistake that we don’t want to happen again.”
Riise has whittled down a shortlist of 35 players who remain in contention for a spot in the small 18-player Team GB squad for this summer’s Tokyo games.
Before then, her focus will be on next month’s England friendlies against France and Canada and yesterday she named a 24-player Lionesses squad.
Captain Steph Houghton misses out with an Achilles injury. Forward Nikita Parris was also unavailable, because several people have tested positive for Covid-19 at her club side
Lyon. That localised outbreak may yet impact on April 9’s fixture against France in Caen, but it is not yet known how many of the French national side are affected.
Veteran goalkeepers Karen Bardsley and Carly Telford have both been recalled to the squad, while Birmingham’s Hampton misses out.
Chelsea’s versatile youngster Niamh Charles has been called up for the first time and might provide back-up to Lucy Bronze at rightback. Bristol City’s 20-year-old striker Ebony Salmon misses out after her first call-up in February, while there is still no place for inform Manchester United forward Lauren James or Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen.
Houghton’s is the most notable absence for England to deal with. Manchester City’s 32-year-old captain has earned 121 caps and been an ever-present since 2014.
England squad: Goalkeepers Roebuck, Maciver, Telford, Bardsley. Defenders Bronze, Daly, Charles, Williamson, Turner, Bright, Wubben-moy, Stokes, Greenwood.
Walsh, Stanway, Toone, Scott, Nobbs. Kirby, Hemp, Kelly, England, White, Mead.