FOOTBALL SHORTS

■ ENGLAND’S Lionesses enjoyed a memorable night at the FIFA Awards as Mary Earps won Best Goalkeeper and and Sarina Wiegman Coach of the Year. ‘This is for anyone who has been in a dark place,’ said Manchester United goalkeeper Earps. ‘There is light at the end of the tunnel. To Sarina Wiegman, I have run out of words to say to you. Thank you for believing in me.’ Wiegman was the mastermind behind the Lionesses’ first-ever trophy and is still unbeaten after 29 games in charge.

‘It’s just incredible to be right here and to celebrate women’s football,’ Wiegman said. England’s Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze, Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh were in the FIFPRO Best XI, but Mead narrowly missed out on the Best Player award as Alexia Putellas won for a second year running.

In the men’s awards, World Cup winners Argentina dominated as Lionel Messi won Best Player, Emi Martinez took Goalkeeper of the Year and Lionel Scaloni was named Coach of the Year.

■ ROTHERHAM edged away from the Championship relegation places thanks to a valuable 1-1 draw away to Swansea last night.

Joel Piroe opened the scoring for Swansea with a fine half-volley from just inside the area, but Chiedozie Ogbene’s scruffy second-half equaliser earned Rotherham a deserved point, moving them six clear of 22nd-placed Huddersfield.