World Cup shows playing field is not level

Madam, – Having just watched the Women’s World Cup football I am convinced the pastime should be a separate sport for the benefit of those wishing to see women playing football, and not a game of men’s football played by women.

Due to the difference between the sexes, it would appear that women lack stature, stamina, speed and control in order to play the game on the same playing field as men.

However, that is not to say the game cannot be improved for spectators in the same way that tennis or golf are adapted with three sets or shorter pars.

A football pitch is a large area to cover, and 90 minutes is a long time to run if one’s physical attributes lack the capacity for the required stamina and speed.

The goals are a formidable size to keep for a six foot six inch tall man and near impossible for a woman of nearly six feet.

The effort required to send the ball to various parts of the field reduces the speed and accuracy of any pass similarly with shooting, as the ball has to be lifted into the air and not hit straight, which has a negative effect on control.

Women’s football would be improved for spectators and become more competitive if some thought was given to reducing the size of the goals, the time for play and indeed the size and weight of the ball.

I fear some substitutions are necessary due to heart rate and not work rate, but the play acting for injury is as good, if not better.

Alan Bell.

Roods, Kirriemuir.