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Before the 2023 Women’s World Cup final the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, urged women to “push at the doors” of power in their drive for equality. “With men, with Fifa, you will find open doors,” he said. “Just push the doors. I say to all the women – and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home – that you have the power to change.

“Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights. You have the power to convince us men what we have to do and what we don’t have to do. You do it. Just do it.”

A month later, in response to Infantino’s heavily criticised comments, the UK-based Women in Football, which has about 10,000 members, launched Open Doors. It calls on Fifa and other football bodies to mandate diverse leadership in national associations and work towards a 30% female membership of general assemblies and executive committees, the inclusion of independent non-executive members on executive committees, presidential term limits and action on sexism and discrimination in the workplace.

After one year of work with several clubs and federations, Women in Football reflected on the work with a discussion at the House of Lords, where its chair, Ebru Koksal, spoke with the Football Association chair, Debbie Hewitt, about the campaign and the importance of diverse boardrooms.

“Nobody wants the wrong kind of people in any boardroom,” the Women in Football CEO, Yvonne Harrison, says. “What we want is diverse boardrooms with great representation and the good boardrooms have got a skills matrix where you look at what you need for what the organisation is doing or where it’s going and you adjust your board accordingly.

“The key thing with Open Doors is for independent people on boards but let’s also make sure that the people on the boards are also really great people doing the right things and have got a common vision.”

Harrison believes Hewitt is the only independently recruited chair of a federation. “That speaks volumes, doesn’t it,” she says. “You’ve got to make sure it’s the right people and that’s what we’re working on with the European Club Association. We’re supporting senior women who are already working in football internationally, in clubs and in federations, with their professional development through a bespoke leadership programme.”

Why does that matter? “It’s about making sure when women do get into these positions or have the opportunity, they can deliver the best version of themselves. Debbie spoke quite a lot around the importance of having people looking out for you and mentoring and guiding you and that’s what we’re trying to do alongside the advocacy and advisory piece.”

Football governance is not known for having diverse representation in its leadership bodies. Harrison says clubs and federations have been the most receptive to Open Doors. “We have a stronger take-up from clubs and federations,” she says.

“There’s a lot of tact required there and it’s challenging within international bodies. There’s a lot of work to do here in the UK so we spend more of our attention here. We’ve had much more of a take-up from clubs and we’ve got some really exciting news coming over the next couple of months that’s come from our work with clubs and other organisations getting involved.”

Can it be frustrating constantly having to make the case for diversity in the boardroom in football when so many other sectors are further ahead in this space, and society even further? “It is frustrating in one sense,” says Harrison. “We shouldn’t need to look to other sectors where change has been made and where quotas or targets have been introduced. Even in sports generally there have been changes.

“With the UK Code for Sports Governance we’ve seen the representation of women on boards of bodies in receipt of public funding shift massively to the point that some of those targets are not in there any more because they don’t need to be. So, we know it works and we know that sometimes you just have to remind people of why it matters.

“There are brilliant examples of organisations doing it super-well and we often allude to them when we’re talking to new corporate Women in Football members, but football is very traditional. It’s moving, there’s a lot of change that’s happening, particularly within the women’s game, and the growth of the women’s game is making football think very differently. We’re excited about what’s to come but we’ll keep banging the drum.”

Fighting back tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped a remarkable career.

The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she is pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game at the age of 35.

She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes, a reference to her jersey number for club and country, against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

“I did everything I ever wanted to do and more. With this decision, I feel so at peace because I am ready to start my family and I am ready to hang up the boots and allow the next generation to flourish and just relish in the spotlight,” she said afterward. “It’s a good feeling.”

It was her 63rd appearance for the Wave, commemorated by a No 63 jersey given to Morgan in a pregame ceremony. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play.

Before the match, the video scoreboard showed snippets of Morgan’s retirement video, along with highlights from her career. Her four-year-old daughter, Charlie, accompanied her on the field. She had more than 95 family members and friends at the game.

The Wave’s starters posed for a photo imitating Morgan’s famous ‘tea sipping’ celebration, an homage to her celebration of her go-ahead goal to beat England in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup in France.

Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. In club play, Morgan played for the NWSL champion Portland Thorns in the league’s first year and helped the Wave win the Shield, for the league’s best regular season record, in 2023. Morgan played in 224 matches for the US, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth). She was named the US Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

When she subbed off, she fought back tears as she removed her cleats at midfield. During the substitution, a tifo in the supporter’s section read “For Country, Club, Community.”

Despite the nearly 100F heat, a crowd of 26,516 fans filled Snapdragon for Morgan’s farewell match. Among them was San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove, who went to the game straight from his start against the San Francisco Giants.

“Twelve thousand tickets were sold in one day when she announced that this was going to be her last game” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said. “That’s the power of Alex Morgan.”

The North Carolina Courage ultimately won the game, 4-1. Morgan’s penalty was stopped by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy.

But the night was all about celebrating a career.

Like City, PSG go into the second round draw of the Champions League draw and provided another beneficial clash with tough European opponents certain to come.

More than 15,000 fans were at HBF Park to see the European giants face off and it was an entertaining encounter even though our Australian City fans were denied the goals they will have wanted.

City started strongly and pushed the Coupe de France feminine winners back from the opening moments testing Kiedrzynek, who started ahead of summer signing and England number one Mary Earps.

The PSG captain had to be alert first to palm away a deflected strike from Park before stretching to keep out Hemp’s deep cross with Shaw ready to pounce.

City’s place in the Perth International Football Cup final was secured via a penalty shootout victory over Leicester and Shaw wanted another chance from the spot when she appeared to be caught by Eva Gaetino but appeals were waved away.

Summer signing Ayaka Yamashita was the hero in that win over the Foxes and started against PSG, showing her skills on the ball to keep City’s momentum on the attack.

Her opposite number Kiedrzynek was impressing for other reasons, making a string of fine saves, quickly diving at the feet of Shaw and Park before making a superb save to keep out a fierce hit from the Jamaica international.

The pick of her saves came just after the half hour as she made herself big to deny Blindkilde Brown as she raced clear.

But the sides went in level at half-time although Paulina Dudek went close for the French side, just before the break when she poked an effort just wide from a corner.

Both teams made a flurry of changes at the break but the tale of the match remained the same with Kiedrzynek almost single-handedly keeping her side in the game.

A good early stop from Hemp was rudimentary by the Pole’s high standards but that was followed by a breathtaking stop to deny Shaw as she tried to turn in the England winger’s pullback.

Taylor used plenty of substitutes to keep his side fresh and also to protect some of his players from the surprisingly robust challenges for a preseason game.

Substitute Chloe Kelly drew another save from Kiedrzynek after a good run to set her side up for a late twist.

Kerstin Casparij caught Elimibi-Gilbert on the foot and this time the Australian referee had no doubts about pointing to the spot.

Nigeria international Echegini, made no mistake as she stroked her penalty home sending Khiara Keating the wrong way.

Following the suspension of the Cantarrana Trophy due to the torrential rain in Viveiro, which badly affected the pitch at the stadium that was to host the match today, Real Madrid and Deportivo de La Coruña played a warm-up game at the Abegondo Sports Complex in Abegondo. The Whites won 0-2, with goals from Eva Navarro and Oihane, in the last pre-season test before the league opener at home to Espanyol (Friday, 6 September, 8 pm CEST).

The first half was controlled by Madrid, with Olga finding space on the left flank but no clear-cut chances were made. The Galician side tried to attack on the counter and Misa saved well from Millene's shot in the 22nd minute. Athenea had the biggest chance with an effort that was well stopped by the opposition goal on the stroke of half-time.

Madrid rewarded for pressure
Toril reshuffled the pack in the second half. And in the 58th minute, Alba Redondo had a great chance from Olga's cross that was turned behind for a corner. In the ensuing corner-kick, Eva Navarro struck to make it 0-1. The Madridistas continued to press forward and in the 85th minute, it was 0-2. A wonderful cross from the left by Leupolz was headed home by Oihane. 

After decades lost to draconian bans implemented by morally bankrupt institutions that are still allowed to exist, women's football is unmistakably on an upward trajectory. This hard-fought rise is borne out in the increasing figures of registered players, watching fans and transfer fees.

Milene Domingues' move from Fiamma Monza to Rayo Vallecano in 2002 for a sum of €235,000 (at the time worth just under £150,000) stood as the world's most expensive transfer until 2020. Unlike Domingues, Pernille Harder did not boast the highest number of keepy-uppies ever recorded but still persuaded Chelsea to part ways with £250,000.

Over the following years, that high watermark has been shattered so frequently that Harder no longer ranks among the most expensive transfers of all time. Here's a closer look at the deals that have helped the women's game continue to grow.

1. Racheal Kundananji, Madrid CFF to Bay FC, 2024 - £685,000

2. Barbra Banda, Shanghai Shengli to Orlando Pride, 2024 - £581,000

3= Ewa Pajor, Wolfsburg to Barcelona, 2024 - £425,000

3= Mayra Ramirez, Levante to Chelsea, 2024 - £425,000

5. Keira Walsh, Manchester City to Barcelona, 2022 - £400,000

6. Tarciane, Corinthians to  Houston Dash, 2024 - £384,000

7. Lena Oberdorf, Wolfsburg to Bayern Munich, 2024 - £339,000

8. Jill Roord, Wolfsburg to Manchester City, 2023 - £300,000

9. Kyra Cooney-Cross, Hammarby - Arsenal, 2023 - £297,000

10= Lindsey Horan, Portland Thorns to Lyon, 2023 - £254,000

10= Geyse, Barcelona to Manchester United, 2023 - £254,000

Women’s football in England is undoubtedly still on the rise. From sell-out crowds last season, to guarantees of all home fixtures hosted at main stadiums. The Women’s Super League continues to enjoy a meteoric rise as the top tier of the FA’s Women’s Football Pyramid.

It is worth also casting an eye over the emerging successes in other leagues. Let’s have a look at Bristol Rovers in the National League Division One South.

One such example of a club being newly promoted is Bristol Rovers. For many fans of the women’s game, Bristol may be a city exclusively associated with former top flight club Bristol City. However, there is also movement on the other side of the city, over in BS7.

Bristol Rovers gear up for their first season playing in Division One South West of the FA’s Women’s National League. This will happen after being promoted from the South West Regional Women’s Football League’s Premier division.

To further the anticipation surrounding the 2024/25 season for the club, it has also been announced that the team will play their home games at Memorial Stadium. This is Bristol Rovers’ home ground this coming season.

Looking ahead to the club’s team for the upcoming season, they have retained many of their players. They were part of last season’s squad that helped them secure promotion, while also welcoming some exciting new signings.

One such signing is Daisy Ackerman. The forward brings experience from her time at Cheltenham Town and the Arsenal Academy to Bristol Rovers ahead of their first game of the 2024/25 season. They will face AFC Bournemouth, a strong side who finished second in the league in the 2023/24 season. Being interviewed on the Bristol Rovers’ official website, Ackerman said: “The team vision for further progression was impressive.”

This sentiment — that Bristol Rovers is a club with ambitious plans for the future and further progression — can undoubtedly be seen in their signings and their commitment to move the women’s side in line with the men’s, by playing home fixtures at Memorial Stadium. 

While the opening match of the season, set to take place on the 18th August, will undoubtedly offer the newly promoted team a challenge, it is one to watch closely to see how the club’s ambitions will begin to take shape during their first season in the fourth tier of the English Football Pyramid.

The Seattle Reign retired former star Megan Rapinoe’s No. 15 jersey and then capped the celebration with a 1-0 stoppage-time victory over the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League on Sunday night.

Teenager Emeri Adames finally broke through for the Reign seven minutes into stoppage time with a header that bounced off the post and into the goal as Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy tried in vain to stop it.

Afterward, 18-year-old Adames celebrated by striking Rapinoe’s iconic victory pose from the 2019 Women’s World Cup as Rapinoe cheered her on from the stands.

Jaelin Howell came close to scoring for Seattle shortly after entering the game in the 75th minute, but her left-footed shot from out front went just wide. Howell was acquired by the Reign earlier in the week in a trade with Racing Louisville.

The victory was Reign coach Laura Harvey’s 100th in the NWSL.

The weekend’s games were the first for the NWSL after a six-week break in the regular season for the Olympics.

Rapinoe spent her entire NWSL career with the Reign before retiring from soccer last year. Her jersey was the first retired by the club.

Rapinoe joined the Reign in the league’s first season in 2013 and played in 115 regular-season games with 51 goals.

Fans displayed a banner of Rapinoe’s image that read: “You Changed the Game.” Seattle’s Space Needle was lit up in lavender — a nod to Rapinoe’s hair color at the 2019 World Cup — for the occasion.

“Just overwhelmed,” Rapinoe said. “Honestly, the whole weekend, the club’s done such a great job in putting this all together and just to see everyone in lavender, all the No. 15s, all the support, it’s the world to me. Very overwhelming.”

Maya Le Tissier says did not hesitate to accept the captain's armband for Manchester United Women, despite only being 22 years old.

She replaces her England teammate Katie Zelem as captain after the midfielder left United at the end of her contract.

Le Tissier joined the Red Devils from Brighton and Hove Albion in 2022 and quickly became a fans' favourite, scoring twice on her debut against Reading as she went on to become a key part of the team's backline.

Talking to ITV Channel in her first media interview since the announcement, the defender from Guernsey explains: "I was buzzing. I sat down with Marc [Skinner - Manchester United Women's manager] speaking about the previous season and the challenges when he asked me. He said to go away and think about it because obviously it's a big responsibility but straight away I said yes.

"It's kind of crazy to be honest that it's happened so soon. Our previous captain did a fantastic job, I've seen what she had to deal with and she really led by example so I'm just hoping to do the same and I'm really proud to have the opportunity.

"This is a massive club, probably the biggest in the world and it can bring a lot of things, good and bad, so I need to be ready for that." 

Le Tissier has also received praise from her peers, winning the joint Players' Player of the Year Award last season.

That trust will be crucial as she takes on her new leadership role and aims to push United on to an improved performance in the league this campaign.

The defender explains: "This is my third season now so I think it's time to take the next step, I've had that experience of playing in the big games and I've been around the girls for quite a while now.

"The girls know what I'm about, I play with my heart on my sleeve and I'm very committed to the club and training. I'll be there if the girls need me to connect the players to staff.

"This captaincy won't change me at all, otherwise it would show I wasn't ready and I wouldn't have taken it.

"There's a still a long way for me to go with this club and internationally so it's just really exciting to see what the future brings and this is another step that I'm really grateful for.

"We definitely want to improve on last season, especially in the league, and continue with the cup runs."