Sarina Wiegman and Beth Mead warned the abuse suffered by professional women footballers is not just restricted to the United States.

U.S. Soccer on Monday released the findings of the year-long investigation, led by former Deputy Attorney General Sally Q. Yates, after over 200 interviews had taken place.

The report stated that over the nearly 10-year history of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), "numerous coaches have verbally or emotionally abused players".

It also found that "several are alleged to have committed serious sexual misconduct during and/or before their time in the League".

England, who won the women's Euros earlier this year, face the USA in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday.

At a press conference ahead of the match, Wiegman said: "My first reaction is that it’s horrible, unacceptable that it's still happening.

"I feel very, very sorry for all the victims and it should stop immediately, I think we all agree on that.

"I think it's a worldwide problem still and it’s just really the time now to all step up and stop these things. Whatever abuse it is, it's horrible and unacceptable."

Mead echoed her manager's sentiment, insisting governing bodies must do more.

"When I found out I was quite sickened by the situation. It's a worldwide problem but women need to be taken seriously a lot more," Mead said.

"I'm very proud of the victims that stood up and said it. People need to start doing better, the US governing body needs to do better, worldwide we need to do better."

Asked if the England team were planning a show of solidarity with their opposition on Friday, Mead added: "We're in contact with the American team and some of the players and we're working on something to show our support for them.

"Nothing's been finalised yet, but we will be doing something."

Mead and her England team-mates have made strides to push on the women's game in the country, with their European glory marking the nation's first major success since the men's team won the 1966 World Cup.

"I would say so, we feel like we've got a good platform to make a difference," Mead, who scored 20 goals and assisted 17 in 19 matches for England in the 2021–22 season, replied when asked if the team felt empowered to make their voices heard.

"We wrote the open letter about P.E. in schools for girls and we want to use our platform for the greater good of the women's game and women's sport in general. It's something we're more confident about but we also have the full support of the FA and everyone involved that helps a lot."

Mead added it was "about time" for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Lionesses, which will also take place at Wembley on Friday.

"We know as players we wouldn’t be here today without the women that have come before us," she said.

"[They're] incredible women. It's nice that we can celebrate what they've done just as much as we've done. It's nice that they've got a voice now."

England captain Leah Williamson will miss Friday's friendly against the United States at Wembley after sustaining an injury in training.

Williamson, who led Sarina Wiegman's team to a remarkable European Championship triumph in July, requires further assessment on the unspecified injury.

Fellow Euro 2022 winners Lotte Wubben-Moy and Nikita Parris have been added to England's squad, the Football Association said, with West Ham defender Lucy Parker withdrawing through injury. Former skipper Steph Houghton remains out of the picture for now, but Wiegman has said the door remains open to her.

The sell-out clash with the reigning world champions will represent a stern test of England's credentials ahead of next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England have picked up just two victories in their last 16 meetings with the USA in all competitions (D2 L12), failing to win any of their last four such games since a 2017 victory in the SheBelieves Cup.

However, England are still yet to lose under Wiegman, winning 20 of their 22 matches since she took charge last year, scoring a total of 118 goals.

England will head to Brighton and Hove Albion's AMEX Stadium to host the Czech Republic next Tuesday after facing the USA.

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall believes years of effort and investment have paid off as the Gunners prepare to shatter the Women's Super League attendance record against Tottenham.

Over 50,000 fans are expected at Emirates Stadium for Saturday's north London derby, as WSL clubs seek to build on the shining success of England's home Euro 2022 triumph.

A record crowd for any European Championship fixture – men's or women's – was set at Wembley when 87,192 spectators saw the Lionesses beat Germany after extra time on July 31.

Now the Gunners are poised for a bumper crowd of their own, and Eidevall was keen to highlight there had been no fudging the numbers with the impressive ticket take-up.

"It's 50,000 sold tickets," he said. "They're not giveaways, they're not discounted, they're sold tickets. I think that's really special, because that means the interest there, it is for real.

"The investment the team has done, but also all the past generations to take us to this stage here, that is phenomenal. We want to make the most of it tomorrow, so it can happen more freely."

Barcelona have completed the signing of Keira Walsh from Manchester City for a world record fee for a female footballer reported to be in the region of £350,000.

Walsh made six appearances as England won the 2022 Women's Euros in July.

The 25-year-old has spent her entire senior career with City, winning one Women's Super League title, three FA Cups and four EFL Cups.

Three-time reigning Spanish champions Barca have now prized her away from Manchester in a deal that far supersedes the previous record, set when Chelsea paid Wolfsburg over £250,000 for Pernille Harder in 2020.

Walsh will link up with her old City team-mate and fellow Lioness Lucy Bronze at Barca, with the defender having made the same move in June.

Georgia Stanway, another City player to star at the Euros, departed for Bayern Munich.

England manager Sarina Wiegman has carried off the UEFA Women's Coach of the Year award after leading the Lionesses to victory at the European Championship.

Wiegman steered England to what was only the nation's second-ever major international honour, the other being the men's victory in the 1966 World Cup final. It saw her win the Euros for the second tournament in a row – previously steering her native Netherlands to glory.

Fresh from naming her first England squad on Wednesday since the Euro 2022 victory, Wiegman was unable to attend the event where she pipped Germany manager Martina Voss-Tecklenburg and Lyon's Sonia Bompastor to the honour.

Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas took the UEFA Women's Player of the Year honour for the second season in a row – becoming the first to do so.

Putellas missed the European Championship due to a knee injury but played a key part in Barcelona's success in 2021-22, securing a domestic double and reaching the final of the Champions League.

The midfielder netted a league-high 18 goals and also finished as top scorer in Europe with 11 goals, though her team lost to Lyon in the final.

Pep Guardiola heaped praise on England's "incredible" Lionesses as he suggested their Euro 2022 triumph has put more pressure on Gareth Southgate's team ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Sarina Wiegman's side ended 56 years of major tournament hurt for England with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Germany in last month's Wembley final, going one better than the Three Lions did in their Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy on the same ground.

The Lionesses sparkled throughout the tournament on home soil, scoring a remarkable 22 goals in six matches on their way to the title.

According to Manchester City boss Guardiola, their achievements should serve not only as an inspiration to women across the country, but also as a marker for their male counterparts.

"England have to be so proud, first of all, for these incredible women," he told BBC Sport.

"I had the feeling every season, women's football, the sport of women, is rising and getting better.

"It's so nice for our daughters and for the next generations, what they have done. And thanks to all of you, because you pay more attention to what they do, and that's why they get a final in their home country, at Wembley.

"[It was] a special moment, and I think it will put pressure on the men for the World Cup, and that is good, this is good."

Guardiola's praise comes in the same week as the retirements of two Lionesses legends, with the team's record goalscorer Ellen White and second-most-capped player Jill Scott both hanging up their boots as European champions.

Southgate's side will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before rounding off Group B by facing the United States and Wales. 

Sarina Wiegman has declared it is time for England to get 'back to business' after naming her first Lionesses squad since steering the team to victory at the European Championships.

England tackle Austria and Luxembourg as the European champions look to seal qualification for next year's World Cup, with further glory targeted after clinching a maiden honour last month.

The Lionesses are still riding the high from the success against Germany at Wembley, with focus on the women's game increasing significantly, but, while that triumph is fresh in the memory, Wiegman has called upon the squad to focus.

"It only feels like yesterday since we were celebrating at Wembley, but we have to get straight back to business," she said in a press conference.

"We have a big target in front of us this month to book our place at the World Cup, and we have to set aside our amazing memories of this summer for the moment."

Wiegman will be without two experienced figures in the squad, with record-goalscorer Ellen White and Jill Scott, the second-most capped player in Lionesses' history, both announcing their retirements this week 

"It is hard to describe their impact in words. They have been with the team for such a long time, impacting the game with the national team and club teams in England so much," Wiegman added.

"I've only worked with them for a year, I'm disappointed it is not longer, but I understand and respect their decision. We are so proud of them and thankful for what they've brought to the game. I hope they stay in football in another role."

Chloe Kelly, scorer of England's winning goal in the final, and Fran Kirby have both been omitted from the squad through injury, while Hannah Hampton is out amid "personal issues" - tallying together for five changes from the Euro 2022 squad.

Sandy MacIver, Lauren James, Jordan Nobbs, Katie Zelem and Ebony Salmon have all been called-up in their place.

England squad

Mary Earps, Sandy MacIver, Ellie Roebuck, Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jordan Nobbs, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh, Katie Zelem, Bethany England, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Beth Mead, Nikita Parris, Alessia Russo, Ebony Salmon.

Jill Scott has become the second member of England's Euro 2022-winning squad to announce her retirement in as many days, with the nation's second-most-capped player hanging up her boots at the age of 35.

The midfielder, the only member of the victorious Lionesses squad who remained from their previous final defeat in 2009, brings the curtain down on an 18-year career just weeks on from beating Germany at Wembley.

Scott follows England's record goalscorer Ellen White in announcing she is bowing out of the game, revealing her decision in a lengthy feature penned for The Players' Tribune.

"Two things have always been true about me," the former Manchester City stalwart wrote. "I've always been stubborn, and I've always loved football. It's been in my blood ever since I was five years old. 

"If you would have told me that I'd live to see 90,000 people packed into Wembley Stadium for a women's European final? And that I'd be playing in it? Impossible."

"I'm retiring from football. And I'm leaving with a gold medal swinging from my neck."

Scott began her senior career with hometown club Sunderland in 2004, but it was a move to Everton in 2006 that saw her establish herself as one of the English game's key talents.

She won FA Women's Premier League Cup and FA Women's Cup honours before a move to Manchester City in 2013, where she helped the club become one of the dominant forces in the Women's Super League, winning in 2016.

At international level, Scott made her debut against the Netherlands as a teenager in August 2006 and went on to win 161 caps across a 16-year Lionesses career, and a further nine caps for Great Britain.

She was a member of the 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup squads, making the semi-finals in the latter two, as well as the 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022 European Championship squads.

Ellen White has announced her retirement at the age of 33, finishing her career as England women's all-time leading goalscorer.

Manchester City forward White was in the first England women's team to lift a major trophy when she was part of the squad that won the Euro 2022 title at Wembley Stadium in July, beating Germany 2-1 in the final.

She came through the Arsenal academy before leaving to join Chelsea in 2005, where she spent three seasons before joining Leeds United.

During her time at Leeds, she scored on her England debut in a 3-0 win over Austria in March 2010.

White returned to Arsenal later in the year and stayed for three years, winning three league titles and two FA Cups in a successful spell.

She then spent time with Notts County and Birmingham City, before making the move to City. In February 2021, she became the all-time record goal scorer in the Women's Super League.

White became England's record scorer when she netted a hat-trick in a 20-thrashing of Latvia last year, and her shining moment came when she helped the Lionesses to European glory on home soil. She scored twice across six appearances in the tournament.

She scored 52 goals for her country, having won 113 caps.

In a statement on social media, White said: "This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but one that I know is the right decision for me.

"And this is my time to say goodbye to football and watch the next generation shine. It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this game.

"In particular playing for England has and always will be the greatest gift. My dreams came true on July 31, winning the Euros and becoming a European champion.

"Finally, let’s use the momentum from the Euro's win to make sure that every young person in all communities has the opportunity to play and feel connected to all England football teams."

Beth Mead, Lena Oberdorf and Alexia Putellas have been announced as the final three contenders in the running to win the 2022 UEFA Women's Player of the Year accolade.

The trio had been named on the initial shortlist of 22 players, which has now been whittled down to just three names ahead of next week's award ceremony in Istanbul.

Arsenal attacker Mead is rewarded for an impressive showing at the Women's Euros, where she was crowned Player of the Tournament after leading the scoring charts in England's triumph on home soil.

Oberdorf won the Young Player of the Tournament award after helping Germany to another final, having also played a crucial role in Wolfsburg winning the domestic double last season.

Spain star Putellas was absent from the tournament through injury, but the 2021 Ballon d'Or Feminin winner enjoyed the most prolific season of her club career thanks to 34 goals in Barcelona's clean sweep of Spanish trophies in 2021-22.

Wolfsburg and Germany striker Alex Popp narrowly missed out on the top three, while Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona and Spain finished fifth in the voting.

UEFA also announced the Women's Coach of the Year nominees on Wednesday, with England coach Sarina Wiegman joined by Sonia Bompastor and Martina Voss-Tecklenburg of Lyon and Germany respectively.

England's triumph at Euro 2022 was "inspirational" and the tournament showcased the significant improvement of women's football, according to Finland great Laura Kalmari.

Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses ended 56 years of major tournament hurt for England with a 2-1 victory over Germany last month, with Chloe Kelly's close-range finish in extra time proving decisive in front of 87,192 people at Wembley Stadium, setting a new attendance record for any European Championship match (men or women).

England scored 22 goals throughout the tournament – also a record for a men's or women's European Championship – as they sparkled on home soil, while Wiegman became the first coach to lift the trophy with two different sides after triumphing with the Netherlands in 2017.  

Speaking exclusively to Stats Perform ahead of Wednesday's Super Cup between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt in Helsinki, Kalmari lauded England's achievements. 

"It was a very big tournament, and it has been amazing. England did very well, they had the crown. Very inspirational to the young boys and women," Kalmari said.

"England were very good, and you can see the results they have done in the country. Many club teams are working for the players and that is the result, that you become a top country."

UEFA revealed after the final that a total of 574,875 fans attended matches throughout the tournament, smashing the previous record of 240,055 set at the 2017 finals.

The tournament has been praised as a potential landmark moment for the women's game, an assessment with which Kalmari agrees.

"It was just an amazing tournament," she added. "The level of the games has developed very much. You see all the countries getting better all the time.  

"We need to show it to more people and keep going with our hard work.

"Equal game means that everybody has the same opportunity, that we don't think it is a boys' or girls' game. Everyone has to have the same opportunity to be what they want to be."

Having made 130 appearances for Finland between 1996 and 2011, scoring 41 times, Kalmari is among the most decorated players in her country's history, but insists she is not envious of the those playing at a time of increased recognition for the women's game.

"[I'm] not jealous, I am so happy that it is going further. It takes time, but I know that it is very important to win a strong battle and now we are starting to see the results in so many countries," she added. 

"So many countries are working so hard for women's football and so many clubs, and you can see the results are there."

England Women have rocketed to fourth place in the FIFA rankings after winning Euro 2022 – but they still trail Sweden and Germany, two of the teams they beat on the way to glory.

The list continues to be headed by World Cup winners the United States, who are due to face England in an October friendly at Wembley.

Germany climb above Sweden to take over second place after reaching the European final, but the Swedes hold a narrow lead over England.

That is despite England thrashing Sweden 4-0 in the semi-finals of the Women's Euros, before going on to beat Germany 2-1 after extra time in the final.

England were eighth in the rankings prior to winning the European title for the first time but have vaulted above France, the Netherlands, Canada and Spain.

Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory, repeated the feat this year as manager of England and is set to be offered an improved contract by the Football Association ahead of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Brazil remain ninth after winning the Copa America Femenina, beating Colombia in the final, while Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions South Africa nudged up four places to 54th on the list.

England and the United States are set to pack out Wembley in a tantalising October clash between the Euro 2022 and Women's World Cup winners, hailed by Sarina Wiegman as "the perfect game".

News of the planned October 7 fixture arrived two days after England completed their European triumph in front of 87,192 spectators at the national stadium in London, beating Germany 2-1 in a final that went to extra time.

It was a record crowd for a European Championship game, men's or women's, and the feverish support for the women's in England looks set to guarantee another full house.

The US women's side beat England 2-1 in the 2019 World Cup semi-finals, and the two teams are expected to be among the trophy challengers at next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

England still have work to do to be absolutely sure of their place in that tournament, but a point away to Austria on September 3 or a home win over Luxembourg three days later would make sure. In the highly unlikely event that England miss out on an automatic place, the USA game would have to be cancelled or postponed.

England boss Wiegman said: "It would be the perfect game for our squad to meet another strong team after so many tough games in the Euros. It is good we enjoy the moment we are in after this wonderful summer, but we know we still have to work to do to take the next step forward."

USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski is relishing the trip, saying: "This is exactly the kind of match we need at exactly the right time in our World Cup preparations so we can test ourselves against a very talented England team.

"I saw England play live at the Euros, and I'm looking forward to an amazing atmosphere at Wembley and another big event for women's soccer on October 7."

Germany dominated the team of the tournament for the Women's Euro 2022 despite losing 2-1 to England in Sunday's Wembley final.

Both teams had won every match en route to a highly anticipated decider at England's national stadium in front of a record crowd for a European Championship match, with 87,192 in attendance.

An extra-time winner from Chloe Kelly proved the difference as the Lionesses claimed their first major title, dealing rivals Germany their first defeat in nine Women's Euros finals.

Beth Mead was forced off in the final but had still done enough to be named player of the tournament, also edging the top scorer award on assists ahead of Alexandra Popp – who missed the match following an injury in the warm-up.

Yet there was room for both superstar performers in the official team of the tournament.

Mead was among four England players, with goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Leah Williamson and midfielder pass master Keira Walsh each also recognised.

Meanwhile, Germany had five players included; along with Popp, defenders Giulia Gwinn and Martina Hegering made the cut, as did young player of the tournament Lena Oberdorf.

Next to Mead and Popp in the front three was Klara Buhl, even though coronavirus kept her out of both the semi-finals and the final.

France were beaten by Germany in the last four and were represented by defender Sakina Karchaoui, while Spain lost to both finalists but still had Aitana Bonmati make the XI.

Women's Euro 2022 team of the tournament:

Mary Earps (England); Giulia Gwinn (Germany), Leah Williamson (England), Martina Hegering (Germany), Sakina Karchaoui (France); Keira Walsh (England), Lena Oberdorf (Germany), Aitana Bonmati (Spain); Beth Mead (England), Alexandra Popp (Germany), Klara Buhl (Germany).

Sarina Wiegman was the "missing puzzle piece" England required to get over the line and win a major tournament, former striker Lianne Sanderson has told Stats Perform.

England Women landed their first major title on Sunday with a 2-1 victory against Germany at Wembley in the European Championship final.

In doing so, Wiegman became the first manager to win the tournament with two different nations, having previously gone all the way with the Netherlands in 2017.

Wiegman, who officially took over as head coach last September, has a record of 12 wins from 12 matches at the Women's Euros.

Sanderson herself went close to winning the competition in 2009, a substitute as England tasted defeat to Germany in the final.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea player, who earned 50 caps for her country, believes Wiegman deserves huge credit for helping the Lionesses end their wait for major silverware.

"I genuinely believe she's the missing puzzle piece," Sanderson said. "She's done it in back-to-back tournaments, both times on home soil.

"You have to have the right players, but also the blend of a good manager, and I think she's shown that.

"A lot of the players said that she didn't really draw upon her experience with the Netherlands, that she wanted to leave it in the past. But the players have been fantastic."

Wiegman settled on a winning formula across England's six tournament matches as they became the first team to name the same starting XI in every match.

The Dutchwoman regularly got the big calls correct, not least in the final as both goalscorers – Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly – were introduced from the substitutes' bench.

Indeed, seven of England's 22 goals came via substitutes when excluding own goals – only Germany (eight in 2009) have scored more in a single edition of the Women's Euros.

And in the view of Sanderson, that decision-making is why Wiegman deserves such high praise.

"Everybody knew their roles and responsibilities," Sanderson said. "That was pretty evident. At times, I thought we should mix up the team, like against Northern Ireland.

"There were times where I thought she'd play Alex Greenwood instead of Rachel Daly [at left-back]. But she's the only manager that's kept the same side and that proved the correct call.

"Last year in the men's [Euro 2020], everybody tried to pick the team. I thought Jack Grealish should be playing, then he didn't play in the final.

"We always say we're all the England manager when it comes to tournaments. But ultimately, that's why they get paid the big money. That's why they're in the positions they're in.

"I genuinely wish she was there when I was there because I think she's been a major, major catalyst in this. And she's not even been there a year."

England's triumph has been hailed as a landmark moment for women's football in England, with the tournament attracting record attendances.

More than 87,000 spectators were present at Wembley on Sunday, and Sanderson believes the perception of women's football has already completely changed.

"I've been so thrilled and blessed to be at all the games for England. I think that yesterday shows you where the women's game is at, where it's going to be," she said.

"It is massive for the women's game. But it's massive for football in this country. It's our first major trophy win [for the men or women] since 1966.

"A lot of people were sceptical. They've got nothing to say now because those people that have those dinosaur mentalities will get left behind, and I just think it's absolutely incredible."