Casey Stoney Criticises Decision to Suspend Girls Academies While Boys Continue

Girls' academies have not been permitted to open during lockdown while their male counterparts continue to train - a move that has been heavily criticised by Manchester United manager Casey Stoney.

Elite sport can continue during the UK's second lockdown but grassroots sport cannot, meaning WSL academies and regional talent clubs have been suspended for the next four weeks as they do not meet the 'elite' protocols.

However, boys' academies are continuing during lockdown, and as a result there a numerous professional football clubs across the country where boys are permitted to train while girls are not.

Government guidelines define an elite athlete as 'aged 16 or above and on an elite development pathway' - with the FA's ruling on the closure of WSL academies seemingly contradicting this guideline.

“It’s really disappointing,” said Stoney [via the Telegraph]. “For me, they are elite. It should be based on contract hours and the amount they train, rather than whether you’re on a contract or not. It means that our players have another four weeks out of the game, it means their mental wellbeing is affected.

"I class our regional talent club and academy as 'elite', because they're at Manchester United. They're training to become professional players, just like the boys are, but unfortunately it's not seen that way in terms of governance. That's one of the things that has got to change. It's really disappointing, but it's the classification of the academies.

"Legally we can't contract a player until they're 18 in the women's game, but then they have to be classed as grassroots until they're on a contract, so that in itself is a conflict."

Stoney has promoted two players from the academy to the United first team to enable them to continue training during the month of lockdown.

The boys' FA Youth Cup will also continue if two 'elite' clubs are involved - whereas the women's senior competition has been paused due to lockdown.