England & USA in discussions over Wembley show of support following abuse report

Beth Mead has confirmed that England are in discussions with the USA over preparing a show of support when the pair meet at Wembley following the release of Sally Yates' report into abuse within US women's soccer.

A year-long, independent report published on Monday found verbal and emotional abuse and sexual misconduct to be 'systematic', and spanning across 'multiple teams, coaches, and victims' within US women's soccer.

England and the USA go head to head at Wembley in an international friendly on Friday 7 October. It will be the USA's first fixture since the release of the report.

"We're in contact with the American team and some of the players, we're working on something to show our support for them," said Mead. "Nothing's been finalised yet but we will be doing something."

The report found that clubs, the NWSL and US Soccer failed to put basic safeguarding measures in place to protect players from abusive coaches.

Both Mead and England boss Sarina Wiegman labelled the abuse issues highlighted in the US soccer report a 'world wide' problem.

"When I found out I was quite sickened by the situation," said Mead. "It's a world wide problem. Women need to be taken seriously a lot more. Very proud of the victims that stood up and said it. People need to start doing better. The US governing body need to be doing better. Worldwide we need to be doing better."

"My first reaction is that's horrible, unacceptable that it's still happening and we're very, very sorry for all the victims and it should stop immediately of course, we all agree on that," added Wiegman. "I think it's a worldwide problem still and it's the time now that we all step up and stop these things, whatever abuse it is because it's just horrible."