England manager Sarina Wiegman has said it is “really disappointing” that the Ballon d’Or ceremony is once again clashing with the women’s international break, meaning nominated players and coaches will not be able to attend the ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
England trio Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp all made the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin while Wiegman has also been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.
Barring James, who is out injured, the rest will be busy preparing for Tuesday’s night’s friendly against South Africa while the ceremony takes place.
England faced an identical situation last year when the ceremony clashed with their pivotal Nations League clash against Belgium, which meant a quartet of players, including Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps, could not attend.
“Of course, that’s really disappointing, because that’s a moment to celebrate women’s football and to come together as a whole community in the women’s football game, and the whole football world,” Wiegman told a news conference on Monday.
“You want to be there but we have a job to do, and we’re here. It would be really helpful if that [the ceremony] could be planned on another date.”
It’s a predicament other countries find themselves facing too.
Front runner and holder Aitana Bonmatí will attend the ceremony following her exclusion from Spain’s roster for their friendlies against Canada and Italy. Spain boss Montse Tomé said the 26-year-old was being rested after she played almost 60 matches last season for Barcelona and Spain.
Five United States women’s national team players and head coach Emma Hayes are also nominated but is unlikely any will be in attendance due to the Olympic gold medallists facing Argentina in a friendly on Wednesday evening in Louisville, Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Wiegman confirmed that she will make changes for the clash against South Africa after the Lionesses fell to a humbling 4-3 defeat to Germany on Friday at Wembley.
Wiegman admitted her team were “exposed” defensively as Germany scored thrice in the opening 30 minutes. While she did not reveal the changes she would make, the Dutch coach said to expect rotation in her starting XI.
“You will see different faces tomorrow,” Wiegman said. “You want more information, but I am not going to tell you. We want to try out things; we want to see connections.”
