Women’s Euro 2025: England v Italy, semi-final news and buildup - live

Key events 52m ago Sport England chair Boardman complains to Ofcom about abuse

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10m ago 06.19 EDT Everton sign Pacheco from Villa. Some WSL transfer news, courtesy of PA Media, which reports that Everton have snapped up the Philippines international full-back Maz Pacheco following the expiry of her contract at Aston Villa. The Ormskirk-born 26-year-old is manager Brian Sorensen’s eighth summer signing and joins the club as they prepare for their first full season of football at Goodison Park. Pacheco, who attended games at Goodison as a youngster, said: “It is amazing to join Everton. To be at such a historic club is an unbelievable feeling. I wanted to stay in the WSL and give it my all.” Share

17m ago 06.12 EDT Grace Clinton was one of England’s spot-kick missers against Sweden but she’s undeterred from taking another should another shootout arise. “That was my first penalty in a shootout and it’s just motivated me to do it again,” the Manchester United midfielder told Sky’s Lionesses podcast. “It was such an amazing experience as a team to go through – the ups and downs have made me believe in every single person. Squads like these don’t last for ever so we just want to … what’s the phrase, take it with both hands? … grab it with both hands.” Share

23m ago 06.06 EDT ITV is to be rewarded for its punt on prioritising an England semi-final among its live picks, with 8m expected to tune in tonight. The broadcaster ceded three quarter-finals to the BBC with the proviso that it got first dibs on any England semi, as if that was ever in doubr. ITV is poised to surge ahead of the BBC in the European Championship ratings battle, with an audience of more than 8 million people expected to watch England’s semi-final against Italy on Tuesday night. ITV gamble pays off with 8 million expected to watch England’s Euro 2025 semi-final Read more Share

34m ago 05.55 EDT Some sad news from the men’s game: the former Wales, Liverpool and Wrexham defender Joey Jones has died aged 70. I can recall watching him in the fourth tier for Wrexham, back in a time when top-flight players would work their way down the leagues again in late-career, and he was a proper, formidable competitor. RIP. Joey Jones, former Liverpool, Wrexham and Wales defender, dies aged 70 Read more Share

41m ago 05.48 EDT Out in sun-kissed Geneva, the Football Supporters Association’s Deborah Dilworth has been talking to Sky in front of a big crowd of fellow England fans about the fine work the FSA has long done in helping travelling supporters negotiate their way round tournaments. And the mood is still firmly confident in England and their manager. “It’s still ‘in Sarina we trust, totally,” she says. “She’s one of the most prolific winners in the game, she got the job done [against Sweden], the substitutes came on at the right time, knew the gameplan and knew what they had too do. “They’ve had a variety of different tests, which is testament to how the whole of women’s football has improved so that’s something to celebrate. The ‘never give up’ attitide is the attitude we want the supporters to have. The whols squad is important in terms of vibes, everyone has an impact everyonee knows their roles and accepts it.” Share

52m ago 05.37 EDT Sport England chair Boardman complains to Ofcom about abuse Chris Boardman, the chair of Sport England, has written an open letter to Ofcom urging it to use its powers to end the abuse of Lionesses and female athletes online. In the letter, he writes: “The abuse faced by these athletes not only causes personal harm but also sends a damaging message to the next generation of girls who aspire to follow in their footsteps. Research on behalf of our This Girl Can campaign has shown a fear of judgment is a huge barrier to women being active, and abuse of our elite athletes online only increases reservations amongst those taking part at a community level … “We also believe that Ofcom has a vital role to play. The Online Safety Act 2023 provides a framework to address illegal and harmful content, including hate speech and misogynistic abuse. We note that Ofcom has now published its initial Codes of Practice, including those relating to illegal harms and the protection of children. These codes place legal duties on in-scope services to assess risks and take proportionate steps to mitigate them.” Share

1h ago 05.30 EDT When we all get round to compiling our teams of the tournament, Cristiana Girelli should figure in the conversation. The seasoned Juventus striker is having a well-deserved Indian summer, having seen the Italian women’s game develop around her during her career. Sophie Downey profiles her here: Girelli has played her entire career in Italy, bridging the gap from amateur to full-time, with Serie A Femminile going fully professional in 2022. She has spent seven seasons with Juventus and finished the last campaign as the league’s top scorer with 19 goals that propelled Le Bianconere to their first title in three years. Italy’s icon Cristiana Girelli takes Le Azzurre to verge of Euro 2025 history Read more Share

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