Women’s Football: England coach Hope Powell accuses Swiss player of diving in the match
Hope Powell, the coach of England’s women football national team, is not happy with the actions of Swiss player Ramona Bachmann. Hope Powell has blamed Bachmann for diving in order to get Rachel
Brown sent off in the two teams’ World Cup playoff match.
Despite the fact that England won the match 3-2, Powell was visibly upset with the incident that led to the sending off. After the match Powell expressed her views very bluntly and told the media
that some action must be taken by the sport’s governing authorities in punishing Bachmann for her role in the sending off of goalkeeper Brown.
Hope Powell is of the view that the Swiss striker Ramona Bachmann dived in and Brown did her job as a goalkeeper by blocking her. Powell labeled Bachmann’s actions as shameful. Later on in the interview the 43-year old coach
expressed her views about the incident and told the media that the English Football Association should appeal Brown’s red card.
Rachel Brown was allegedly sent off for pulling Bachmann’s hair and pushing her to the ground. However, video footage clearly proved that the Swiss player struck Brown’s face while diving towards her. As a result of her sending
off, Brown will now not be able to play the next three internationals.
The skipper of the English football team, Faye White, also expressed her views about the incident with anger and despair. According to the her, the referee was wrong to send off Brown and television replays have clearly shown
that Brown was innocent and Bachmann was the real offender.
Brown has been a vital player of Powell’s team and is easily the best goalkeeper in the squad. Her inability to participate in the team’s next three matches is a considerable setback.
The FA (Football Association) director of football development, Sir Trevor Brooking, expressed his views about the English Women’s football team after watching the match and admitted the fact that the English team is one
of the best football teams in the world. Sir Trevor admired Hope Powell as a coach and told the media that the upcoming tournaments and events are very important for Powell’s team. Sir Trevor added that Powell is working pretty well with her squad and now
has to prepare them for the upcoming World Cup and then the Olympics. He added that this is probably the best time for the English team as they are playing at their best and every victory is further increasing their self-belief and confidence. Brooking further
added that the team’s current victories will do nothing but good in helping develop the women’s game in the
UK.
Hope Powell is no doubt fighting hard for her squad and she has successfully turned the team into a strong unit. The incident in the match against
Switzerland has certainly disrupted Powell’s regarding the veteran goal keeper, but hopefully
England can continue building on their form and win the next three matches – with or without Rachel Brown.
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