England captain Leah Williamson says she would “never rule out” strike action to get gamers’ messaging throughout to governing our bodies about schedule considerations.
Williamson, 28, missed 5 months with damage following England’s victory at Euro 2025 as she recovered from knee surgical procedure.
She returned to action initially of December, serving to Arsenal win the Women’s Champions Cup in February, and was chosen for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Williamson is certainly one of a number of big-name gamers who’re nonetheless returning to full health following England’s success in Switzerland, alongside Chelsea’s Lucy Bronze.
Speaking earlier than England’s recreation in opposition to Ukraine subsequent Tuesday, Williamson was requested in regards to the potential causes of damage and, hypothetically, if the gamers could be prepared to strike to get governing our bodies’ attentions.
“We’ll never know for sure but I don’t think people argue against the scheduling for fun. There’s reasons behind it,” mentioned Williamson.
“If you listen to the players’ group, of course we want to play all the time, but the more successful you are – and this team has been very successful – then the less rest you have and the higher risk of injury there is. It’s an accumulation.
“The gamers, I’m positive, would love to simply flip up and play soccer, however we use our voice and we attempt to become involved in conversations with the hierarchy in order that they at the least have our perspective. Whether they hearken to it or not, is out of our management.”
Players’ union FifPro released a report, external in November saying that final yr was the primary time because it began amassing knowledge in 2020 that the highest 15 gamers on the planet had all performed 50 video games or extra in a season.
England midfielder Keira Walsh previously urged governing bodies to “hearken to the gamers” about the congested fixture schedule.
Asked whether Williamson would consider more drastic action, such as players striking, she said: “I’ve not had any conversations about this proper now, but when a bunch of individuals do not feel like they’re getting listened to, then historical past means that’s the one approach they are often heard.
“I would never take it off the table. I don’t think that’s where we are now. I think we’re still in a place where we can collaborate, listen and educate.”
Williamson additionally revealed gamers have been “forthcoming” with offering stakeholders with coaching load and feminine well being knowledge.
“It’s mainly around the rest periods and trying to get all governing bodies to align. It always sounds like we’re asking for a holiday, but that’s not the case,” she added.
“I’m a professional footballer and part of my job is also to rest, which I’m encouraged to do so by my managers and the environments we play in.
“So why is that not prioritised after we’re left to our personal units?”
