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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

The FA to offer support to England’s Euro 2022 heroes in dealing with new-found fame, confirms Sarina Wiegman

Sarina Wiegman says the FA will put plans in place to help England players cope with their new-found fame.

The Lionesses have become ­household names this summer after winning ­England’s first major trophy in women’s football.

Wiegman believes her squad have become role models and she has backed them to inspire the next generation.

The 52-year-old, however, is also wary about the attention they will get in the wake of their historic triumph on Sunday and has revealed the FA will work with players to help them cope with the increased exposure.

Wiegman said: “Of course that’s incredible you can be role models. They didn’t go and play football to be role models, but that comes with the job now and the position they are in right now.

“I think one positive thing is that in England, women’s football is already pretty big. So some players at their club are already used a little bit to this fame, but now that will really go to the next level.

“I think some will probably need some support with that and that will take time. At the end you are a football player and you want to perform.

(REUTERS)

“More things will come on their paths besides football, which is connected with football, and we probably need to help a little bit with some players. Some will really manage really well, but it is something to be aware of later on.

“We know now when you win a European Championship the world will be changed and the world around us will have changed. I think that’s very positive but we have to be aware of the things too.

“There is so much more than football. Through football you can make little changes in society and that’s what we hope for.”

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