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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

WSL academy teams to play in third tier after FA approves controversial plan

Wolves celebrate promotion to the second tier after winning their FA Women's National League playoff in May.
Wolves celebrate promotion to the second tier after winning their FA Women's National League playoff in May. Photograph: Jan Kruger/The FA/Getty Images

Four Women’s Super League ­academy sides will play in the third tier of the ­pyramid from the ­2027-28 ­season after the ­controversial ­proposal was approved by the ­Football ­Association’s board.

The change forms part of what the FA described as a package of reforms to the Women’s National League “designed to strengthen the women’s football pyramid, raise standards across the league, and improve the development pathway for young players”.

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