England captain Leah Williamson says she would “by no means rule out” strike motion to get gamers’ messaging throughout to governing our bodies about schedule issues.
Williamson, 28, missed 5 months with damage following England’s victory at Euro 2025 as she recovered from knee surgical procedure.
She returned to motion at the beginning of December, serving to Arsenal win the Ladies’s Champions Cup in February, and was chosen for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.
Williamson is considered 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.
Talking earlier than England’s recreation towards Ukraine on Tuesday, 3 March (17:00 GMT kick-off), Williamson was requested concerning the potential causes of damage and, hypothetically, if the gamers could be prepared to strike to get governing our bodies’ attentions.
“We’ll by no means know for positive however I do not suppose individuals argue towards the scheduling for enjoyable. There’s causes behind it,” mentioned Williamson.
“In the event you hearken to the gamers’ group, after all we need to play on a regular basis, however the extra profitable you might be – and this group has been very profitable – then the much less relaxation you may have and the upper threat of damage there may be. It is an accumulation.
“The gamers, I am positive, would love to simply flip up and play soccer, however we use our voice and we attempt to get entangled in conversations with the hierarchy in order that they at the least have our perspective. Whether or not they hearken to it or not, is out of our management.”
Gamers’ union FifPro launched a report, exterior in November saying that final yr was the primary time because it began gathering knowledge in 2020 that the highest 15 gamers on this planet had all performed 50 video games or extra in a season.
England midfielder Keira Walsh beforehand urged governing our bodies to “hearken to the gamers” concerning the congested fixture schedule.
Requested whether or not Williamson would take into account extra drastic motion, similar to gamers putting, she mentioned: “I’ve not had any conversations about this proper now, but when a gaggle of individuals do not feel like they’re getting listened to, then historical past means that’s the one manner they are often heard.
“I’d by no means take it off the desk. I do not suppose that is the place we are actually. I believe we’re nonetheless in a spot the place we will collaborate, pay attention and educate.”
Williamson additionally revealed gamers have been “forthcoming” with offering stakeholders with coaching load and feminine well being knowledge.
“It is primarily round the remainder durations and making an attempt to get all governing our bodies to align. It at all times appears like we’re asking for a vacation, however that is not the case,” she added.
“I am an expert footballer and a part of my job can be to relaxation, which I am inspired to take action by my managers and the environments we play in.
“So why is that not prioritised once we’re left to our personal units?”
