Tuesday 2 August 2022 01:15 AM Former FA head calls lack of No 10 reception 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson ... trends now

Tuesday 2 August 2022 01:15 AM Former FA head calls lack of No 10 reception 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson ... trends now
Tuesday 2 August 2022 01:15 AM Former FA head calls lack of No 10 reception 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson ... trends now

Tuesday 2 August 2022 01:15 AM Former FA head calls lack of No 10 reception 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson ... trends now

The former head of the FA has called the lack of reception hosted at Downing Street 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson prepares to go on holiday from Wednesday until Sunday. 

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch, Tory MP for Chatham and Aylesford, has called on the two Tory leadership candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, to 'pledge to recognise the Lionesses at their earliest opportunity' following the start of the PM's break tomorrow.

Around 7,000 supporters celebrated the win with the England team in Trafalgar Square after the team beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday - the country's first major title since 1966. 

But there is growing anger that there will be no traditional bus parade - an honour bestowed on the England men's team despite not winning a title since 1966 - with critics pointing the finger at London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the FA in a decision branded 'disgusting'. 

There were also major bus parades through London both in 2003 after England won the Rugby World Cup, and in 2005 when England's cricketers won The Ashes. 

BBC One coverage of the Trafalgar Square event on Monday was limited to a 20-minute slot, causing more anger. There was also no Downing Street reception because Boris Johnson was at David Trimble's funeral. The PM was not at Wembley due to a Cotswolds party to celebrate his marriage to Carrie Johnson last year. 

Ms Crouch said she would be 'horrified' if there was 'nothing' from No 10 after the England women’s football team were not given a victory bus parade through London after winning Euro 2022.

The former head of the FA has called the lack of reception hosted at Downing Street 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson (pictured) prepares to go on holiday from Wednesday until Sunday

The former head of the FA has called the lack of reception hosted at Downing Street 'disappointing' as Boris Johnson (pictured) prepares to go on holiday from Wednesday until Sunday

Around 7,000 supporters celebrated the win with the England team in Trafalgar Square yesterday after the team beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday - the country's first major title since 1966

Around 7,000 supporters celebrated the win with the England team in Trafalgar Square yesterday after the team beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time at Wembley Stadium on Sunday - the country's first major title since 1966

Rishi Sunak

Liz Truss

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch, Tory MP for Chatham and Aylesford, has called on the two Tory leadership candidates, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak , to 'pledge to recognise the Lionesses at their earliest opportunity'

Greg Dyke, former head of the Football Association, told The Times: 'I think it's disappointing for the players. What they have achieved is incredible.'

A Downing Street source also told the newspaper that discussions were continuing about trying to find a time to host the Lionesses.

Ms Crouch told MailOnline on Monday: 'If we are going to grasp the opportunity on equality, we really must do better.

'There may be a good reason for it, but I do not know why there was no parade for the Lionesses. There will have been plans in place for the men in the event they had won the euros last year'.

She added that the chance to hold one after the Trafalgar Square party may have passed, because the Lionesses will likely go on holiday - with the Women's Premier League pre-season set to begin in the next three to four weeks.

Supporters condemned the decision not to hold a parade, saying on social media that it was a 'real shame' and it would be the 'least that England deserve'. Others labelled it 'shocking' and 'absolutely disgusting from @MayorofLondon and others in a position to affect this', with one adding: 'Someone have a word.' 

Safety reasons have been cited for the decision not to hold an open-top bus parade, by sources close to the celebration event. 

The England team and staff pose for a photo during the celebration at Trafalgar Square in London yesterday afternoon

The England team and staff pose for a photo during the celebration at Trafalgar Square in London yesterday afternoon

England fans gathered at Trafalgar Square in London on Monday for the Euro 2022 victory party - but there was great anger at the lack of a parade

England fans gathered at Trafalgar Square in London on Monday for the Euro 2022 victory party - but there was great anger at the lack of a parade

England's Lionesses go wild with their staff as they celebrated the country's first major title since 1966

England's Lionesses go wild with their staff as they celebrated the country's first major title since 1966

The Football Association confirmed on Monday 'there would not be a bus parade before or after' the party

The Football Association confirmed on Monday 'there would not be a bus parade before or after' the party

2003 - England's victorious Rugby World Cup team on a parade in London in December 2003

2003 - England's victorious Rugby World Cup team on a parade in London in December 2003

2005 - England's cricket team on a bus in London in September 2005 after winning The Ashes

2005 - England's cricket team on a bus in London in September 2005 after winning The Ashes

How have other triumphant athletes been awarded for success? 

In 2021, the England men's team weren't celebrated with a bus parade following their defeat to Italy 2-1, although this was said to be due to coronavirus. 

In 2012, Olympians and Paralympians were given a No10 Downing Street reception, as well as an event at Buckingham Palace.

There was also a special open-top bus victory parade in the capital. 

There were major bus parades through London both in 2003 after England won the Rugby World Cup, and in 2005 when England's cricketers won The Ashes. 

Bus parades have also been organised for footballers in the Premier League and FA cup.

They were also invited to No 10 for a reception following their successes. 

The Lionesses have not been given a bus parade following their win yesterday.

Critics have pointed the finger at London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the FA in a decision branded 'disgusting'.

The Prime Minister did not meet the team following their win, as he is at David Trimble's funeral.

He watched yesterday's match from Chequers. 

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Downing Street has insisted Boris Johnson is supportive of women's football amid questions over his absence from Wembley and the lack of a No 10 reception for the victorious Lionesses.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman was quizzed on why Mr Johnson watched England's historic Euros triumph from his country residence, given he attended the men's final in their equivalent contest last year.

The Prime Minister attended the funeral of Northern Ireland peace process architect Lord Trimble on Monday, and is then taking leave from Wednesday to Sunday.

The England men's cricket team were invited to Downing Street following their win in the Ashes in 2005, as were the men's Rugby World Cup victors in 2003.

The women's national rugby and cricket teams have also previously been honoured with receptions at No 10.

The Prime Minister attended the men's Euro 2020 final at Wembley last year, where England lost to Italy.

But he chose to tune into the Lionesses' crunch tie with Germany from Chequers - with the match culminating in a 2-1 triumph for England after extra time, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966.

Mr Johnson's German counterpart Olaf Scholz was at Wembley on Sunday, while No 10 said the Foreign Secretary and the Culture Secretary represented the UK Government at the final.

Mr Scholz also visited the German team in their dressing room after the game.

Over the weekend, Mr Johnson was celebrating his wedding to wife Carrie at the grand Cotswolds estate of a major Tory donor.

The pair hosted family and friends at 18th-century Daylesford House to celebrate their nuptials in a wider circle, after the pandemic forced them to scale back festivities last year.

Asked whether the Prime Minister's absence from Wembley reflected badly on his attitude to the women's game, his spokesman said: 'I think the public will judge the Government on the support it has given to women's football.

'This is a Government that has stood steadfastly in terms of supporting the women's game and investing in it.

'The Prime Minister has been supporting the team throughout and was watching the game with his family at home.'

Meanwhile, No 10 said there are 'no plans' to add a new bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' victory.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'Obviously we all want to celebrate the Lionesses' win, but there are no plans to change the current pattern of public bank holidays.'

But he said Mr Johnson will 'definitely' want the Lionesses to receive 'the recognition they rightly deserve' after England's triumph.

Asked if the Prime Minister would back damehoods for the Lionesses following their win, the spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister would definitely want to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic victory.

'On honours specifically, there is obviously a process that is a matter for the independent honours committee, but clearly the public want to see (the) Lionesses receive recognition.'

Lionesses set to be given honours by Boris Johnson, No 10 confirms - but there will be no new bank holiday after win

Boris Johnson will 'definitely' want the Lionesses to receive 'the recognition they right deserve' after England's historic Euros triumph, No 10 has said.

Asked if the Prime Minister will back damehoods for the team following their win, his official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister would definitely want to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic victory.

'On honours specifically, there is obviously a process that is a matter for the independent honours committee, but clearly the public want to see (the) Lionesses receive recognition.

'I'm not aware of any further plans with regards to this week but we'll continue to look to other ways to celebrate the success of the Lionesses.'

Asked why Boris Johnson did not watch the Lionesses' match at Wembley, Downing Street said he was following the game from home. His official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister did watch the game at home along with, I think, 17.4 million other (people).'

There are 'no plans' to add a new bank holiday following the Lionesses' victory, No 10 said. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'Obviously we all want to celebrate the Lionesses' win, but there are no plans to change the current pattern of public bank holidays.'

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A source with knowledge of the plans said Trafalgar Square had already been used as an official fan zone for England's semi-finals and final, so it was therefore a secure area that was ready to host an event like yesterday's celebration at short notice.

The capacity of the gathering was set at 7,000 based both on predicted numbers of attendees and also while considering safety. Organisers told MailOnline they were satisfied with the capacity that was set, because of the number of fans who actually attended on Monday.

The celebration was organised jointly by FA, the Greater London Authority (GLA), the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Westminster Council.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'The Mayor has worked closely with the FA, Westminster City Council, Government and key partners to support today's amazing celebration event at Trafalgar Square which provided a fitting way to celebrate a truly historic moment.' 

Westminster Council directed press queries to the GLA, while sources at the DCMS said it was the FA's decision not to hold the parade. Sources close to the Mayor's Office also said it was the FA's decision. 

England's players and their manager, Sarina Wiegman, took part in a Q&A session before lifting the trophy on Monday.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said it was 'only right' that fans can celebrate the 'historic victory' together with the players at Trafalgar Square. 

London Mayor Sadiq Khan added: 'They've broken records, and now they've made history.'

And Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: 'I'm delighted that we have worked quickly with the FA to put on a victory celebration in Trafalgar Square.'

The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in front of 87,000 supporters at Wembley Stadium yesterday, securing the first major tournament title for the country since 1966.

England's victorious Lionesses have partied with thousands of fans to celebrate their historic Euro 2022 win over Germany - the nation's first major football trophy for 56 years - with the hungover players belting out Sweet Caroline and admitting they have 'partied more than we've played football in the last 24 hours'.

Around 7,000 supporters went wild at the event hosted by Alex Scott in Trafalgar Square, where fans were dancing in the fountains last night after Chloe Kelly's extra time goal.

Many of the players were wearing dark sunglasses after MailOnline revealed that they were dancing and singing in their hotel until 4am - but roared on by the crowd they proved they were ready to celebrate again yesterday afternoon.

Addressing the huge crowd in central London on Monday, captain Leah Williamson raised the trophy and said: 'We've partied more than we've played football in the last 24 hours'.

She added: 'What we've done for women and young girls that can look up and inspire to be us. I think England have hosted an incredible tournament and we've changed the game in this country and hopefully across Europe and across the world. But we said we wanted to make our legacy about winning and that's what we did'.

England's matchwinner Miss Kelly, who serenaded the crowd with a rendition of Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline before dancing wildly on stage, said: 'I ain't stopped dancing, my feet just keep going. Everyone's absolutely buzzing. We had a good night last night but some of us were a bit worse for wear this morning'. Rachel Daly then took the mic and began belting out Tina Turner classic River Deep Mountain High as her teammates danced around her.

While scorer of the first goal, Ella Toone, was asked about the congratulations from Harry Kane for her top corner finish, and joked: 'Yeah, I taught him that'. 

While looking forward to the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year, Lioness Lucy Bronze said: 'There's still one more we can get our hands on next year'.

Supporters were given free entry on a first-come first-served basis from 11am on Monday, and enjoyed live music from DJ Monki while watching tournament highlights on big screens. 

The victorious players and their manager, Sarina Wiegman, were then greeted as heroes and took part in a Q&A session before lifting the trophy.

The Trafalgar Square Lionesses event was organised by the Greater London Authority, the Department

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