Women’s Super League aces join NWSL protests ahead of top-flight games

WSL stars joined forces to show support for players protesting in response to abuse allegations in the women’s game overseas.

Arsenal, Everton, Aston Villa and Reading are among the sides who linked arms in centre circles at grounds minutes before kick-off on Sunday.

Aston Villa and West Ham are among the WSL sides supporting NWSL players' protests — Aston Villa and West Ham are among the WSL sides supporting NWSL players’ protestsCredit: Zuma Press

Brighton and Tottenham also joined the protests which have taken place in response to abuse allegations in women's football — Brighton and Tottenham also joined the protests which have taken place in response to abuse allegations in women’s footballCredit: PA

Chelsea, Leicester, Brighton and Tottenham also joined in the action which also involved Women’s Championship sides, Liverpool and Sheffield and match officials.

It comes days after NWSL games in America were postponed following sexual misconduct allegations.

Players in the top-flight of women’s football in the United States commenced the protest on Wednesday.

National Women’s Soccer League games were momentarily paused so teams could show solidarity with players who have come forward with sexual misconduct allegations.

And they did so by gathering around pitch centre circles in the sixth minute of their matches.

Players’ protests follow North Carolina Courage firing their England-born head coach Paul Riley following sexual coercion accusations, which he denies.

And in Australia players within the women’s game have also come forward with allegations of sexual harassment within the sport.

Meanwhile, Chelsea sealed a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Leicester City.

It was the 100^thWSL match win for Blues boss Emma Hayes with Fran Kirby netting her 50^th top-flight goal

The Foxes came close to becoming the first team in three years to stop the WSL champions from scoring, before two late efforts consigned them to defeat.

Fran Kirby scored to help Chelsea seal a 2-0 home win against LeicesterCredit: Getty

Jonathan Morgan’s side held out until the 83^rd minute before goals from Pernille Harder and Fran Kirby saw the Blues move second three points behind leaders Arsenal.

Elsewhere Brighton recovered from their loss to Chelsea by ending Tottenham’s unbeaten run.

Goals from Lee Geum-min and Victoria Williams sealed the win for Albion with Spurs losing Rachel Williams following a second-half sending off.

Birmingham skipper Louise Quinn helped Blues pick up a precious draw on the road with a 67th-minute leveller against West Ham.

Birmingham City picked up their first point of the season with their 1-1 draw against West HamCredit: Alamy

The Republic of Ireland centre-back poked the ball home to help Scott Booth’s side stay one point above the relegation zone.

And Reading ended their losing streak to move two places above the relegation zone.

Rachel Rowe, Amalie Eikeland and summer signing Natasha Dowie were on target in the 3-0 home win against Aston Villa.

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