Women's National League chiefs resign over World Cup row as FA forced to step in

The decision to start the Women's National League season on the same day as the World Cup Final sparked widespread backlash

The entire management committee of the Women's National League have resigned after a dispute about the decision to start the season on the same day as the Women's World Cup Final.

The National League, which is made up of six divisions and features sides such as Newcastle, Wolves and Burnley, kicked off the 2023/23 campaign on August 20 - with participating clubs having unanimously agreed to start the season on the third Sunday in August. The decision sparked widespread backlash, with fans launching a petition calling for games to be moved to avoid a clash with the World Cup Final.

The National League eventually conceded that fixtures could be changed, subject to the league's approval, so that fans and players could watch England's showpiece clash with Spain. However, according to Mail Sport, the situation is believed to be a key factor behind this weekend's shock walk-out, with chair Carol West having reportedly informed National League Board members of the mass resignation via email on Friday night.

One of the other major grievances is believed to be the challenges of recruiting volunteers to run the National League on an unpaid basis. The FA have now offered to step in to run the National League with immediate effect.

It is an additional burden for the governing body at a time when they are in the process of handing over the running of the top two tiers of the women's game, the Women's Super League and the Championship, to the Premier League.

"The FA Women's National League Board has regrettably accepted the resignation of the FA Women's National League Management Committee,' a spokesperson for the National League told Mail Sport.

"The Board have asked the FA to put in place the necessary services to ensure that the league and the clubs are best supported as we move into the new season."

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