'Micro-misogynies' still exist in football

Uefa vice-president Laura McAllister says there is still work to do to wipe out "micro-misogynies" in football and ensure the sport is not dominated by men.

Former Wales captain McAllister has been on the executive committee of Uefa, European football's governing body, since 2023.

McAllister, who is in Switzerland for Euro 2025, said attitudes to women in football still need to change.

"I have been talking a lot to the media while I have been out here and I have described it as kind of micro-misogynies, which I think is probably the best way of describing what's still going on in football," she said.

Her comments come as Wales lost 3-0 on their Euros debut.

"Football is still a male-dominated sport. I have experienced it first hand.

"They don't patronise me because they know my background as a player and as an administrator, but I can see how women are treated in football and we have still got more work to do."

McAllister, 60, said the only way to change attitudes towards women in football is "from within".

"Some of the work we are doing within Uefa and indeed within the Football Association of Wales (FAW) is attempting to remedy a long-standing, historic domination by men of our sport and that can't go on," she added.

"Tournaments like this are just such a great opportunity to celebrate all that's fantastic about women's football, but it doesn't stop once the final happens. It's about what we do next."

McAllister will watch on with pride as Wales' women compete in their first major tournament in their history.

McAllister, who won 24 caps, played for Wales at a time when the women's side were fighting to be formally recognised by the FAW.

She said that while the country's involvement in the European Championship was "historic", it was up to those who run the game in Wales to build on the success of Rhian Wilkinson's squad.

"We need to ensure the grassroots of the game are in rude health," McAllister added.

"No girl should be turned away from playing football, whatever her background, wherever she lives, whatever club she goes to.

"There should be spaces for girls to play everywhere across Wales and we need to strengthen our pathway so that we expect to qualify for most tournaments.

"The only way you do it is if you have a really strong talent pathway that brings through the players to become the next Sophie Ingle and the next Ceri Holland."