Football: ‘Spygate’ at FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019!

By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw Ahead of the semi-final tie between England and the US on 2 July 2019, some undercover US officials were discovered, by staff, on 30 June 2019, wandering into private rooms at the England team’s hotel in Lyon, whilst they were out training. What were they doing there? Spying? Or, as US Manager, Jill Ellis, claimed, just checking out the hotel as a possible place for them to stay if they reached the final on 7 July 2019? The English Football Association is said to be “furious” about this incident and the England Manger, Phil Neville, said that such conduct, for whatever reason, was not “etiquette”. He also said that this behaviour would not have any bearing on the semi-final, brushing aside any suggestions that it could damage England’s chances. A storm in a teacup or something more sinister? Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.’