“Prince William, the president of the Football Association, has issued a statement of apology to the Lionesses, wishing them good luck in their historic match against Spain in the Women’s World Cup final. Despite his role as president of the FA, William will not be attending the final, citing unspecified reasons for his absence. In a video posted to social media, William says the Lionesses have achieved a great deal and inspired millions around the world, and he hopes they “really enjoy themselves” on the pitch.
William’s apology comes after sports broadcaster Gabby Logan expressed disappointment that neither he nor British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would be attending the final. Logan noted that if the men’s World Cup were happening, it is likely that one of these figures would be present. She questioned whether there were prior engagements that could not be moved or if something of national importance was getting in the way of the Lionesses’ historic match.
Prince William (Via Prince William/Twitter)
William’s apology has sparked debate, with some critics accusing the royal family of not taking the women’s game seriously enough. Others have defended the royal couple, pointing out that they have consistently supported women’s football and have attended several matches in recent years. Despite the controversy, the Lionesses have been praised for their outstanding performance in the tournament and are set to make history with their match against Spain.
