Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has publicly admitted that women's football in the country has been 'neglected' for years, with the Scottish Government now considering significant investment in the sport.
The startling confession comes as Scotland looks to capitalise on the momentum created by England's Lionesses, whose recent successes have highlighted the potential of women's football across the UK.
Historic Underfunding Acknowledged
Speaking at a recent event, Swinney stated: 'We must recognise that women's football hasn't received the attention or resources it deserves.' This marks the first time a senior Scottish politician has so openly addressed the systemic underfunding of the women's game.
The First Minister revealed that government officials are now examining how to boost financial support for women's football, with potential plans including:
- Increased funding for grassroots programmes
- Improved facilities across Scotland
- Enhanced support for the national team
- Partnerships with private investors
Lionesses Effect Inspires Change
The success of England's women's team has clearly resonated north of the border, with Swinney praising their achievements as 'a wake-up call for Scottish football.' The Lionesses' 2022 Euros victory and subsequent World Cup performances have demonstrated the commercial viability and popularity of women's football.
Scottish Women's Football representatives have welcomed the First Minister's comments, though cautioned that urgent action is needed to close the gap with other European nations. Recent figures show Scotland invests significantly less per capita in women's football than countries like Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands.
What Comes Next?
While no specific funding commitments have been announced, insiders suggest an announcement could come as part of the Scottish Government's next budget round. Football analysts predict that even modest investment could dramatically improve Scotland's competitiveness in international women's football.
The move follows growing pressure from players, fans and sports organisations who argue that Scotland's women footballers deserve the same opportunities and resources as their male counterparts.
