15 February 2023 , 13:47
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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes says women's football in England could become a closed league in the future and that the game shouldn't be "hamstrung" by promotion and relegation.
Hayes, 46, is open to the idea of a franchise system, that would in theory separate top-flight clubs from the rest of the football pyramid. The Chelsea boss has previously managed in America's NWSL with Chicago Red Stars for two years and believes there are benefits to the system that the women's game in this country should not discount.
Alongside former England player Karen Carney, Hayes is a contributor to an ongoing review into the future of women's football that was launched last year by the government. Her comments come at a time when the FA is considering allowing a new body to run the Women's Super League, the pinnacle of domestic women's football in England.
"I've worked in a franchise league in the United States," Hayes told The Athletic. "I like the idea of promotion and relegation from a traditional perspective.
"But it doesn't mean we should be hamstrung by it. We should be open about it.
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"I've seen the successes of promoting franchise-type leagues and the consistency that that can then place in running that. Look at the WNBA [Women's National Basketball Association] as a great example.
"We should be open to everything, and everything shouldn't always be compared just because it's traditional or just because of the men's game.
Hayes previously managed in USA where a franchise system is employed in professional domestic women's football (PA)"I think we should have an openness about reflecting on the pluses and minuses."
The Chelsea boss was also critical of the difference in prize money between the respective men's and women's FA Cup competitions. This season the winners of the men's tournament will take home £2m, while the women's champions will win exactly £100,000.
"It's outrageous across the women's game," added Hayes. "Across the women's game, that prize money is going to have an impact all the way down the food chain.
"And then on top of that you've got broadcasting which, when the next set of broadcasting rights are up, I think it's going to be a significant moment for the women's game.
"Prize money will help clubs to have bigger budgets to be able to create that support in and around them."
Hayes, who is aiming to retain the WSL with Chelsea this season, also criticised the decision by FIFA to allow Visit Saudi to sponsor the women's World Cup finals, taking place in Australia and New Zealand this summer. Saudi Arabia are a controversial choice, giving the country's human rights record.
Hayes added: "(It is) Ridiculous. It shouldn't happen in any way, shape or form. It just shows how much work we've got to do to educate those running football and why it matters.
"The sense of feeling safe in what we're doing is absolutely critical. Having major double standards just to grow the sport is hypocritical and unwanted at this stage."
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