LONDON — For a soccer-mad nation like England, it’s quite surprising to realize that not long ago women’s matches were effectively banned for being unladylike. The Football Association, the governing body for soccer in England, effectively stopped women from playing between 1921 and 1971, saying that the sport was “quite unsuitable for females” and “should not be encouraged.”
Oh but how times do change. On Sunday, the nation will release a collective roar for the Lionesses, who are one victory away from World Cup glory. Bookies say that they are the slight favorites to beat Spain’s La Roja in the final.