Blackburn Rovers have withdrawn from the Women’s Championship next season because club owners are unwilling to meet the league’s requirements on facilities, player welfare and staffing.
In an email sent to players by the club’s HR department on Tuesday, seen by BBC Sport, they say Blackburn are in “ongoing discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding the division we will be competing in” next season.
Players and staff are still unsure of their future, whether they will remain semi-professional or if their contracts will be renewed.
The deadline to decide if the club wanted to meet the licence requirements and retain their tier-two status was on Monday, 19 May.
The email went on to say: “Due to the minimum standards required at the tiers below the Women’s Championship, there is a significant impact on the staffing and playing structure moving forward and so your role may be affected.”
The FA Board and WSL Football – the company overseeing the top two tiers of English women’s football – are expected to meet later on Tuesday to discuss the next steps.
Blackburn’s withdrawal could mean reinstating relegated Sheffield United, who sources say have held initial conversations around the possibility of their return to the Women’s Championship.
More to follow.
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