Sarina Wiegman: Lionesses given safety reassurances in Turkey

Manager Sarina Wiegman says England have been given reassurances there are no safety concerns about their Women’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine being held in Turkey as the conflict in the Middle East widens.

The Lionesses play in Antalya at 17:00 GMT on Tuesday because Ukraine are unable to play in their home country as a result of the war with Russia, which is in its fifth year.

On Saturday the US attacked Iran as part of a joint operation with Israel, sparking retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.

The Iranian regime has responded with attacks on US assets and countries in the region with a US military presence, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.

Turkey borders Iran and Iraq and is close to Cyprus, where an Iranian drone crashed into a British RAF base on Sunday. Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon have also exchanged strikes.

“Yes, we did have reassurances. We are in close contact with the government and the people here that are responsible,” said Wiegman.

“We’re fine here but we’re keeping an eye on it. We’re in contact all the time with the responsible authorities.

“Of course, you’re concerned about what’s happening in the world. When we think, or our government thinks it’s unsafe, we will go back. At this moment, we don’t have signals of that.”

England travelled to Turkey last Wednesday for a training camp but it is unclear how many fans will attend the match following the weekend’s developments, with some supporters and several media outlets already choosing to withdraw.

Wiegman says the fact Ukraine are having to host the match in Turkey because of conflict in their home country following Russia’s invasion is “really sad”.

“We have great facilities here and the climate is really good so we can prepare really well. But the reason we’re here is not nice,” she added.

“You want Ukraine to be able to play in their home country. They had to travel a lot themselves to get here. The things they have in front of them in their country is really horrible.

“We hope this game unites a bit. It’s a chance for Ukraine to show themselves to the world in another way where hopefully football unites and brings some joy.”