For a number of Scotland’s players, including Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert, losing by a hefty margin on Tuesday could keep their hopes of representing Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics alive.
In a bizarre set of circumstances, England need to beat Scotland to progress to the semifinals of the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League – which puts Team GB one step closer to a trip to France.
It’s a decision that has come under intense scrutiny, with Netherlands boss Andries Jonker questioning the integrity of the competition – but much like Sarina Wiegman, Scotland’s Pedro Martínez Losa insists that it is ‘totally inappropriate’ to discuss before such a pivotal game.
Scotland have already been relegated to League B of the UEFA Women’s Nations League after they were held to a draw by Belgium on Friday, but Martínez Losa insists they will not step aside for England in a match steeped in such a historic rivalry.
Embed from Getty Images‘I don’t feel happy about the questioning of the integrity of the Scottish players,’ he said in his pre-match press conference. ‘Scotland is a wonderful country, with wonderful people – they are very passionate about everything and nobody for one second should question the integrity of the players and how much they want to represent their nation.’
‘The feeling of this group is to represent thousands of girls and boys who are coming to watch and inspire all these people – that is stronger than anything. I feel the question is totally inappropriate.’
‘Our motivation is our fans, to play good football, to beat England and improve the aspects we have to improve as a team. This is something we couldn’t affect and is part of the competition. We have been trying to stay away from that, there is no conversation to have.’
‘My opinion of the question of the integrity is very negative. Everyone who knows me, the players, the team know how strong the feeling is for players to represent their country. I do not think there is any other feeling that will be on the pitch. I wish this was not the situation, I am not sure what the solution will be in the future but I do not want my players to be in this situation.’
