Emma Hayes Criticizes Ballon d'Or Scheduling

Emma Hayes, the former Chelsea and current USWNT head coach, was awarded the inaugural Ballon d’Or for Women's Coach of the Year for her outstanding achievements with both teams. Despite her success, Hayes criticized the Ballon d'Or event for scheduling conflicts that prevented the USWNT from attending the ceremony due to ongoing matches. Hayes led Chelsea to a fifth consecutive Super League title and the USWNT to Olympic gold in Paris, maintaining an unbeaten record. Aitana Bonmati won the Women's Ballon d’Or, leading Barcelona Femeni to a historic quadruple win. Hayes emphasized the importance of teamwork, thanking players and staff from both teams. Her critique draws attention to the broader issue of inclusivity and recognition in women's soccer.