seismic

Women’s Rugby World Cup: ‘Fairytale’ Canada deliver ‘seismic’ semi-final win over New Zealand

Six-time world champions New Zealand were undefeated in the Women’s Rugby World Cup for 11 years – a winning streak that spanned 4,063 days.

None of the matchday 23 in Bristol on Friday had lost a World Cup game.

They had not lost a knockout game in the competition since 1991.

They had only lost twice in 42 World Cup games.

Their record now reads: Played 43, lost three.

Canada, who had to set up a £530,000 (C$1m) fundraising drive – titled Mission: Win Rugby World Cup – to help them reach the tournament, delivered an incredible semi-final performance in Bristol to end New Zealand’s bid for a third straight title.

A sensational first-half performance, including three tries in the opening 25 minutes, saw the number two ranked side in the world gain control of the game right from the opening whistle.

When lock Sophie de Goede knocked over a conversion for her own try after striding clear, the half-time scoreline read 24-7.

A response was always expected by the back-to-back world champions, but Canada cleverly saw out the game to set up a final against France or England at Twickenham next Saturday.

“You see how well-resourced some nations are, and then you have fairytales,” former England captain Katy Daley-Mclean told BBC Two. “Canada are a fairytale.

“You don’t beat New Zealand in World Cups. That was a statement of intent for whoever they play next week.

“They were outstanding. They dismantled New Zealand, they were powerful and brave and absolutely nailed their performance.”

New Zealand World Cup winner Ruby Tui added: “It was tectonic, it was seismic. There was an earthquake here at Ashton Gate.

“They’ve done something very special.”

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Legal case a ‘seismic confrontation’ between players and Fifa

“A seismic legal confrontation between players and Fifa.”

The view of former Fulham midfielder-turned-lawyer Udo Onwere when asked to assess the significance of the compensation claim launched against Fifa this week on behalf of current and former professional footballers over transfer rules.

On Monday, Dutch foundation Justice for Players (JFP) said it had started a class action lawsuit against the sport’s world governing body, along with the football associations of France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

It argues that 100,000 footballers playing in Europe since 2002 could have lost income as a result of “unlawful” Fifa regulations, and that “preliminary analysis” shows that damages could amount to several billion pounds.

The case is the result of last year’s ruling by the highest European court that Fifa regulations over some football transfers broke EU laws.

In October, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) found in favour of former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra after he argued some of the rules restricted his freedom of movement and breached competition law, and sued Fifa.

“This class action could rewrite the rules governing player mobility across the global football industry” says Onwere, who is now a partner at law firm Bray and Krais.

“What distinguishes this case from previous skirmishes with the governing body is its sheer scale and complexity… The outcome of this litigation could usher in a new era of transfer regulations and governance – one where contractual stability is balanced with player autonomy.

“It could prove to be as transformational as the landmark 1995 Bosman ruling.”

Such a comparison is notable, because JFP is being advised by Diarra’s Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who also won the landmark 1995 case at the CJEU on behalf of ex-player Jean-Marc Bosman.

That ruling dramatically changed the sport, meaning footballers could choose to run down their contracts and move clubs on a free transfer, with teams no longer able to demand compensation for out-of-contract players.

Thirty years on, some now believe this latest case could result in players being able to terminate their own contracts, without paying compensation, before those deals come to an end.

BBC Sport has been told that Fifa has until the start of September to respond to the threat of legal action.

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