'Very inappropriate' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman calls for 'regulation' of player-coach relationships in women's game amid Leicester's investigation into Willie Kirk allegations

Leicester opened an investigation into head coach Willie Kirk earlier this month because of allegations of a relationship with a player. He has been suspended while the process is completed and has not been on the touchline for any of the Foxes' last three games.

This is an issue that exists across the women's game. Former Lionesses boss Mark Sampson was sacked in 2017 after it emerged that he previously had a relationship with a player at Bristol Academy and Jonathan Morgan, formerly of Leicester, was also sacked by Sheffield United last month once the club learned he had a relationship with a player when in charge of the Foxes.

The NWSL, the top league in the United States, has had its reckoning with player-coach relationships and it actually specifically prohibits player-coach relationships due to a 'power imbalance'. However, there is no such regulation in England's Women's Super League and Wiegman is the latest coach to call for that to change.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Wiegman said: "I think player-coach relationships are very inappropriate. I think we should not accept that. That's not healthy. That is basically what it is. I think in our environment, it's a professional environment, it is all about performing and it should always be safe. Things can happen but it's inappropriate and we all should be very aware of that."

Asked whether a ban on these relationships should be implemented, Wiegman responded: "It is common sense. We all know that if we are in this environment, that is really inappropriate. I think if we all take our responsibility, then things wouldn't happen. But when it happens too often, then you need regulation. I'll leave that up to other ones. I just hope in every environment I work in, in how we work and we always talk about safe environments, this is one of the things that should be really safe, that everyone's really aware of the responsibility we have."

The Lionesses will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro next week, facing Sweden at Wembley on April 5. Wiegman's side will be looking to defend their title at the tournament in Switzerland.