BBC Women's Football Weekly

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines unpack another week of huge headlines in the world of women’s football!
The team start with the news that Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw has signed a new four-year contract with the club, just days after it looked like she would be leaving the Women's Super League champions this summer.
It was a weekend of finals as Charlton Athletic gained promotion to the WSL for the first time, beating Leicester City in a penalty shootout. Ellen and Jen discuss Sophie Whitehouse’s penalty heroics and what relegation means for Leicester.
Just days after captaining Barcelona to their fourth Champions League title, Alexia Putellas has announced she is leaving the club after 14 seasons. The team give their immediate reactions to the news and reflect on the final itself as Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo scored two goals each to seal emphatic Barca win over Lyon.

Plus, the domestic season comes to an end at Wembley this weekend with Manchester City and Brighton fighting for the last piece of silverware in the FA Cup final. Will it be a domestic double for City or a historic win for the Seagulls? Full commentary of this game will be on 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Sunday 31st May, kick off is at 3pm.

TIMECODES
00:10 - Ellen, Jen and Ben are all in the same country!
03:00 - Bunny Shaw signs a new deal with Manchester City after a contract u-turn.
09:55 - Charlton Athletic gain promotion to the WSL for the first time in their history.
14:50 - What does this now mean for Leicester City?
17:20 - Sophie Whitehouse's penalty masterclass.
20:44 - Amalie Thestrup chats to Mark Chapman.
23:55 - Ewa Pajor stars as Barcelona win their fourth Champions League title.
32:00 - Alexia Putellas is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons at the club.
35:40 - Preview of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Brighton.

The Women's Super League season has been wrapped up and Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines are here to unpack it all. They start by looking at some of the players who were key to Manchester City's first title in a decade, plus reflect on an emotional final day of the WSL as we watched some iconic figures represent their clubs for one last time. The 2025-26 WSL Football Awards also took place on Monday night and the team give their verdict on the winners.
We hear from England manager Sarina Wiegman who has been chatting to Em Sanders after naming her England squad for the final two 2027 Women’s World Cup European qualifiers.
Plus, it's a blockbuster day of football on Saturday! Charlton and Leicester City will compete to determine who gets the final spot in the newly expanded WSL for the 2026/27 season and European giants Lyon and Barcelona meet in the Champions League final.
TIMECODES:
02:05 - Who were the key players in Manchester City’s WSL title win?
07:30 - Round up of results on the final day of the season.
08:40 - More big departures across the league, starting with Katie McCabe.
13:50 - Sam Kerr departs Chelsea and Gemma Bonner leaves Liverpool.
16:15 - Big characters and leaders leaving the WSL.
20:15 - Our verdict on the 2025/26 WSL Football Awards.
26:55 - Sarina Wiegman on the latest Lionesses squad announcement.
34:23 - Charlton take on Leicester in a winner-takes-all WSL play-off.
39:55 - Barcelona and Lyon meet in the Champions League final.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines consider the moments that led to Manchester City ending their decade-long wait for a WSL title.
As for their top goal scorer Khadija Shaw, how significant would losing her to rivals Chelsea be? And what must City do to back up this season's success?
With Brighton reaching their first ever women's FA cup final, manager Dario Vidosic joins the pod as they chase the club's first major silverware. What's clicked for them in what could end up being their best ever WSL season? 
Plus, the panel have their say on Beth Mead's departure from Arsenal; how will she be remembered there and where is her next move?
This episode discusses death and the loss of a parent. If you or someone you know is in need of help, visit www.bbc.co.uk/actionline.
TIMECODES:
2:40 Manchester City win WSL title
10:40 Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw's influence
22'19 Dario Vidosic interview
32:32 Beth Mead leaves Arsenal
40:30 How does this season rank, as a spectacle?

Aston Villa midfielder Lucy Staniforth has announced her retirement from football at the end of the season and sits down with Em Sanders to discuss her decision at why she is 'at ease' with her career.
The 33-year-old began her career at Sunderland in 2008 and has gone on to represent seven clubs, the most of any player in the Women's Super League. Staniforth also earned 17 caps for England and was an FA Cup runner-up in 2009 and 2013.
Lucy chats to Em about the start of her journey, breaking into Sunderland's first team at the age of 16, her love-hate relationship with football over the years and shaking the 'Lucy the footballer' label as she starts a new life away from the pitch.
Live commentary of Lucy's final WSL home game for Aston Villa, against Arsenal, is on Sports Extra on Saturday 9th at midday.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines reflect on a busy weekend of football from European exits to the finale of the WSL 2 season.
Arsenal’s hopes of defending their European title ended on Saturday as they were beaten by Lyon. The team react to a standout display from Melchie Dumournay and Arsenal’s European campaign as a whole. Barcelona also became the first club to reach six consecutive UWCL finals, but can we read anything into Alexia Putellas’ emotional departure from the pitch at the Camp Nou?
Manchester City left it late to ensure that winning the Women's Super League remains in their hands. Ellen and Jen discuss the importance of City finding a way to win and touch on the brilliance of Lauren James after Chelsea secured European football for next season.
Plus, the WSL 2 came to a dramatic conclusion with Birmingham City and Crystal Palace gaining promotion to the Women's Super League. Hayley Ladd joins the pod to chat Crystal Palace making an immediate return to the WSL and Martha Harris chats to the team about promotion parties after beating Charlton the final day to finish top of the table!
Ellen, Jen and Ben also look ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals as Brighton take on Liverpool and Chelsea welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge.
TIMECODES:
02:11 - Arsenal’s hopes of defending their European title were ended by Lyon.
10:25 - Lyon and Barcelona will meet in the UWCL final, again!
15:30 - Round up of new WSL contracts and departure news.
16:55 - Manchester City seal a win in the Knaack of time!
18:55 - Chelsea confirm their spot in the Champions League next season.
21:40 - Ellen is set to be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame!
23:38 - A dramatic final day in the WSL 2.
28:22 - Crystal Palace midfielder Hayley Ladd joins the pod.
34:40 - Birmingham City defender Martha Harris joins the pod.
40:09 - We look ahead to the FA Cup semi-finals.