Chelsea Ladies' Emma Hayes calls for players to 'put opinions aside' as crisis over Mark Sampson saga deepens
- Chelsea Ladies boss Emma Hayes has backed Drew Spence and Eniola Aluko
- Women's game is braced for more damaging disclosures about Mark Sampson
- The FA will appoint an interim manager of the women's national side this week
- Baroness Sue Campbell says permanent appointment is unlikely until next year
Drew Spence scored on her return for Chelsea Ladies before manager Emma Hayes called on her players to 'put their opinions aside' as the crisis surrounding the Mark Sampson saga deepens further.
Football Association chiefs will meet on Monday for talks, with the women's game braced for more damaging disclosures about the axed England manager as the players started their domestic season over the weekend.
Spence, who has backed up club team-mate Eniola Aluko's allegations of bullying, harassment and racism against Sampson and who met with lead investigator Katharine Newton on Friday, scored as Chelsea beat Bristol City 6-0 on Sunday.
Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has been very supportive of Drew Spence and Eni Aluko
Spence celebrates giving Chelsea the lead after 13 minutes at Kingsmeadow on Sunday
The Women's Super League season kicked off under a dark cloud — but Spence was able to put aside her involvement in the Sampson crisis to net the opener for title hopefuls Chelsea at Kingsmeadow.
Manager Hayes admitted she has been providing support for Spence and Aluko, a second-half substitute on Sunday, as they prepare for the FA to step up their investigations and an upcoming parliamentary Select Committee hearing.
'I've been very supportive of the players, after what they've been through. It' s been a difficult time for everyone involved in the game,' Hayes said.
'Now it's important that we put our opinions aside and we let the outcome be decided by the Select Committee and the Football Association.'
Fran Kirby was also on target for the Blues as they made the perfect start to the WSL season
Aluko came on as a second-half substitute for Chelsea in their 6-0 drubbing of Bristol City
The FA will appoint an interim manager of the women's national side this week, with Under 19s boss Mo Marley the likely choice. Head of women's football, Baroness Sue Campbell, says a permanent appointment is unlikely to be made until next year.
Campbell also defended FA chief executive Martin Glenn over the current saga, calling the under-fire exec 'outstanding' before he faces questions in the governing body's meeting today.
Hayes, who herself is an option as England boss, suggested Spence had the quality to play for the national team despite the axed boss not selecting her.
Martin Glenn revealed that a black woman was deliberately chosen for Mark Sampson's inquiry
Hayes has backed Spence's quality to make her a contender for the next England squad
'Drew's goal now is to push on and make herself as open and available for the England squads as they're going to be called out,' Hayes added.
'Drew has all the qualities to go on and have a good international career.' Fran Kirby, a Mren Mjelde double, Magda Eriksson and Gilly Flaherty provided Chelsea's other goals as they set the pace on the WSL's opening weekend.
Title rivals Manchester City won 4-0 at Yeovil, while 10-woman Arsenal survived a scare to beat Birmingham City 3-2.
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