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Under-12 team strikes over girls Under-12 team strikes over girls
(about 1 hour later)
Boys in an under-12 football team have gone on strike after being told by the Football Association two of their team are banned - because they are girls.Boys in an under-12 football team have gone on strike after being told by the Football Association two of their team are banned - because they are girls.
FA rules mean children cannot normally play in mixed teams, but Birchwood Juniors had been allowed to field a mixed squad as part of a pilot study.FA rules mean children cannot normally play in mixed teams, but Birchwood Juniors had been allowed to field a mixed squad as part of a pilot study.
But the FA says it is missing paperwork for this season and have told the Warrington side to drop the girls.But the FA says it is missing paperwork for this season and have told the Warrington side to drop the girls.
The FA is due to make a ruling on the matter later.The FA is due to make a ruling on the matter later.
The players decided they would not play unless their female members are reinstated.The players decided they would not play unless their female members are reinstated.
Team coach Paul Owen says the whole squad has been upset by the news: "The children are devastated. We're top of our division, we've fought really really hard to get there.Team coach Paul Owen says the whole squad has been upset by the news: "The children are devastated. We're top of our division, we've fought really really hard to get there.
"The children do extra training and to be told point blank they just can't play is a ridiculous decision.""The children do extra training and to be told point blank they just can't play is a ridiculous decision."
Some of the girls are better than the lads here Kyle Higham, 12Some of the girls are better than the lads here Kyle Higham, 12
It is a serious blow for the squad, not least because if the ruling stands they will not have a goalkeeper.It is a serious blow for the squad, not least because if the ruling stands they will not have a goalkeeper.
In a unanimous vote the team decided they will not play again unless the two female members of the squad - Kara Hunt and Sophie, who are both 12 - are reinstated.In a unanimous vote the team decided they will not play again unless the two female members of the squad - Kara Hunt and Sophie, who are both 12 - are reinstated.
Goalie Kara said: "I think it's really unfair because they have just stopped me and Sophie halfway through the season and it's wrecking the team a bit.Goalie Kara said: "I think it's really unfair because they have just stopped me and Sophie halfway through the season and it's wrecking the team a bit.
"It's been a bit hard because I don't know if I'm going to be able to play or not. It means a lot because they are all my friends and I like playing with them because it's my local team.""It's been a bit hard because I don't know if I'm going to be able to play or not. It means a lot because they are all my friends and I like playing with them because it's my local team."
Teammate Kyle Higham, 12, said the girls had been taken out of the team "because of agenda".Teammate Kyle Higham, 12, said the girls had been taken out of the team "because of agenda".
"I don't know why they shouldn't be able to play because it's just the same. Some of the girls are better than the lads here.""I don't know why they shouldn't be able to play because it's just the same. Some of the girls are better than the lads here."
The local FA in Liverpool said it would have been happy for Warrington Juniors to have played as a mixed team if they had received the paperwork to cover them.The local FA in Liverpool said it would have been happy for Warrington Juniors to have played as a mixed team if they had received the paperwork to cover them.
Without it, they are not covered by insurance.Without it, they are not covered by insurance.
The FA is meeting on Tuesday to reconsider the decision to ban the girls.The FA is meeting on Tuesday to reconsider the decision to ban the girls.
If it is not overturned, their coach says he will move the team to a different league next year where the girls will be allowed to play.If it is not overturned, their coach says he will move the team to a different league next year where the girls will be allowed to play.