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England deletes 'sexist' tweet about Women's World Cup team

The English Football Association tweeted that its Women's World Cup team could "go back to being mothers, partners and daughters."

By Kate Stanton
England's Football Association sparked criticism when it tweeted that its women's soccer team would "go back to being mothers, partners and daughters." Photo by FA/Twitter.
England's Football Association sparked criticism when it tweeted that its women's soccer team would "go back to being mothers, partners and daughters." Photo by FA/Twitter.

LONDON, July 6 (UPI) -- England's Football Association has come under fire for tweeting what some see as a "sexist" comment about its national Women's World Cup team, the Lionesses.

England finished third in the tournament, which concluded Sunday in Vancouver, Canada, and were welcomed home Monday at London's Heathrow Airport.

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The FA's @England Twitter accounted celebrated their return with a tweet that said the Lionesses could "go back to being mothers, partners and daughters, but they have taken on another title -- heroes."

Many social media users slammed the tweet for linking women athletes to their roles as wives and mothers.

"Women only exist in relation to other people, apparently," wrote one Twitter user.

In a statement, the FA said the tweet was "taken out of context."

"The full story was a wider homecoming feature attempting to reflect the many personal stories within the playing squad as has been told throughout the course of the tournament," the FA said.

"However, we understand that an element of the story appears to have been taken out of context and the opening paragraph was subsequently revised to reflect that fact."

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The tweet has since been deleted.

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