Boris Johnson misses Lioness win 'open goal' to boost women's sport, Labor says

Labour has accused the government of missing a "target open 'The opportunity to build a legacy of female sporting achievement after the Lionesses of England's historic Euro win.

The accusation came as Boris Johnson ruled out a public holiday to celebrate the women's success in beating Germany 2-1 to lift their first major trophy at Wembley on Sunday.

Labour sports spokeswoman Lucy Powell has urged Mr Johnson to change his mind , arguing that a public holiday would give clubs the opportunity to promote the game to women and girls.

And she said the entire Lionness team should be recognized in New Year's honours.< / p>

Downing Street has reported that the Prime Minister is backing the gongs for the Euro quad, saying he "would certainly like to see the team receive the recognition they rightly deserve for their historic win".< /p>RecommendedBoris Johnson will take his summer vacation as his time at No 10 draws to a close

But Mr Johnson's official spokesman has pushed back on calls for a bank holiday, saying that there were "no plans" to add a day of celebration to the current list.

The Prime Minister raised his eyebrows by not attending the Euro final on Sunday , after After joining the fans in the stands at Wembley wearing an England shirt when Gareth Southgate's side reached the men's match last year.

The game came a day after Mr Johnson and his wife Carrie hosted friends and family for a belated wedding celebration at the country home of Tory donor Lord Bamford.

As German Chancellor Olaf Scholz came to London to the game and praised the losing side in the dressing room for their efforts, the UK government was represented by Women's Minister Liz Truss - favorite to take Mr Johnson's place in September - and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

And no plans have been announced for Sarina Wiegman and her team to travel to 10 Downing Street, as the winners of the Men's Rugby World Cup did in 2003 and the players of cricket winners of the Ashes in 2005.

Mr. Johnson was unable to meet the players when they joined fans for a celebratory party in Trafalgar Square on Monday while in Northern Ireland for the funeral of former Ulster Unionist Party leader Lord Trimble. And he leaves on Wednesday for a five-day family holiday.

Asked whether the Premier's absence from Wembley has had a negative impact on his attitude towards women's football, his spokesman said : "I think the public will judge the government for the support it has given to women's football.

"This is a government that has shown a commitment to supporting women's football and investing in this one.

"The prime minister supported the team throughout and watched the game with his family at home."

But Ms Powell said the government should recognize that the Euro triumph represents a "key moment" to inspire the next generation of players.

"The country is rightly proud of our winning Lionesses, who showed the best of the British ", she said.

"The Conservatives have a terrible record of building on the success of our sports stars with a real and lasting legacy. Ministers s need to make sure we don't miss the open goal opportunity their success provides in cementing the women's game.

"It's a potential game-changer...