Ballon d’Or: Sarina Wiegman disappointed by schedule clash

England manager Sarina Wiegman has said it is “really disappointing” that the Ballon d’Or ceremony is once again clashing with the women’s international break, meaning nominated players and coaches will not be able to attend the ceremony in Paris on Monday night.

England trio Lucy Bronze, Lauren James and Lauren Hemp all made the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or Feminin while Wiegman has also been nominated for the Coach of the Year award.

Barring James, who is out injured, the rest will be busy preparing for Tuesday’s night’s friendly against South Africa while the ceremony takes place.

England faced an identical situation last year when the ceremony clashed with their pivotal Nations League clash against Belgium, which meant a quartet of players, including Georgia Stanway and Mary Earps, could not attend.

“Of course, that’s really disappointing, because that’s a moment to celebrate women’s football and to come together as a whole community in the women’s football game, and the whole football world,” Wiegman told a news conference on Monday.

“You want to be there but we have a job to do, and we’re here. It would be…