Thanks Gianni, now we know – all we had to do was ‘pick the right fights’

So, now we know.

Now the men with all the power have spoken and kindly informed us that 1) all WE have to do to make positive changes in women’s football is CONVINCE THE MEN what they have to do to help us. If only we’d thought of that earlier, huh?

And 2) that the bonus dispute between the Lionesses and the English Football Association, which rumbled on throughout the build-up to this tournament, was all a storm in a timing-related teacup.

No need to get so riled up about it, ladies. The money was always coming your way — honest.

This sarcasm-laced introduction was brought to you courtesy of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his 22-minute speech at FIFA’s women’s football convention in Sydney, and the FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham, speaking to the English press at the Lionesses’ training base in Terrigal, Australia.

Both came just days before the showpiece event in the women’s football calendar: the World Cup final.

Where to start? Let’s go with the man at the top, Infantino, who did actually make some pertinent points in his speech about establishing more professional leagues around the world and the press coverage of the tournament from some sections…