Brighton boss Hope Powell backs BBC pundit Alex Scott for key role in Government task-force

Former England international Scott will be among a select panel charged with finding creative ways to bring sport back in a shutdown environment.

"It is really important to solicit the views of people who have played at a decent level and understand the women's game," said Powell on a Zoom conference call. "So they can be the voice of women's football.

"I think it is really important they have done that it is great to see that Alex Scott is part of that."

Scott made 140 appearances for England and played under Powell when she was the England manager between 1998 and 2013. Currently, she has a career in broadcasting, notably appearing as a pundit during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, added: "It (the task-force) will be made up of the brightest and the best from the creative, tech and sporting worlds.

"They will be advising me on how we find new and different ways to get industries back up and running."

Powell, 53, also called for Women's Super League to be decided on a points per game basis with no relegation. That would see second place Chelsea win the title as they have a game in hand on current leaders Manchester. Liverpool are bottom of the table in the relegation place while Powell's Brighton are ninth.

“For my personally, [the preferred outcome is] points per game with no relegation,” Powell said. “I think it would be hugely unfair to relegate a team when the season hasn’t been able to be played out through nobody’s fault.

"The most important thing, for me personally, is not to relegate.

“For me, the logical step would be no relegation and perhaps promote one from the Championship. I think it’s really important that there is an outcome, certainly for Champions League places.”

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