Victoria Pendleton

I have to disagree there, skill is skill. Men's football doesn't discriminate against women, that is to say, there is no rule that says a woman can't play in the mens game it's just that it's not often they find a woman strong enough to compete.

It does happen though, an italian team signed a woman a while ago (february??) and perugia in 2003 (see below). Some dickheads slated it as a gimmick but she was good enough to play and they let her.

http://www.newstatesman.com/200311100009

I think they have a few women golfers to in the mens tournaments and do very well.

I don't think 'not often finding a woman strong enough to compete' is the reason there aren't more women playing on men's premiere league teams. This would imply that the teams are actively recruiting from among men and women, and that they only ever find men who meet their standards.

And the article actually points out that most European nations (including the UK) banned mixed-gender football over two decades ago, so there is a rule that says a woman can't play in the men's game.

(Please note though, I'm not remotely qualified to comment on the relative skill levels of men's and women's football - I'm just repeating things I've heard.)