BBC told to snub England Lionesses and dish out major honour elsewhere

England Lionesses captured the hearts of a nation as they successfully defended their European Championship title in Switzerland. A penalty shootout victory over Spain in the final, with Chloe Kelly netting the winning spot-kick, kickstarted celebrations that moved from Basel to London and an open-top bus parade.

Tuesday saw the Euro 2025 winners paraded in front of a huge crowd at the capital, with thousands turning out to cheer on the team. A host of accolades and achievements are set to follow, with head coach Sarina Wiegman tipped for an honorary damehood from the Royal Family.

However, one sporting supremo has called for the members of the Lionesses team to be snubbed for the main BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award.

Barry Hearn, Matchroom Sport founder, believes that Luke Littler deserves the top gong instead, tipping the Lionesses to take the team prize.

He said: "The year he's [Littler] had gives him a great chance. The Women's Euros team will probably win team of the year. It's not been a standout year for individuals. There's been some good runners in the 600m and 800m."

Littler recently won the World Matchplay to claim the prestigious Triple Crown, backing up his World Championship victory in January.

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Lionesses' penalty heroes Kelly and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton are the current favourites to win SPOTY out of the group.

While Rory McIlroy, who completed the career Slam by winning the Masters in April following a dramatic play-off with Justin Rose, is also one of the frontrunners for the Beeb honour.

Olympic 800m gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson was voted BBC SPOTY in 2024 after ending her wait for a global title with victory at Paris 2024. Littler finished as the runner-up.

Meanwhile, Lionesses boss Wiegman has reacted to the possibility of receiving an honorary damehood from the Royal Family for her services to football in the United Kingdom.

Speaking during the team's visit to No.10 Downing Street on Monday, Wiegman was asked about the prospect of a royal honour. She replied: "I haven't thought about that.

"I feel so much respect from England and the Royal Family, too, and I think that's the most important thing. I feel very special to get so much respect from England."

Honorary damehoods are awarded to people who have made contributions to the UK or to international affairs, but are not citizens of nations where the monarch is the head of state. The same applied to honorary knighthoods, with the legendary Pele receiving one in 1997.