Spy-gate hits the Women’s World Cup semi-final: Australian newspaper fly a helicopter over England training and brag over filming ‘the moral arbiters’ in retaliation to the Ashes cheating row

An Australian newspaper used a helicopter to spy on England’s final training session ahead of today’s World Cup semi-final.

Both teams have downplayed the rivalry between the two countries, but the Australian Daily Telegraph tensions on the eve of the big game.

The paper boasted that they had managed to film England’s final training session by sending a helicopter to take pictures and footage of their preparations at Gosford’s Central Coast Stadium.

“If England’s Lionesses thought they would happily fly under the radar into the World Cup semi-finals, they would be in for a rude shock,” the paper wrote.

‘We’ve sent the helicopter to see how the ancient foe is preparing… Welcome to the jungle, Lionesses, we’re having fun and games.

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Just like we did last week when we wanted to know if Sam Kerr was back in full training or had limited duties due to her calf injury, The Daily Telegraph took to the air with these exclusive aerial photos of England’s final training run.

It may not be in the spirit of football, but after last month’s Ashes cricket series we will let England’s moral judges judge what is and what is not acceptable in the world of sport. But make no mistake, England is here to ruin the Australian party.’

The outlet did not say whether the footage had been passed on to the Australian coaching team or staff, but it is clear that the photos revealed no significant information about England’s tactics.

The FA declined to comment.

The stunt may be the first flashpoint in what has otherwise been a largely friendly build-up to Wednesday’s game at Stadium Australia, when a place in the World Cup final against Spain is on the line.

Matildas players have downplayed the rivalry with England ahead of their World Cup semi-final, while Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman has been full of praise for the co-hosts’ progress in the tournament so far.

Football has never before played a part in the rich tapestry that is the rivalry between Australia and England, normally reserved for cricket, rugby and netball.

The beautiful game will be added to the list on Wednesday evening and Australia is currently in a state of Matildas mania.

And the Lionesses can expect a hostile atmosphere in Sydney after World Cup semi-final tickets intended for England fans were bought up by Australians after the unique supporters’ code was leaked on social media.

An official allocation of 1,970 tickets to the England supporters was released following the Lionesses’ 2–1 win over Colombia.

A notice on the Football Association’s website stated that the access code ‘Lioness’ was exclusive to England fans. But several Australian supporters have managed to buy tickets in their opponents’ section of the stadium, boasting that they would be wearing ‘Matildas’ shirts.

A Facebook post on the Matildas and A-League Women Supporters Group page, which has since been deleted, revealed the code fans needed to purchase tickets.

On Tuesday, Wiegman said her players were well aware of the welcome that awaited them.

“I don’t think they (Australia) are the underdog, they’re playing at home, the stadium will be beautiful,” she told reporters at a news conference.

“I think there are two teams that are very good and very strong and have grown into the tournament.

“So I think it’s going to be very tight and very, very competitive.”