MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City will be missing Khadija Shaw, the Women's Super League's top scorer last season, when they take on Paris FC in a Champions League match on Wednesday due to a visa issue.
Shaw was unable to travel to France for the first leg of the second round qualifying tie despite attempts to secure a visa, the Guardian said, with a request for an expedited visa application denied.
City are confident there will be no future visa issues, the report added - providing they overcome the French side and reach the group stage of the competition.
The 27-year-old Jamaican scored 21 goals in 18 WSL games last season, the second highest tally in league history behind the 22 scored by Vivianne Miedema for Arsenal in 2018-19 and Rachel Daly for Aston Villa in 2022-23.
Shaw's outstanding campaign earned her numerous honours including WSL player of the season, the Professional Footballers' Association women's player of the year and the Football Writers' Association women's footballer of the year.
City shored up their attacking ranks during the close season, signing Miedema to partner with Shaw up front.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
