Women in Football, a group of campaigners against sexism, has spoken out about recent incidents in the Premier League and the lack of attention/punishment that has resulted.
The group has indicated that they’ve tallied thirteen serious incidents in all, highlighted by two involving Chelsea physio Eva Carneiro that were both shockingly caught on video. The first occurred at Stamford Bridge in early October, where a group of visiting Arsenal supporters chanted “Have you ever had a Gooner up your arse?” at her as she gave medical attention to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Twenty-one days later at Old Trafford, a handful of Manchester United fans chanted: “Get your tits out for the lads,” at Carneiro as she approached the touchline. An individual was also heard shouting something that I’d rather not repeat. An event such as this one is absolutely disgraceful, view it at your own discretion:
A spokesperson said: “Women in Football are appalled that sexist abuse has been allowed to thrive, unchecked, around some of the country’s most iconic football stadiums. We are gravely concerned at a lack of action on this issue, and the negative message this sends to women in the football industry. We urge the authorities to put sexism at the heart of football’s anti-discrimination agenda, alongside all the other strands that it must also tackle.”
Multiple groups have indeed expressed their frustration with the lack of action on the issue of sexism in football, and believe that until it is pursued as rigorously as racist and homophobic abuse, it will show no signs of being eradicated.
Laura Bates, founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, said: “We have received numerous entries from people who have experienced sexism, harassment or abuse while playing, watching, supporting or working in football. It is time for clubs and fans alike to stand together and take responsibility for creating a space where everybody can enjoy football, free from any kind of prejudice.”
Women in Football and the Everyday Sexism Project will be teaming up to launch a month-long campaign to fight the epidemic through social media.
Sexism happens everywhere, every day, and not just at football matches. Sexist discrimination countlessly occurs every twenty-four hours, and most of the time it unfortunately goes unnoticed.
However, it’s at football matches where sexism can be amplified. All attendees of a match on any given day can be unwillingly exposed to sexist chants bellowed by fans around them. Millions of people worldwide watch the Barclays Premier League on TV every weekend, and can be exposed to chanting from the crowd right through the broadcast.
On social media, once something is posted it can never be truly removed. Both incidents previously discussed were recorded and then shared on social media sites Vine and YouTube. This chilling fact can raise eyebrows and cause anyone to question, “Why were these horrible events recorded in the first place? And better yet, why were they posted online for the whole world to see?” It’s almost as though the disgusting troublemakers who uttered such discriminatory phrases were proud to have done so, and wanted to show everyone under the sun just how chauvinistic and brazen they were.
The beautiful game brings people together in many wonderful ways, but can also separate them. Fans of clubs often tend to segregate themselves from others, and this form of hatred can get nasty. But that’s football and it is an integral element of fandom. Football fans who discriminate each other or anyone on the pitch, such as Chelsea’s physio, for their race, gender, or sexual orientation are not football fans.
Sexism, racism, and homophobia have no place in society or in football. I’m a lucky young man that has a loving mother and two wonderful little sisters, and seeing and hearing these sexist incidents absolutely nauseate me. We need to all do our part and eliminate these issues from football!
Get involved and join Women in Football and the Everyday Sexism Project as they launch their month long campaign against sexism in football.
Follow them on Twitter @WomeninFootball and @EverydaySexism and visit them online at womeninfootball.co.uk and everydaysexism.com.
You can find me on Twitter at @ChelseaBlueUSA for all things Chelsea.
