Football News Update: Euro 2024, Champions League, and More
In a concerning development for the world of football, a recent survey conducted by Women in Football (WIF) has revealed widespread gender-based discrimination experienced by female professionals working in the industry.
The survey, which included responses from 995 women, showed that a staggering 89% (885) of the respondents have faced discrimination while working in football. Even more troubling, 60% of those who reported the incidents said that no action was taken, with 16% indicating that their complaints were not even heard.
WIF is a professional network with over 9,000 members, including individuals of all genders who work or volunteer in the football industry, and it is committed to promoting gender equality in the game.
The survey also included responses from 112 male participants, and the results paint a concerning picture. A significant majority (88%) of female respondents believe that women have to work harder than men to achieve the same recognition and benefits, with 74% of the male respondents agreeing with this sentiment.
Despite the grim findings, there is a glimmer of hope. Around 85% of the women surveyed and 91% of the men feel that opportunities for women in the football industry will improve in the future. Furthermore, 80% of the female respondents and 93% of the male respondents believe that more women will fill senior leadership roles in the coming years.
“Everyone knows that gender discrimination happens in football, but the problem isn’t just that it happens – there’s an even bigger problem around how football deals with it. Women deserve better. For real progress to be achieved at this point, the message of our survey is clear: listen to women, and act on what they tell you.” – Yvonne Harrison, the chief executive of Women in Football
As the football community grapples with these findings, it is crucial that immediate and meaningful action is taken to address the systemic issues of gender discrimination and ensure a more inclusive and equitable environment for all professionals in the sport.
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