Female media managers locked out of press conferences,
questions on your sexual preferences and strings of comments on your appearance – just some of the
issues raised by an interesting BBC documentary “Sexism in Football” this week.
Narrated by journalist Gabby Logan, the doco was packed with
examples of behaviour you might have thought extinct by now. Based on
interviews with women from “Women in Football” (WiF), it was an eye-opener.
Having worked in boxing for years, it wasn’t
so much that the behaviour was shocking but I was surprised it takes place
in such a mainstream sport. *shakes head at self *
Had to laugh at this story though: Logan was working at a football match and the
fans started shouting: ‘Get your tits out’. Sitting in the press box, she
ignored them as did the other journalists. Then Sir Bobby Robson, renowned
former England
manager, turned to the crowd, lifted his shirt and proceeded to massage his
chest in their general direction. Priceless.
One thing mentioned in every interview will ring a bell
for any woman working or playing in a male-dominated sphere – don’t rock the
boat! Some of the women Logan
approached declined to be interviewed, while others visibly pulled their
punch-lines.
“Sexism in Sport” was reaching for positivity towards the
end, looking at the inclusion of Helen Rabbatts on the FA Board and other
changes. There's been a big shift for example since this story of the Dick Kerr Ladies in 1921. This is what really makes the doco I think, we do have to recognise
the huge progress made in the last 50 years but the trick is to keep on
pushing.
What do you think – has your sport changed, is there more to
do?
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