March 23rd 2024.
Joey Barton has sparked controversy with his recent misogynistic remarks directed towards female commentators, players, and broadcasters. On February 17, 2024, there was a highly anticipated match between Arsenal and Manchester United in North London. The stadium was packed with enthusiastic fans who had gathered at the Coronet pub on Holloway Road before heading to the Emirates Stadium for a 12:30pm kickoff.
As the crowd made their way to the stadium, their cheering and chanting could be heard echoing through the tunnel. It was a lively and joyful scene, until one takes a closer look at the comments being made on social media. Comments such as 'child offenders every last one of them', 'freakshow fans', and 'get back in the kitchen daft cows' were seen, leaving Sue Anstiss MBE of Fearless Women feeling disheartened. Fearless Women is an organization that works with brands and campaigns to promote change in women's sports.
Sue, a strong advocate for the growth of women's sports, has worked tirelessly to understand the mindset of those who oppose it. She believes it's sad that such comments have become normalized and wonders why some men are against the idea of women in sports. "Some of these men are probably married, they might have daughters, sisters, nieces. It's not like they exist in a world where women aren't there," she tells Metro. "There are so many things in sports that men love and value, such as connections, community, emotional celebrations, and overcoming loneliness. Why wouldn't you want that for everybody?"
Professor Stacey Pope of Durham University has also delved into this topic and found that football is often seen as a last bastion of masculinity, where men can be "real men." Any female presence in this space can provoke extreme levels of hostility. "If you go back 10 years, women's football was pretty much invisible because it wasn't widely televised," Stacey explains. "We've seen a lot more coverage of women's sports and major developments since then, but with changes comes backlash."
The video of Arsenal fans marching to the stadium, shown above, is not uncommon in the world of football. However, it seems to be met with more resistance when it comes to women's football. Sue believes this is because some men feel threatened by women entering a traditionally male-dominated space and potentially "feminizing" it. "It's a very instinctive fear about something undermining who they are as men. It's not necessarily their fault, but more a result of how they have been brought up to see masculinity – and what it means to be a 'real man' in society."
The online abuse fueled by individuals like Joey Barton, who has targeted Eni Aluko, Mary Earps, and Alex Scott, has been called out as dangerous by Sue. She believes that if someone doesn't like something, they should simply not watch it, rather than spreading negativity on social media. "If I hear a DJ I don't particularly like on the radio, I'd turn over and listen to something else. I wouldn't go on social media to tell the world I don't think they're good at their job."
Looking at the comments on the video, it's clear that the majority of the hostile ones are left by anonymous users. However, some are more open with their identity, with some even having their own profile pictures with women in them. This raises the question of how common these views truly are. Professor Stacey Pope conducted a survey in 2022, where she asked 1,950 men's football fans about their opinions on women in sports. Shockingly, 68% of the responses showed openly misogynistic attitudes towards increased coverage of women's sports, with some even stating that it's all "PC bollocks."
On the other hand, there were 24% of respondents who had progressive attitudes and were supportive of the increased equality in coverage. Some of these men admitted to having sexist opinions in the past, but their views changed when they saw women's games on television. Despite the backlash, women's football continues to grow, with record-breaking attendances at matches and more coverage in the media. As Aitana Bonmatí smiles with fans at a Barcelona v Real Madrid match and the 91,553-strong crowd cheers on the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup final, it's clear that women's sports are here to stay.
Joey Barton has been causing quite a stir with his recent misogynistic remarks directed towards female commentators, players, and broadcasters. It's disheartening to see such behavior in this day and age, but unfortunately, it's not surprising. On February 17, 2024, the streets of North London were filled with a sea of red and white as fans made their way to Emirates Stadium for the highly anticipated match between Arsenal and Manchester United. The atmosphere was electric as fans, young and old, chanted and sang their way through the streets towards the stadium.
However, amidst all the excitement, there were some troubling comments being made online. In a video posted on social media, derogatory and sexist remarks were being directed towards women. It's a sad reality that women in the world of sports still face such discrimination, and it's disheartening to see such comments being made without any sense of remorse or understanding.
Sue Anstiss MBE, the founder of Fearless Women, an organization that promotes women's sports, has been a strong advocate for the growth and recognition of women in sports. In her Netflix film, Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women's Sport, she highlights the tremendous progress that has been made by women in sports, but also sheds light on the challenges they still face in a male-dominated industry.
As CEO of Fearless Women, Sue has encountered many individuals who hold strong negative views towards women in sports. She believes that it's important to try and understand their perspective and why they feel threatened or opposed to the growth of women's sports. After all, these individuals may have daughters, sisters, or nieces who are also involved in sports. It's important to recognize that women are an integral part of the sports community and deserve equal opportunities and recognition.
Professor Stacey Pope, who has conducted extensive research on the topic, believes that football, in particular, is seen as a last bastion of masculinity. This mentality often leads to extreme hostility towards women in the sport, as they are perceived as a threat to the traditional male-dominated environment. However, with the increasing visibility of women's sports, there has been a backlash from some individuals who are resistant to change.
The video of fans marching towards the stadium, known as 'fanwalks', is a common sight in football. The Ashburton Army, a group of Arsenal fans, regularly march down the streets towards the stadium, creating banners and chants along the way. However, when it comes to women's football, these fanwalks are met with criticism and hostility. It's almost as if the presence of women in this traditionally male space is seen as a threat to their identity as men.
The online abuse and hostility towards women in sports, fueled by individuals like Joey Barton, are unacceptable. As Sue points out, if someone doesn't enjoy a particular sport or commentator, they can simply change the channel or not watch. There's no need to spread hate and negativity. We all have different preferences and opinions, and that should be respected.
It's disheartening to see that a majority of the hostile comments online are made by anonymous users, hiding behind a screen. However, it's also alarming to see that some individuals are not afraid to publicly showcase their misogynistic views, even with their profile pictures showing them with women and young girls. Stacey's research has also shown that a significant number of football fans hold openly sexist and hostile views towards women's sports, with a smaller percentage being open to change and equality.
Despite the challenges and discrimination, women's sports have come a long way, with the recent successes of the Lionesses and the increasing coverage and recognition of women's games. It's a step in the right direction, but there's still a long way to go. Let's hope that with continued efforts and advocacy, we can create a more inclusive and equal playing field for all sports, regardless of gender.
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