Opiate for the Masses

All of the contributions on this blog are from final year undergraduate Sport Science students studying at Nottingham Trent University

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Gender Equality: Breaking the Barrier

Gender equality in sports is a long-standing topic for discussion. Inequitable opportunities, pay disparities, and issues concerning media representation are challenges all faced by female athletes. Inequities persist despite significant advancements, such as the US Women’s Football Teams equal pay agreement. According to Cooky, Messner, and Musto (2015), women account for 40% of athletes, although they receive a paltry 4% of media attention. This blog provides practical suggestions for advancement while exploring historical milestones, ongoing difficulties, and triumphs in the struggle for gender equality in sports.

Milestones

There have been a number significant advancements in the fight for gender equality in sports. These include:

Title IX (1972): This statute increased women’s involvement at all levels by prohibiting gender discrimination in sports and education in the United States.

FIFA Women’s World Cup (1991): The first women's tournament marked a major step towards the international recognition of women’s sports.

Equal Pay Victory (2022): A global standard for pay parity was established by the historic agreement reached by the US Women’s Football Team.

These achievements demonstrate how successful group efforts can be in resolving structural injustices.

Continuing Difficulties

Despite these developments, there remain numerous obstacles that female athletes must overcome. These include:

Pay Gap: Even when women’s teams outperform their male counterparts, male athletes frequently earn more money than female sportspeople. Male football players for instance, usually secure sponsorship agreements and better earnings (Culvin et al., 2022).

Leadership Representation: Advocates for gender equality are limited since women remain under represented in positions of decision-making in sports organisations (Staurowsky et al., 2022).

Resource Allocation: Female athletes frequently face barriers to financing, coaching, and training facilities, which limits their capacity to compete at the highest levels.

Media Coverage: Cooky et al. (2015) report how a cycle of undervaluation is maintained by the absence of media attention, which limits female athletes’ access to sponsorship and recognition chances. For example, less than 5% of televised sports coverage is dedicated to women’s sports, which perpetuates gender stereotypes.

Developments and Accomplishments

Despite these obstacles, there are positive indications of advancement, including Serena Williams and other athletes breaking down boundaries, securing high paying endorsement deals and motivating the next generation.

Growing Viewership: The enormous financial and cultural potential of women’s sports is demonstrated by events like the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, which attracted over 1 billion people globally.

Public Advocacy: The need for justice and representation has been fuelled by shift in attitudes brought about by increased activity and awareness. 

Suggestions for Modification

Coordinated actions are necessary to achieve gender equality in sports. Below are some examples:

Equal Pay and Sponsorship: Establish rules requiring male and female athletes to receive the same compensation, especially in sports with similar performance indicators.

Media Involvement: Fund campaigns, coverage and easily available broadcasts to advance women’s sports. This would draw sponsorships and help break down preconceptions.

Leadership Opportunities: To promote fair laws and procedures, increase the number of women on executive boards and in positions of decision-making.

Grassroots Development: To Foster potential and guarantee a strong pipeline of future pros, give young female athletes equitable access to training facilities and money. 

Photo by My Profit Tutor on Unsplash

Public Accountability: Create oversight organisations to keep tabs on gender equality indicators’ advancement, guaranteeing accountability and openness in sports organisations.

Conclusion

Despite some noteworthy advancements, the fight for gender equality in athletics is continuing. We can get closer to a level playing field by tackling structural problems like media representation, leadership inequalities, and salary inequities. A future where all athletes, regardless of gender, may compete on equal terms is possible, as evidenced by the accomplishments of advocates and athletes. A sports environment that represents justice, inclusion, and equal chances for everyone may be created by addressing these structural issues and making equity investments.

Further reading

If you are interested in learning more, the following academic papers are recommended:

Cooky, C., Messner, M. A., & Musto, M. (2015). “It’s dude time!” A quarter century of excluding women’s sports in televised news and highlight shows. Communication & Sport, 3(3), 261-287.

Culvin, A., Bowes, A., Carrick, S., & Pope, S. (2022). The price of success: Equal pay and the US women’s national soccer team. Soccer & Society, 23(8), 920-931.

Staurowsky, E. J., Flowers, C. L., Buzuvis, E., Darvin, L., & Welch, N. (2022). The Women’s Sports Foundation 50 years of Title IX: We’re not done yet executive summary and policy recommendations. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 30(2), 71-84.

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Sport as escapism: Why are we trying to escape our reality?

In an increasingly turbulent world, sport can provide an escape from an often cruel and distressing reality. Sport can be an escape from the daily grind and the occasional global crisis (Segrave, 2000). However, whilst you’re playing your favourite game or travelling to watch your team lose away from home (again!), it can be all too easy to overlook more pressing issues. Or is sport a veil to make us do so?

From sportswashing to greenwashing, we can often be distracted by the beauty of sport. Sport plays a significant role in shaping public perception and has potentially far-reaching consequences for the people involved, and the planet itself.

Sport for many of us is an escape from reality. Still, unfortunately it perpetuates often harmful corporate practices and has a significant impact on our environment which we need to participate in sports.

Sport as escapism

Sport allows fans and participants to have a temporary escape. In turn this provides opportunities to join in with the collective sense of happiness and belonging (Reysen et al., 2010). Sport can also help lead us to individual growth and bring us a real sense of identity, which is why it is such an easy escape (Wankel et al., 1990).

Major global sporting events such as Wimbledon, the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup provide temporary relief from socio-political issues. These fixes are however only temporary and permanent action is needed if we want to continue playing and watching the sports we love so much. Can you imagine a world where Wimbledon is no longer played on grass courts because the temperatures soar too high for the grass to grow?

The Paradox of Sport

However, within these sporting events lies a paradox; whilst we are so busy focusing on the game, we are blind to the issues behind the scenes. For example, in preparation for the 2022 Qatar World Cup: “Between 2010 and 2013, more than 1,200 labour migrants working in Qatar’s construction sector died, with another 4,000 deaths projected by the start of the event” (Ganji, 2016 p.221). This distressing example shows that the excitement and hype around the event can often distract people from the issues surrounding it, or are we just voluntarily ignoring them?

Sportswashing and greenwashing

Sportswashing is a term which is used to describe the strategy of an organisation to use sport to divert attention away from political or ethical issues (Fruh et al., 2023). A clear example of sportswashing can be seen during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Japan was criticised for its controversial handling of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, as it did not support the affected communities and attempted to sweep the issue under the carpet (Boykoff et al., 2020). The Games still went ahead despite the world being in a pandemic, which raises a massive concern: what’s more important, sport or public health?

Greenwashing occurs when an organisation uses claims to support environmental sustainability whilst continuing to harm the planet and the environment in which we live (Dahl, 2010). A notable example of greenwashing can be seen in Formula One. The latter announced an ambitious sustainability plan to become Net Zero Carbon by 2030, and the sport has been busy implementing new measures such as biofuels and hybrid engines (Sturm et al., 2024). However, air travel, transportation of equipment, hosting large-scale races and the use of combustion engines all harm the environment and therefore are hardly sustainable practices (Sturm et al., 2024).

Hidden environmental impacts

Despite the ever-increasing awareness and prominence of ‘green’ initiatives in sports, the environmental impact more often than not is overlooked (Song, 2022). During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, the organisers opted to use artificial snow over natural snow: “It was estimated that 228.8 million litres of water were used to create this artificial snow” (Song, 2022). The creation of so much artificial snow would have been both energy and resource intensive and harmful to the environment (Song, 2022). Should the Winter Olympics ever be held somewhere without enough natural snowfall to support the event?

With the massive carbon footprint that these mega sporting events leave, it's clear that environmental impacts cannot be ignored, and organisations such as the IOC need to make greater efforts to improve their sustainability credentials (Collins et al., 2009).

The cost of enjoyment

Whilst sport offers a fun and immersive, temporary escape, it also, unfortunately, acts as a veil for organisations to use the good of sport to obscure and disguise the not-so-pretty reality. As we cheer on our favourite team, remember the games we love often come with a hidden cost and we are all accountable for blindsiding this important issue. The next time we tune in to watch or arrive to participate in a sporting event, let's remember to question the true cost of our entertainment.

So, how can we make a difference?

We need to take action for a more sustainable, ethical and sporting world. We need to act now, and here’s how:

Hold organisations to account

If large sporting organisations such as the IOC partner with harmful regimes, we should speak up, use our social media presence, sign petitions and demand more transparency.

Support real sustainability

Make conscious decisions when using brands, are they genuinely prioritising sustainability? Perhaps look for green flags such as B Corp certification or clear sustainability pledges.

Protect workers' rights

Support campaigns for better treatment of workers, who deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. As well as raising awareness by sharing this information.

Rethink your personal travel and carbon footprint

Consider public transport or car sharing to attend events and reduce your carbon footprint. Support events that minimise travel!

Support local, sustainable events

Mega events such as a Rugby World Cup or the Olympics take a huge toll on the environment and leave big costs. Consider smaller local events and support your local community, thus making a conscious decision to be more sustainable and reduce the need for excessive travel and infrastructure.

Our choice matters! We can help create a sporting world that benefits everyone and our planet.

See below to take action now.

Petitions:

Petition: Ban fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship

Advertisements encourage the use of products and sponsorship promotes a positive reputation & creates a social licence of trust & acceptabil

Further readings:

Campaign Aims To Expose Big Soda's 'Sportswashing;' Petition Captures 255,000 Signatures - Health Policy Watch

The "Kick Big Soda Out!" campaign launched on July 8, 2024 ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and ran through the end of the Paralympics. It’s

What can sport fans do if their team, or league, is being sportswashed?

Sportwashing is becoming more entrenched across the globe, but there are various methods fans can use if they want to resist it.

UK Sport Environmental Sustainability Strategy sets a goal for high-performance sport to have a net positive impact on the environment by 20

Contact me:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-archibald-023716295

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Cutting contact: should schools be allowed to keep contact sports compulsory?

Many of us look back on our school days fondly, remembering the camaraderie we had with our peers. Some would’ve found this on the pitches and courts as we fought arm in arm for pride and bragging rights. Lifelong friends were made, and achievements won that still make us proud.

However, have you ever stopped to consider what was put on the line to curate these trophy cabinets? Should schools require students to participate in contact sports knowing what we know now. With concussion related symptoms all the way to largely increased risks of dementia in later years, we understand the risks better than we ever have. Should this be allowed to continue? What are the alternatives? How can YOU help change the status quo?

The Controversy

The age to consent and participate varies between activities in the UK.

At the ages of 16 and 18 young people are given access to:

Begin full time work.

Give consent to having sex.

Drop out of education.

Vote.

Take out a loan.

Get married.

Purchase tobacco.

Purchase alcohol.

Gamble.

Fight in a war.

This is because children lack the decision making, experience and information to properly consider the consequences*. We have to be older before we can understand how these activities will affect us in the long run. So, to protect our youngest generation, we block them out.

As a society we now know a lot about head injuries, but the non-scientists among us don’t. This means students and parents are missing one of the criteria for being able to participate and, more importantly, consent. But even if we are informed, we still don’t get a choice?

Just over four-fifths of state-funded secondary school boys, and one-half of secondary school girls were exposed to Rugby Union within their secondary school physical education. After soccer and athletics, Rugby Union was the third-highest activity that was made compulsory for boys (208 of 229 schools, 91%)*.

Consent

When voluntarily participating in sport, we know there is a higher risk of injury than everyday life. We decide on our own what amount of risk is acceptable for us*. As physical education is part of the UK’s curriculum* that decision instead goes to the school and governing bodies. If their level of acceptable risk is higher than our own, then we have not provided consent.

Informed consent

Informed consent by definition is “providing appropriate information to a competent individual to promote understanding and decision making”*. If they expect students to participate, they should inform the parents of the risks of participation. We deserve to make an informed choice!

The Science

Put simply, head injuries are bad. That’s the issue and what’s most important to remember.

Short term

Concussions are something we are all aware of, whether we’ve had them, given one to someone else or done both at the same time with a teammate (sorry James). Research shows that after a first concussion, baseline cognitive functioning returns after 48 hours*.

However, second impact syndrome (SIS) can kill. SIS is when a second head impact is taken before the first has fully healed, with worse outcomes more likely in children. In 17 cases studied, 10 out of 12 cases with poor outcomes (death or permanent disability) were under 18 years old. Whereas 4 out of 5 cases with good outcomes were over 19 years old*. This can happen as long as a month after the first injury. Click here for an article about 14 year old Benjamin Robinson who died of SIS whilst playing rugby in the UK.

Mental health issues have also been heavily linked to concussions in under 18’s. There is a greater chance of mental health visit’s, psychiatric hospitalization, and self-harm post-concussion*. This presents the need to follow a student closely and assess for mental health issues that have arisen after an injury, both at home and school. Communication must be paramount between schools and parents to make the best assessment for the child’s wellbeing. I personally received a minor concussion whilst playing rugby for my school and did not receive any follow up checks.

Long term

Knocks to the head can vary from seemingly minor to life threatening, but even the heading of a football or a whiplash movement can have long lasting damage. These are called head accelerating events (HAEs) and cause low-level cellular damage in the brain, classified as sub-concussive*. These add on to one another, and the more we get the more significant the damage is*.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a form of dementia which can occur because of these minor injuries (read more about it here). In one study of ex NFL players, CTE  was found in 110 out of 111 brains studied*. It can cause mood disorders, cognitive difficulties, headaches, suicidal ideation, aggressive behaviour, and difficulty with speech*. It is incurable, it is aggressive, and it can being to happen as young as 17*.

This is worrying, and you should be concerned. The blows we take to the head for this to happen are minor, we won’t have any immediate effects, but it builds up. Not everyone will be afflicted, but seeing what these minor damages can do to the brain in the long term makes you wonder why we expect children to receive them.

Every 1 year younger that participants began to play American football resulted in earlier reported onset of behavioural/mood symptoms by approximately 2.5 years, and cognitive symptoms by approximately 3 years*. If a child starts contact sports in Year 7 in the UK they would be 11 to 12 years old, if we didn’t allow situations for sub-concussive blows until the age of even 16, it would push back the start of these behavioural and cognitive symptoms by more than a decade.

What next?

Firstly, the most important thing anyone can do is educate themselves on the risks involved in repeated head traumas. All of the research done has been linked to the points made in this post. But I urge you to look more in depth at any points that take your interest.

Secondly, if this post affects you or your child, have a discussion with them. If you conclude that you don’t want your child taking part in contact sports remember that it’s a decision that will affect them socially. This is about protecting children from harm whilst still letting them have fun. Also be prepared for backlash from the school, remember you deserve to make an informed decision and do what you think is right.

We are already seeing a shift in the attitudes in football, where the FA are banning headers in all under 12’s over the next few years (read more here). This hopefully begins a paradigm shift in sports where it is easier to take out the parts of the game where HAEs can occur.

For other sports like rugby, where blows are an unavoidable part of the game, we can already see a decline in participation (read more here) due to safety concerns. Perhaps it is time to give non-contact sports the spotlight. Non-contact rugby has been shown to provide a wide range of physical, mental health and well being benefits. Whereas it is unclear if contact rugby offers the same benefits, being dangerous and potentially exclusive*. 

Let me know what you think about this issue in the comments. What should happen next? What will you do next? And always stand up for what you think is right.

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Football’s Inclusivity Problem: When Supporting One Group Silences Another

*Read the bold for the short blog

As a sports sociology student and advocate for social change, I approach this topic with a commitment to understanding the intersections of sport, identity, and societal values.

Ultimately, one must ask: Is football, and sport in general, truly achieving inclusivity, or is it merely paying lip service at the expense of the players?

The words “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” hold deep personal significance for many, including myself. However, these words have sparked controversy in sport, as seen in the case of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, and his stance on the Premier League's (PL) rainbow armband campaign.

Figure 1 - Photo by Paul Shaw on Unsplash

During the Rainbow Laces campaign (29th Nov – 5th Dec 24), the Premier League and Stonewall promoted LGBTQ+ inclusion and tackled discrimination in sport using rainbow-themed items. However, the backlash against Guéhi for expressing his Christian beliefs by adding "I love Jesus" to his armband raised questions about the inclusiveness of similar initiatives such as BLM in sports, No Room for Racism and Women’s Sports Trust and Gender Equality. Guéhi faced criticism despite not making derogatory comments, highlighting a potential double standard in how expressions of faith are treated. He received a public warning from the FA but stood firm, later writing “Jesus loves you” in his next game.

Provocative? Yes. Offensive? Arguably, no. It was an expression of love and inclusivity from the Christian faith, championing the campaign’s message that no one is left. So why the uproar?

Interestingly, others declined to wear the rainbow armband for religious reasons, including Sam Morsy, captain of Ipswich Town FC, and a practising Muslim. Similarly, Orkun Kökçü of Feyenoord and a group of Muslim players from Toulouse FC made similar decisions but faced far less scrutiny.

The FA cited Guéhi as being in breach of FA Rule E3, which covers improper conduct, insinuating he had used offensive or threatening language referencing a protected characteristic. Is the PL’s acknowledgement of Muslim players fasting during Ramadan and making provisions the same as the expression of faith by a Christian plauer? What does this suggest about the distinction between acknowledging and expressing religious beliefs in professional sports?

Guéhi's actions highlight the tension between personal belief and institutional messaging in sport. His father, a church minister, accused the FA of double standards, pointing out the acceptance of religious references in national events like the FA Cup Final, where the hymn "Abide With Me" is sung, while criticising his son’s expression of faith. Activism plays a crucial role in democracy, as nobody should be told how to think or feel (Magrath, 2021).

Figure 2 - Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

From a sociological perspective, these instances reveal the complex interplay between individual beliefs, institutional values, and societal expectations. They also expose the challenges of creating truly inclusive spaces within sport, where multiple identities and perspectives coexist. Many athletes see their sports to escape the additional stressors they face in their daily lives (Newman et al., 2016), and debates like this only add to their mental load.

The controversy surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the PL’s Rainbow Laces campaign highlights the selective nature with which organisations like the FA push social justice agendas. Sportswashing, a term defining the use of sport by oppressive regimes to distract from human rights abuses, is pertinent here (Fruh et al., 2022).

While the FA and PL champion LGBTQ+ inclusivity through initiatives like Rainbow Laces, their financial ties to Qatar—a country with a notorious human rights record—expose their hypocrisy. Qatar’s criminalisation of homosexuality and oppressive laws starkly contrast the values promoted by these organisations. Yet, their lucrative commercial relationships with Qatari entities, such as Qatar Airways, go unchallenged.

This inconsistency reflects performative allyship, where organisations outwardly support social causes but fail to take meaningful action when economic interests are at stake. The PL’s acceptance of Qatari sponsorships undermines their LGBTQ+ advocacy, revealing the limitations of global sport as a vehicle for genuine social change.

These examples emphasise the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with inclusion, as it involves conflicting ideologies—religion and LGBTQ+ rights—within the public sphere of football. It raises questions about how sport navigates diverse belief systems while promoting unity. As homophobia declines, men are less policed by homohysteria (White et al., 2017).

The argument that Christian players face more scrutiny for expressing their faith compared to Muslim players highlights a perceived double standard in sport. Muslim players, particularly during Ramadan, are often accommodated with breaks for hydration, as seen in the Premier League. In contrast, Christian players face criticism for visible expressions of faith, such as wearing crosses or making the sign of the cross, with figures like Fabrice Muamba and Tim Howard facing media attention for discussing or displaying their beliefs. This disparity may stem from Christianity's historical dominance in the West, where its expressions are seen as mainstream, while minority religions are more actively accommodated. It also reflects secularisation, where traditional religious views are often sidelined in favour of cultural diversity, with the scrutiny of Christian players aiming to balance respect for faith with professional neutrality.

This controversy reflects broader societal struggles around diversity and inclusion. From a critical theory perspective, dominant ideologies within sport—shaped by Western liberal values—can marginalise alternative viewpoints, such as those informed by religious beliefs. This creates an environment where certain groups face greater criticism for expressing dissent, as evidenced by the backlash against Guéhi compared to his Muslim counterparts. Kaufman and Wolff's (2010) research on sport as a vehicle for social change demonstrates how athletes can be both empowered and constrained by institutional expectations. This tension is evident in Guéhi's case, where his attempt to express faith within the framework of inclusion met institutional resistance.

Through an intersectional lens, this situation reveals how overlapping identities—faith, ethnicity, and professional roles—impact public reactions. Christian players, often perceived as part of the majority in Western contexts, may face greater scrutiny because they challenge norms within a dominant framework. In contrast, Muslim players, associated with minority status, evoke different societal responses, reflecting cultural sensitivities and implicit biases.

There's also the issue of unspoken expectations placed on players. While supporting initiatives like Rainbow Laces or taking the knee isn’t mandatory, implicit pressure often compels players to participate, regardless of their personal beliefs. Those uncomfortable supporting such causes risk being branded as unsupportive, even though freedom of expression should extend to everyone.

This highlights a double standard within sports, where players who try to make a difference may be criticised, while those who refuse to participate in such movements face little consequence. The focus should be on supporting players brave enough to stand up for their beliefs while pushing sports organisations to implement genuine, lasting change.

Moving Forward

As a student of sports sociology, my aim is to explore how campaigns for inclusivity can be both effective and genuinely inclusive. How can sport become a space where diverse beliefs are respected without compromising the push for social progress? Using sociological theories, we can interrogate the ways power, culture, and identity shape these debates, ultimately working towards a more equitable sporting world.

Football clubs and governing bodies must go beyond visible acts of support. Cooper et al. (2019) emphasise that genuine social change in sport requires both individual activism and institutional support. Sustainable progress depends on creating spaces where diverse identities are respected while maintaining a commitment to equality. Institutions must implement long-term changes that tackle discrimination head-on, ensuring players can express their beliefs without fear.

The changes I want to see in football and sport go beyond symbolic gestures to create real, lasting impact. We need true inclusivity, with policies that actively support LGBTQ+ players and fans, ensuring football is a safe space for all. Players who take a stand should feel empowered, not fearful of backlash. Grassroots investment is essential to promote inclusivity at every level, not just the elite.

Football organisations must be accountable, taking concrete actions instead of issuing empty statements. Inclusivity should be an ongoing dialogue, not limited to specific campaigns.

Ultimately, football can create real, systemic change by moving beyond performative actions and becoming genuinely inclusive.

Figure 3 - Photo by Lars Bo Nielsen on Unsplash

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#AnotherUnequalOlympics

Confronting the issue of sexism at the 2024 Olympics

When you think of the top Olympians in the world, who do you think of? Most people would say individuals such as Usain Bolt, Mo Farah or Micheal Phelps. This alone reinforces the lack of recognition female athletes obtain, even at the elite level. In a world where there are constant changes, and developing societal standards, female Olympians are still at the forefront of sexism and gender criticism.

In this blog, I will be discussing these aspects through my personal interpretation, supported by published literature and content found online. I will further analyse how these issues reflect contemporary society and what collectively should be done.

Sexism at the #genderEqualOlympics

Despite the International Olympic Committee pushing the narrative of an Olympic Games with gender equality at the heart of the competition, there were several gender related issues.

One priority the IOC stated was their focus on equal numbers of male and female athletes competing. They had previously called the Games a “historic” moment due to a 50/50 split in gender representation.

However, when the numbers were released, it showed a clear difference with 5,630 male athletes and 5,416 female athletes. These figures, whilst showing an improvement in the number of female athletes, nevertheless highlight a difference in the representation of men and women in sport.

It could be argued that this is due to the societal norms which influence the process of becoming an Olympian and the sexism women face in the sports industry. For example, it is estimated that in the European Union, 45% of men exercise or play sport once a week, compared to 37% of women. These figures are even worse when it comes to team sports with 69% of boys aged 5-16 engaged in a team sport compared to 47% of girls. These participation statistics show a clear disparity between men and women and could be a contributing factor as to why there is a heavily male dominant field at the Olympics.

The other issue I want to discuss is the camera operators at the 2024 Games. Having already been warned to avoid “sexist” portrayals of sportswomen by the official broadcasters, the mostly male camera teams continued to shoot a large amount of female competitors ‘close-up’.

It was recognised so much as an issue, that the Olympics Broadcasting Services had to update its guidelines. This clear violation against the female Olympians supports the ‘male-gaze’ theory which essentially suggests that women are merely an object for male entertainment (click here to read more on this theory).

The CEO of the Olympic Broadcasting Services (Yiannis Exarchos) made a statement on this issue, stating “women athletes are not there because they are more attractive or sexy or whatever. They are there because they are elite athletes”. This support and defence for female athletes alongside the rescheduling of events so women gain primetime slots suggests a positive shift in how the Games are broadcast.

You would like to imagine that in 2024, there has been enough societal gender development where we can avoid the sexual commodification of professional athletes. However, with incidents like this occurring on arguably the largest stage in the sport industry, it echoes the notion that we still have much to change. The broadcasting of these athletes should showcase their achievements and skill, however, this sexualisation merely focuses on the individual’s appearance and pushes the idea of objectification.

A few other noticeable instances of sexism at the recent summer Olympics include the lack of female representation within the coaches, with only 13% of coaches being women. The sexist comment made by Bob Ballard was also a talking point of controversy. I also believe people should educate themselves on the Hijab ban at the 2024 Games. All of these instances tell me, that despite significant changes in recent years towards gender equality in sport, there are still many societal dynamics and deep-rooted gender norms which must transform in the years to come.

Being an Agent of Change

Sexism has been an issue built within the foundations of the Olympics for too long. The institutionalisation of this social dilemma can be seen throughout the history of sport. For this to change, society must take on a multifaceted approached to reduce all levels of discrimination.

In my opinion, the best way for this to occur - at least in the long run - is to educate people of the level of sexism that has happened and its effects. This is achievable by implementing sexism into education curriculums in schools, sports clubs, organisations and other environments.

There should also be a rise of support networks provided to athletes such as mental health support, advocacy groups or legal resources, this would help them feel empowered to confront sexism. This will also promote the challenging of harmful stereotypes and encourage gender equality.

I also believe there should be an elevation of female representation in leadership roles within the IOC, event organising committees and National Governing Bodies. This includes an increase of women in the broadcasting team at the Olympics to mitigate against the occurrence of sexualisation.

Finally, I believe increasing female representation would ensure female Olympians needs are appropriately met, this diversity in decision-making roles would also lead to more unbiased policies and a greater focus on gender equality.

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Ignorance is bliss: the narrative of sportswashing reviewed

When will people jump off the bandwagon? When will people have the courage and challenge the narrative of sportswashing?!

Sportswashing is a term commonly used, especially in articles criticising Middle Eastern countries hosting major sporting competitions. A buzz word that’s gained a lot of media attraction; sportswashing is a ‘phenomenon in which political leaders use sport to appear important or legitimate on the world stage whilst distracting from chronic social problems and human rights abuses at home” (Boykoff 2022:342). It was a term first used towards criticising Azerbaijan hosting the 2015 European Games and now our eyes turn to Saudi Arabia hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

The argument for sportswashing is one that is genuine and well-intended however it’s important to highlight and question what points it misses and tone of language it sets. Being an avid reader of sport articles, ‘blatant sportswashing’ is what is described to me whenever I read about this topic. It made me feel that sports were just a pawn and despised countries like Saudi Arabia etc.

I decided to go against the narrative and attempt to seek reasons other than sportswashing and challenge its term.  Formulating an opinion that’s looked at all angles is an opinion that’s more well-rounded than an opinion that looks at one side of the story, don’t you think?

White man’s burden

There lies an ideological burden when scholars and journalist use the language of sportswashing. It simplifies and fails to shed light on the complexity of sport policies as well as a prejudiced tone towards these authoritarian regimes (Elsborg, 2022). Admittedly criticism has tended to focus on autocratic governments; however, when countries promote similar use of sport, e.g., South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup despite xenophobic attacks occurring that resulted in 62 dead, these practices are understood as ‘sports diplomacy’ (Soyland,2020). Why the contradiction?

Sports diplomacy projects a mutual, positive, and arguably friendlier choice of language in contrast to the action provoking metaphor of sportswashing. I would argue its use can be challenged as subjective and ultimately positions countries that are more liberal, democratic, and Western-friendly at a higher moral standing.

Perhaps this comes because between 2000 and 2020 65% of papers concerning political use of sport and sport diplomacy derived from affluent parts of the globe of Europe and North America (Postlethwaite et al., 2023).  Susceptibility to falling into a narrative of eurocentrism (an ideological perspective that favours European culture and values above else) is at risk due to minimal representation from other continents. We need to acknowledge and give a platform to those that are less represented in the field of literature to contribute and challenge or support narratives being portrayed.

Double-edge sword

Sportswashing is not just a one-way process. People should acknowledge and be aware that for a country to host such event, the governing bodies of the sport Like FIFA, IOC needs to give the approval it requires for it occur in the country. Therefore, the definition of sportswashing should acknowledge that it isn’t solely the country involved but also the sport’s governing body responsible.

There is further complexity when global capitalism is involved. The EU is Saudi Arabis’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for 14.8% of its global trade, including exporting 7.8% of crude oil. Furthermore, economic co-operation has strengthened between UK and Qatar. The state of Pearl is set to buy another 12 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, displaying that the two nations are willing to do business despite cultural differences.

The notion of ‘double standards’ is unavoidable. If these countries with terrible human rights record are at fault, why are we doing business with such nations? Surely, we should distance ourselves rather than associate? Criticism is one thing, but acting upon it is another.

Criticism of such nature may consequently lead to damaged relations and withdrawals from trade agreements, which can have significant impact towards our economy and cause problems such as energy shortages and spike in energy costs. You can read more about the importance of maintaining an interest in the Middle East here.  Maintaining a cooperative relation with the Middle East is pivotal and thus the narrative of sportswashing may have unintended consequences to what it was set out to do originally. 

My aim is to challenge and push away from the generalised narrative of sportswashing but to observe it on a wider scale and be open to reasons that can question its legitimacy. I believe that sports and politics will always be intertwined, and how we interpret it and why we interpret it in such a way is crucial in the way we see things in society.

Concluding Thoughts

Ultimately its up you, the reader to interpret how you see the narrative of sportswashing.

Looking ahead in the future, more collaborative work and partnerships should be formed with countries and their educational institutions that are underrepresented respectively. Subsequently this would ensure a much more universal approach when discussing the narration of sportswashing. As well as that, critics that support sportswashing must also hold sport organisations accountable and include them more in their point of argument.

Taking action

Educate ourselves further with the issues surrounding sportswashing. Ensure to read different articles from different sources. Who benefits from a particular policy or narrative? What are the potential downsides? Who might be left out of the conversation?

Talk to people from different nationality and cultural backgrounds. Ask for their opinion and see how their backgrounds influence and shape their opinion.

Be willing to show emphasis. If you were a Qatari citizen, how would you feel about your country hosting a global sporting event? Would you perceive different nations differently and if so, why?

So, what do you think of the narrative of sportswashing? Is it justifiable or are there more parts to be unveiled? Please get stuck in the comments and let me know your thoughts and opinions!

Further readings

What’s wrong with Sportswashing?

And what is so suspicious about it?

The Saudi Pro League: A Failed Experiment in Sportswashing?

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s shock transfer from Manchester United to Al Nassr in January 2023, constant discussion emerged concerning whic

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Men vs. Women: The Bout for Equality

Boxing. One of the world's most dangerous sports, dominated by male participants. But why is this? Why is there a lack of female participation? What has caused such an obvious divide between men and women? Can we combat it?

The origins of boxing can be traced back to Ancient Greece in 688 BC where the first bout took place in the 23rd Olympiad. Though, modern boxing was established in the 1880s.

Women have had opportunities to participate in the sport since the 18th century. However, most of the first bouts in women’s boxing were staged or done in secrecy, away from the public eye. In the UK, it wasn’t until 1996 that women were legally allowed to compete and join boxing clubs.

“Deep down I think women shouldn’t fight. That’s my opinion . . . When you get hit it’s very painful. Women can get knocked out” - Amir Khan, 2009. From the mouth of a professional boxer, we are still seeing injustices towards women in the sport. Why do biological differences mean that women are incapable of fighting? The phrase “women can get knocked out” implies that women are significantly weaker than men, when in reality some of the greatest male boxers also lose by KO in their bouts. So aren’t we all equally at risk of a knockout?

Jackson Vs Booker, 2023

It took a further 16 years for women to be allowed to compete in an Olympic Games. London 2012 was the first Olympics to host women’s boxing events. Despite this breakthrough however, women were still facing inequalities.

Compared to a men’s boxing match, the women were made to have shorter rounds whilst having to wear breast guards with an optional use of groin guards.  A change to standard uniforms became apparent for women too. This saw a proposed change from the usual boxing shorts that men would wear to the adaptation of a skirt that women were expected to wear.

It has been previously noted that boxing commentators had complained that you couldn’t see a clear difference between male and female fighters when both in shorts and headgear. Fearing that women would lose their ‘feminine’ appearances, the idea of wearing skirts in the ring would prevent women from looking too ‘masculine’. This has remained an issue into today’s society with women being bullied for looking ‘man-like’. "By wearing skirts, in my opinion, it gives a good impression, a womanly impression," Poland coach Leszek Piotrowski stated in an interview with BBC (2009).

Jackson, 2023

Why do women have to remain ‘feminine’ in a combat sport? In contemporary society, women are still criticised for their lack of ‘feminine’ features when they are wearing clothing associated with men. Why should women have to wear skirts in the ring that may affect their performance with the flowing movement of the material?

Not only are women discriminated against for their appearance but also their weight. During London 2012 women were subjected to only 3 weight classes in comparison to the Men’s whopping 10 weight classes. This continued into the Rio 2016 Olympics where only 36 women competed as opposed to 250 men. This illustrates the lack of support and recognition for women in the world of boxing throughout modern adaptations of the sport.

Today we see more of an improvement on the equal divide between men and women’s boxing. Paris 2024 brought the closest divide we have seen in the history of boxing regarding weight categories and participation levels. Women’s boxing had a record number of 6 Weight classes to compete under in contrast to their 3 in 2012 when they were first granted entry into the Olympic games.

But why are we still seeing limitations for women within the sport? How do we change?

Umar Kremlev (IBA President) has recently announced that the International Boxing Association are to promote gender equality as one of the pillars of the organisation in the next coming years. So what does that mean for the general public and athletes?

Boxing committees and associations must modernise their practices and adjust the way their events are constructed so that male and female bouts are held to an equal standard, therefore, bridging the inequality gap. However, we can only initiate this by raising our voices in unity as a community, as enablers of change. Women should have the opportunity to fight 12, 3 minute rounds per fight instead of their 10, 2 minute rounds.

So how can you help promote this?

Promoting athlete’s who speak out against gender inequalities helps highlight issues faced in today’s society. Nicola Adams filmed a documentary which featured other female boxers who created space for women in the sport. Such as, Jane Couch who won a court case in 1998 to make women’s professional boxing legal in Britain. By sharing and promoting allies who stand with women, voices are being heard and listened to. Changes will be made. Educating ourselves on the matter will also aid changes that need to be made. By reading up on crucial information and expanding our general knowledge, we are able to provide additional voices for what we believe in. Encouraging others to read about experiences faced by female boxers will spread awareness for issues that media fail to portray. Spreading awareness is the fastest way to make a difference.

Media is a significant factor in how we can make these changes as a society. Hold individuals accountable for their damning actions, such as Tyson Fury in 2015 when he announced ‘women were only good in the kitchen and on their backs’. 44,000+ people signed a petition to have him removed from the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year shortlist. If we stand against individuals like Fury, we are actively changing the sporting scene, one step at a time. Promoting women’s rights takes seconds. Signing your name on a petition for change is instant. It all starts with an ally. To help combat sexism in sport, join the team and stand up for what’s right. Be the change!

Jackson vs Booker, 2023

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Will there ever be an end to sexism in sport?

In the 2020s, can you imagine a man in a position of authority committing sexual assault against a woman in public, denying any wrongdoing and the victim being pressurised into giving a false testimony… or a woman being forced to wear impractical, sexually revealing clothing to work…or a woman turning up to work to find that there are no facilities for women, only men?

And yet we see these type of incidences in sport. In 2023, the head of the Spanish Football Federation planted a non-consensual kiss on the lips of a female footballer and then denied any wrong doing. In the same year, professional female rugby players publicly stated that access to women’s toilets is ‘potluck’, adding obstacles to women participating in sport. And two years before that, in the 2021 Euros, the Norwegian International Handball Team were fined for refusing to play their sport in impractical, skimpy bikinis.

These examples have stood out because women have bravely chosen to speak up and take a stand; these women have had enough. Last year, a study demonstrated sexism is commonplace in sport settings’, and a report by the Women and Equalities Select Committee highlighted ‘issues of bullying, harassment, abuse, and discrimination’ across several sports in recent years. Furthermore, the Olympic Broadcasting Services Chief Executive released a statement warning about “an unconscious bias for men and TV” in sport coverage.

How is this tolerated and accepted in sport? What respect are we showing to female athletes at the top of their game? None.

In the UK, we have laws, policies and practices to protect women from abuse and exploitation; we are moving closer to gender equality. And yet, for women in sport, societal norms lag significantly behind.

So why is sport so far behind?

This is complex and multifactorial but there are some clear themes that can be addressed:

Women are fundamentally underrepresented. In 2024, Sport England highlighted that women only made up 40.8% of National Governing Body Boards, dropping from 43.2% in 2020. If women aren’t represented in the decision-making of women’s sport, how can we expect women’s needs to be discussed, let alone actioned. The voice of women needs to be just as loud as the voice of men.

Women do not have equal access to funding and facilities, despite their success and achievement. The gender pay gap in sport is no secret; the average gap is 59.1%. However, the funding inequalities are much more far-reaching with a lack of equality in the provision of sports facilities and equipment. How, in 2025 and even at the highest levels of sport, are women’s games being cancelled or postponed due to insufficient facilities or, worse still, to allow men to use the facilities instead?

Sports women are less visible in the media and as the CEO of the Olympic Broadcasting Services stated “(women) are still being filmed in a way that you can identify that stereotypes and sexism remains...”. Media coverage of women’s sport was at 15%, despite women making up 50% of 2024 Olympic athletes. Appropriate portrayal of sportswomen is further hindered by encouragement and, at times obligation, to wear tiny, revealing clothing that shows off a sexualised female body, whilst men wear baggy, comfortable clothing to allow for optimal movement.

The result? This stops the athletes from receiving the deserved attention and praise for their sporting ability and minimises them to simply what their body looks like whilst doing the sport. How can we expect girls to aspire to achieve and succeed in sport, when they are lucky to see their role models in the media at all? And how can we expect girls to aspire to be strong and dominant in sport when women – in stark contrast to men – are socially constructed to be submissive, gentle and weak?

Women do not tend to report sexism. There are many anecdotal accounts that sexism in sport is underreported. Research, published in 2024, demonstrated that ‘Participants often felt unable to raise the issue of sexist behaviour with someone in their organisation due to believing that there would be a negative impact on their reputation, negative consequences for their career, that it would not make a difference, or that it was not safe enough to do so, assumptions which are correct based on the organisational responses to sexism reported within this study’. If women, even those whom we look up to and expect to be the best, are not safe to speak out, how will things ever change?

So what needs to change and whom do we need to call on:

Following their report, the Women and Equality Select Committee has already called on the Government to act on their findings, including how concerns and grievances are dealt with. The Government has accepted the recommendations, but there must be a clear time frame for putting this in place and all people, whatever their level of sporting ability, must be able to access the processes.

We need meaningful action plans from National Governing Bodies to ensure equal representation of women in policy determination and other decision-making, at all levels. We need policies, plans and practices that support true equality of women in sport.

Government, sponsors and sport organisations must work to ensure fairer funding across all levels of sport participation. There needs to be equal access to facilities and equipment. Women should never be in a position where the lack of facilities makes them feel unsafe, nor should their games be cancelled to prioritise men’s sport.

We need changes in media coverage and the portrayal of sportswomen. We need to see an end to the sexualization of female athletes, with an appreciation for their sporting ability. It is helpful that the Olympic Broadcasting Services Chief Executive has called out sexism in the coverage of sporting events. However, misogyny in media reporting must continue to be challenged and addressed, and athletes must be protected from abuse and harassment through social media. All women and girls participating in sport must have the right and be encouraged to wear practical comfortable clothing with no inappropriate restrictions, such as the size of their outfits.

So, what can we do as individuals to create this change?

We each need to become aware of our unconscious biases. This can be done through awareness of language used, receiving feedback, and embracing diverse perspectives.

Women need to be prepared to volunteer for leadership roles and sit on regulatory boards to ensure the female perspective is heard. Men need to facilitate this. We need to start challenging all incidences of sexism in sport and, if not witnessed ourselves, we need to support and stand with those who do stand up.

In conclusion, in order for an end to sexism in sport, much work needs to be done and we all have a part to play. This is vital and urgent if we are to reverse the worryingly increasing gender participation gap identified by Sport England, and make sport more inclusive with benefits to girls, women and our society. The view that sport was created by men, for men, needs to shift.

Further reading links:

Azumara, L. (2020). Sexism in Sports. CLA Journal, 8, 76-93.

Bowes, A., & Culvin, A. (Eds.). (2021). The professionalisation of women's sport : Issues and debates. Emerald Publishing Limited.

Cooky, C. (2017). ‘We cannot stand idly by’: A necessary call for a public sociology of sport. Sociology of Sport Journal, 34(1), 1–11.

How to Start a Movement: Building a Social and Political Campaign

Hyde-Clarke, N., & Fonn, B. K. (2024). Challenging Norms and Practices in Women’s Beach Handball: The Bikini Debate. Media and Communication, 12.

Murray, P., Lord, R., & Lorimer, R. (2022). ‘It’s just a case of chipping away': A postfeminist analysis of female coaches’ gendered experiences in grassroots sport. Sport, Education and Society, 27(4), 475-488.

Schultz, J. 2024. Regulating Bodies. Elite Sport Policies and Their Unintended Consequences. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Steidinger, J. (2020). Stand up and shout out: Women’s fight for equal pay, equal rights, and equal opportunities in sports. Rowman & Littlefield.

Velija, P. (2022). A sociological analysis of the gender pay gap data in UK sport organisations. In Gender equity in UK sport leadership and governance (pp. 197-216). Emerald Publishing Limited.

Yordanova, N., Kozhuharova, P., Simeonova, T., Stoychev, C., Petkov, P., & Ivanova, V. (2017). Prevention of Discrimination and Violence in Grassroot Sport in School and Sports Clubs. Eur. J. Train. Dev. Stud, 4, 30-41.

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The Cost of Loyalty

What are some of the issues with Premier League ticket pricing, and how are they affecting fans of these football clubs?

For many, attending a football match represents much more than simply watching a game. It is a deeply ingrained ritual, a communal activity that encourages social bonds among friends, families, and local communities. However, the rising cost of ticket prices, especially in the Premier League, is preventing these traditions and highlighting social inequalities.

The Problems of Affordability

Since the Premier League formed in 1992, ticket prices have risen significantly, reflecting broader trends in the commercialization of sport. Today, tickets often exceed £50 and can even surpass £100 at some of the top teams in the league. This poses a substantial issue, particularly in the context of the current cost-of-living crisis, which disproportionately affects lower-income households. The Football Supporters Association has discovered an average of increase of 800% in ticket prices since 1990 which is much higher than the 141% rise in inflation since that time.  For many working-class fans, attending matches has become an unattainable luxury. A fan’s matchday experience often includes extra costs such as travel, food, and drink, which can collectively consume up to 13% of an individual’s annual income. This further highlight how football is increasingly being shaped by economic privilege.

Ironically, ticket prices continue to rise even as Premier League clubs enjoy unprecedented financial windfalls. The league’s billion-pound deals with broadcasters, such as BT and Sky, coupled with revenue from sponsorships and merchandise, far exceed the income generated from ticket sales. This reveals a growing disconnection between clubs’ financial strategies and their responsibility to their fan bases. Clubs’ pursuit of profit aligns with a broader trend of commodification, where the cultural and social significance of football is overshadowed by its economic potential and begins to be shaped by business decisions rather than being looked at like a sport.

Personal Experience

My personal experience emphasises the impact of price discrimination on fan accessibility. As a Nottingham Forest supporter, I benefited from the club’s student pricing category, which catered to individuals aged 18-25. These tickets, averaging £17 per game, allowed students like me to enjoy a matchday without a huge financial burden.

However, the elimination of this pricing category in subsequent seasons forced me into the adult pricing bracket, with tickets averaging £50 per game—a 190% increase. This dramatic rise shows how clubs’ pricing decisions can marginalize younger fans and create barriers to participation. A full matchday experience, including other expenses, now often totals around £100. Over a season, attending all home games would cost nearly £2000—an unsustainable amount. Despite my passion for the club, this financial burden means I’ve had to miss fixtures throughout the season, as attending every game is no longer affordable.

At the start of the season, the Nottingham Forest Supporters Club voiced their concerns regarding the club’s pricing policies. They emphasized their disappointment with several aspects of the new pricing structure and proposed a maximum acceptable increase of 5%, which they believed to be reasonable. However, the Supporters Club also described the current ticket prices as "eye-watering," making it increasingly difficult for families to attend matches. These sentiments highlight the struggles faced by traditional fan bases.

To address these issues, the Supporters Club has taken proactive steps, hosting interviews with board members to communicate their concerns and advocate for meaningful change. Their efforts underscore the importance of dialogue and collective action in ensuring that football remains accessible to all.

Impact on Fans and Atmosphere

The exclusionary pricing model has had profound sociological impacts, altering the demographics of match attendees and, consequently, the atmosphere at stadiums. Passionate, long-term supporters are increasingly priced out, replaced by corporate and tourist audiences who often lack the same emotional and cultural investment in the game. This shift undermines the traditional, matchday atmosphere - that often attract new fans- and replaces it with a more subdued crowd (Woods & Ludvigsen, 2021).

Furthermore, the rising costs affect families, preventing younger generations from experiencing live football and creating emotional connections with their local clubs. This generational gap risks preventing the historical bond between communities to their teams. Considering football is meant to be “a game for the fans” we are beginning to see some fans being marginalised. We have also seen a recent change at Tottenham as they have phased out the over 65’s 50% discount on the tickets starting from this season which has caused huge uproar amongst supporters.

What can be done:

Addressing the social inequities in ticket pricing requires systemic change. Looking at the German Bundesliga, we see a model that prioritizes accessibility and community. With average season ticket prices around £300 (£18 per game), the Bundesliga demonstrates how football can remain inclusive for all. What methods could be implemented into the Premier League

Price Caps: The existing £30 cap on Premier League away tickets could be extended to home tickets, ensuring affordability and preserving the inclusivity of matchday experiences.

Inclusive Pricing Models: Clubs should adopt pricing structures that account for diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Discounted tickets for students, seniors, and young fans can help sustain the intense identity of football fandom.

Fan Representation: Including fans in decision-making processes, particularly regarding ticket pricing, can mitigate the growing disconnect between clubs and their communities. This practice, done within the Bundesliga, reflects a more democratic and socially responsive approach to football governance.

What Needs to Be Done:

Many clubs justify high ticket prices by citing the high demand for seats, assuming if one fan cannot afford a ticket, another will. This market-driven mentality neglects the cultural and communal value of football. As Brian Clough once said, “Football belongs to everybody,” stating the importance of collective ownership and shared responsibility. Ensuring football remains accessible to all requires a shift in priorities, with clubs, governing bodies, and stakeholders recognizing their role in preserving the game’s social and cultural heritage. We are beginning to see change as the Football Supporters Association are encouraging protests outside games such as Liverpool vs Man United and are encouraging fans to help make a change. This is a collective issue that can hopefully lead to something like the away cap already implemented. We must take our game back.

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The Silence Cycle: How Sexual Abusers Keep Winning in Sport

Sport creates icons and role models through performance. Athletes inspire us with dedication, skill and passion, yet beneath the glory lies a disturbing reality, which rarely makes the headlines, sexual abusers in sport.

Too often, allegations emerge, only to be muffled by those more invested in reputation than justice. The silence is not accidental; it is reinforced by the structures, norms and cultures of sport itself, where performance can outweigh morality.  Locker rooms become vaults of secrets, stadiums cast shadows over accountability, and the roar of the crowd drowns out whispers of those afraid to speak. Are we unknowingly enabling this silence to continue?

Sexual abuse in sport represents a systemic crisis reflecting wider societal failures. Between July 2023 and June 2024, 69,184 rapes were recorded by police in England and Wales, although charges brought in only 2.7% of these*. In sport, the prevalence of such cases is equally alarming. In male-dominated sports, the locker room foster a toxic culture. Traits such as aggression and loyalty are rewarded on the field yet can spill over into off-field behaviour. This creates an environment where silence is valued over accountability, and speaking out is frowned upon. This “boys club” mentality protects abusers and normalises this behaviour. This is seen with Mason Greenwood’s case, where teammates of his secretly offered support to him*.

Greenwood was once seen as Manchester United’s future: however, he faced rape allegations in 2022 after disgraced footage leaked. Despite the severity of the allegations, charges were dropped in 2023* due to “the withdrawal of key witnesses.” Subsequently, Manchester United attempted to reintegrate Greenwood into their squad, framing his return as a ‘second chance’*.  This sparked outrage. Many criticised MUFC for prioritising Greenwood’s talent and market value over morality*. The backlash led to MUFC reconsidering the decision, ultimately leading to Greenwood’s loan to Getafe*, where fans, unbelievably, welcomed him with open arms, celebrating his arrival. But the damage was done for MUFC. The club faced reputational harm, with widespread criticism for compromising its values and rich history, leading to a tarnished global image. The Greenwood case epitomises a broader issue within sport, where institutions and fans may prioritise winning over accountability.

Video of Getafe fans welcoming Greenwood with a player unveiling.

Greenwood fans on Twitter excited for a redemption story.

What Comes Next:

The system protects abusers, reflecting clear institutional failures. Sport is built on trust between clubs, fans and institutions. Yet this trust is shattered by organisations prioritising results and revenue over justice. Sports bodies have been slow to change because they focus more on protecting their image and avoiding disruption. Leaders often stick to old ways, fearing that change could harm their reputation or profits. To dismantle the trend of sexual assault and rape in sport, systematic changes are crucial.

This issue is not just in professional sport. A recent study reported over half of male university sports team members admitted to sexual assault or rape, illustrating how deeply ingrained the culture of toxic masculinity is in sport, even at grassroot levels*. If these behaviours are common at university level, they may serve as a foundation that normalises these patterns as athlete’s ascend into professional sport. However, the cultures in grassroots and professional sport differ – grassroots reflect local attitudes, while professional is shaped by public scrutiny and commercial pressures. Still, they share commonalities, such as a tendency to prioritise performance over accountability.

Independent safeguarding bodies, free from bias and committed to serving justice, are needed, as too often, investigations fail, with perpetrators exploiting legal loopholes. These bodies would operate away from sports organisations to ensure fairness. They would have power to investigate misconduct, support victims and enforce sanctions. The U.S. Centre for SafeSport* shows how this can work.

In July 2022, an unnamed Premier League footballer was arrested and remains on bail while being questioned two and a half years later*. One of the four cases against him was dropped due to insufficient evidence or jurisdictional issues. This player continues to play for his club, but if an independent safeguarding body had intervened, the outcome might have been different.

Institutions often hide behind ‘innocent until proven guilty’ to justify inaction. While legal systems uphold this standard, it becomes an excuse when organisations avoid investigating allegations themselves. This was evident in the Benjamin Mendy case, when the former Manchester City player was accused of multiple counts of sexual assault, yet the club allowed Mendy to remain associated with them during the legal process. The club deferred entirely to the judicial process.

This reluctance sends a clear message to survivors; their voices are secondary to the club’s reputation. It makes you wonder, how many more Premier League SA cases are hidden in plain sight?

Transparency is equally crucial. The public deserve clarity about investigations. Given the sensitivity of investigations, it is understandable why they should be kept private, however, issuing vague statements, such as only fuels mistrust. For example, the statement MUFC issued on Greenwood’s internal investigation* left many angered and confused. Transparent actions reassure survivors that their voices matter.

Is it only the athletes who should be held to account? Fans also play a role and should take responsibility. Some fans celebrate goals scored by those with allegations against them, which validates decisions to overlook harm, and adds to survivors’ pain. Fans must demand better, whether that be through boycotts, petitions, or protests to push for accountability.

Without these measures, the silence cycle will persist, and sport’s essence - its fairness, integrity, and spirit, will be irreparably damaged. Recent cases discussed show that this isn’t just a historical problem, it is happening now. Sport should inspire, unite, and empower. But if we continue to ignore its failings, it will remain a space where abuse flourishes, and justice is a distant goal.

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Unmasking abuse in sport: ensuring safety and accountability of athletes

Sport is a way to unite people and inspire future generations, but can it also be a breeding ground for exploitation and harm?

Beneath the surface of the glory of sport lies a disturbing reality. This is illustrated by recent scandals, including the case of two boys being groomed by their football coach in 2022 and the Executive Director of the British Swimming Coaches Association Mr McGuiness who was investigated for body shaming his athletes, causing years of mental anguish.

These are two illustrative examples - amongst others - which have unearthed an unsettling truth about abuse in the world of sport. This issue is intertwined across athletes at all levels, from grassroots to elite competition.

Reports of abuse in sport often show the misuse of power by coaches, officials, and others in positions of authority. Timon et al. (2022) study of 473 elite athletes who were surveyed, 3.8% reported being sexually assaulted as a minor, with 61% reported being abused by an adult authority figure (usually a coach).

How can coaches who are passionate about their sport and helping their athletes to achieve go onto abuse their sporting proteges? In short, there are systemic failures in protecting athletes from grassroots to elite competitors.

The system fails because of the power imbalances that exist, along with a culture of silence and ineffective safeguarding measures which create situations where abuse can go unnoticed and unchecked. For some affected athletes, the consequences of their abuse can lead to everlasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars.

The awareness of this issue is steadily growing, as more people are feeling empowered to discuss their ordeals. More work is needed however, to overhaul the system that is failing to stop abuse occurring. There needs to be greater focus on the protection of athletes, which requires a commitment to cultural change, more robust and effective safeguarding measures, and greater accountability from sporting institutions worldwide. 

A scandal that sent shockwaves across the world of sport

As the Paris 2024 Olympics ended and many youngsters across the world are inspired to take up gymnastics, can parents trust that coaches are behaving appropriately around their children?

A case that shocked the sports world was the Larry Nassar scandal, which brought into sharp focus how the system had failed to protect athletes. Nassar was a former USA gymnastics and Michigan state university physician. He was found guilty of sexually abusing hundreds of young gymnasts under the false promise of medical treatment. For many years, Nassar would use his position of authority to exploit athletes, many of whom were minors.

The case was revealed when athletes like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman and many more bravely came forward to shed light on their experiences. Concerns regarding Nassar's conduct with athletes had led to complaints which were either dismissed or ignored, which enabled him to continue to abuse his athletes. The failure to act on these complaints showcased the impact of prioritising institutional reputation over athlete safety.

Larry Nassar was sentenced for up to 175 years in prison for the horrendous acts he committed. His survivors have become powerful advocates for change, calling at long last for tighter safeguarding measures and better accountability. The case of Larry Nassar serves as a turning point and a reminder of the importance of listening to survivors and taking decisive action to protect athletes from abuse.

What comes next for institutions?

Any institution should focus on making sure they have strict safeguarding measures. These should include: robust background checks for coaches, clear codes of conduct, in addition to an independent body to investigate any potential allegations of abuse.

Everybody within an organisation is responsible for safeguarding regardless of their status. There are numerous courses designed to promote safety for all participants. For example, the NSPCC offer courses for organisations to check that their safeguarding is effective, as well as offering CPD for coaches at all levels.

One shining example is the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) which leads the way in safeguarding their participants. They have consistently been awarded the highest possible rating for safeguarding by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit. Creating a culture of transparency around the athlete/coach relationship in all levels of sport is essential to avoid abuse in sport and promote safety and accountability for athletes. 

Sporting institutions must take full responsibility for the role they play in enabling or failing to prevent abuse. As such, they should strive to be transparent as they investigate any allegations – which can be challenging in a successful established organisation such as US gymnastics - as well as committed to public reporting of outcomes and any consequences for individuals found to be involved.

Moving forward, seeking to eradicate abuse in sport is not simple and even with effective policies in place abuse is still possible. But by breaking the culture of silence around abuse survivors, stricter safeguarding measure and holding institutions accountable, we can endeavour to build a future to create a safer and more supportive environment for athletes at all ages and levels.

Continuous focus on the development of coaches and the way they work with athletes is essential.  It is easy to be blinded by coaching success and not look closely at the techniques used. Reflecting on the physical, emotional and mental health of athletes should be at the centre of the coach’s practice.

Concluding on this issue, inspiring and uniting generations of people is what sport is about, but how do we ensure it also has the power to protect those who dedicate years of their life to it?  The responsibility lies with us. No matter what role you play in sport we need to create a culture where abuse has no place and every individual can thrive.

Further Readings

If you would like to learn more about abuse in sport, then consider reading these articles that will offer more insight:

Stirling, A. E., & Kerr, G. A. (2008). Defining and categorizing emotional abuse in sport. European journal of sport science, 8(4), 173-181.

Brackenridge, C., & Fasting, K. (2002). Sexual harassment and abuse in sport: The research context. Journal of sexual aggression, 8(2), 3-15.

Parent, S., & Demers, G. (2011). Sexual abuse in sport: A model to prevent and protect athletes. Child Abuse Review, 20(2), 120-133.

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Time to Step Up: How Social Media Can Rewrite the Narrative for Female Athletes

Keely Hodgkinson was recently crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2024 and shone as the star of Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She has over 500,000 followers on Instagram and recently accumulated 70,000 likes on a single post. Does this set the new standard for sportswomen to take the reins and drive the change in media coverage they want to see via social media?

With over 49% of 18-24-year-old women in the UK now engaging and participating in sports, female athletes haven’t had a better time entering and staying in the spotlight. Gen Z has the tools, voice and digital reach to reshape the coverage of women’s sports. Social media should be at the heart of rewriting this narrative.

The gender engagement gap in sports is narrowing among younger generations, signalling progress towards greater gender inclusivity. However, there is still the glaring issue of a chronic underrepresentation of women in traditional media (Kane, 2013). Shockingly, it has been found that “only about 4% of all sports coverage is dedicated to women’s events” (Coakley, 2021, p. 217).  With users on platforms like Instagram spending an average of two hours per day on the app, could these platforms serve as a powerful alternative for representing women in sports — forcing traditional media to finally address the issues that sportswomen currently face?

The Opportunity at Present

In writing this blog, I aim to raise awareness among female athletes about the opportunities social media can create by building on research by Li et al. (2021). I believe that sportswomen can make an impact by voicing their issues by creating a platform for greater gender equality in sports.

Looking forward to 2025, there hasn’t been a better time to use social media to communicate issues they face.

Social media is here to stay. Coming from a marketing background, I know how important every post and story is in offering athletes the opportunity to build a personal brand, attract sponsorships and be vocal about issues they’re facing in sports. Being proactive with social media involves liking, sharing, and interacting with female athletes' content. In doing so, sportswomen can enhance their visibility, which provides an avenue to improve this on their terms (Toffoletti & Thorpe, 2018).

Leveraging these platforms provides the opportunity to elevate achievements. If traditional media won’t tell the story, you can!

With traditional media refusing to play ball, female athletes have already begun to pursue this social media avenue to increase their visibility and profile. Athletes like Alisha Lehmann and Ronda Rousey are two examples of mastering the art of self-promotion. They have used Instagram to their advantage showcased by having over 15 million Instagram followers each.

Highlighting examples of female athletes taking control of their coverage and promoting themselves within their sports underscores the growing opportunities for sportswomen to build a digital presence.  Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become key arenas for athletes to connect with audiences by leveraging short-term content to engage fans and showcase their talents.

 With over 30% of Instagram’s 800 million users identifying themselves as sports fans, these platforms will continue to provide a strong basis for opportunities for female athletes in today’s sporting landscape. The opportunity is there for the taking!

Driving Change and Creating Awareness

Social media allows sportswomen to build a digital presence. With digital presence comes awareness. Awareness gives women the power to make society aware of the issues they face firsthand. This tool for change allows athletes to promote the problems in women’s sports, leading to traditional media taking note.

Through their advocacy on social media, sportswomen have already opened my eyes to the profound challenges they face—haven’t their stories and actions struck a chord with you too?

The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) is a prime example of how athletes are using social media to tackle systemic issues head-on. Teammates Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe leveraged their following to fight for equal pay, bringing awareness to the global stage of the FIFA World Cup. Through implementing hashtags like #EqualPay and impactful posts, the USWNT drew attention to pay disparities they face in football. Through the player’s advocacy, they put women’s football at centre stage, proving the power of the likes of a hashtag to make an impact on a global level in the media, leading them to “challenge the system” (Culvin et al. 2020 p.926).

Additionally, Simon Biles used her platform on Instagram to openly have a powerful conversation about her mental health struggles during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Speaking honestly and directly from her perspective, she outlined the challenges she was facing with her 12.6 million followers during the games.

I believe that social media allowed her to get across her viewpoint and show her vulnerability. The discussion she created surrounding the mental health of athletes was able to raise awareness regarding the importance of it in sports. Through her posts, she raised awareness and emphasised how we should view high-level athletes and their well-being during high-pressure situations— making the topic of mental health and well-being of athletes more prominent in society.

Identity and Facing Challenges

Athletes producing content through the likes of Instagram posts, TikTok or the latest tweets have given a glimpse into their sporting and personal lives. This can lead to athletes feeling empowered by being able to express themselves by getting across their identity (Toffoletti & Thorpe, 2018).

Social media can be the ultimate catalyst for creating and maximising opportunities. It offers the chance to build a strong personal brand and open doors for sponsorship opportunities. It allows you to forge deeper connections with fans, athletes and sponsors alike (Thorpe, Toffoletti, & Bruce, 2017; Geurin, 2017). Female athletes who consistently and creatively communicate their personalities in sports can create emotional attachments that resonate with fans and sponsorships (Li, Scott, Naraine, & Ruihley, 2021), which is ever more lucrative with the increasing value of women’s sports.

Social media has also become a game changer for athletes in the broader context of feminism. As discussed, platforms have helped sportswomen build strong personal brands, highlight achievements, and engage followers (Geurin, 2017). This is a powerful shift—one that stands contrary to the last 30 years, where research from the likes of Cooky et al. (2021) found that women’s sports coverage on traditional formats remained consistently low. This ties in with post-feminist ideas, as women can embrace their identity on their terms by showcasing athletic prowess and celebrating themselves in a way, they are comfortable with  (Thorpe, Toffoletti, & Bruce, 2017).

Awareness isn’t the endgame. It’s just the beginning. Challenges for women in sports and on social media have been found by Guerin (2017) to include the likes of sexism, abuse and objectification. Can Instagram content and TikToks combat systemic issues? Not on their own. Social media must be used strategically, not just to raise awareness but to demand action in wider society and by garnering the attention of traditional media formats.

Taking Action

The use of social media campaigns by athletes must translate into pressure on governing bodies, brands, and sponsors to prioritise gender equality and seriously deal with the issues faced by sportswomen today. By turning visibility into victory in the form of traditional media paying attention to sportswomen.

NGBs must also act in the form of emails or more in-depth social media training sessions (Geurin, 2023). Additionally, sports clubs must take the initiative by supporting their athletes by leveraging their players’ social media presence, helping to make the public and traditional media aware of the issues their athletes are facing at present.

If traditional media starts paying attention, women's challenges may finally be addressed. Don’t wait for change—be the change. Proactively share your stories, highlight the issues, and demand the recognition you deserve. The future of women’s sports is in your hands, and it’s time to step up.

What to do now?

Using social media, sportswomen have the notion to challenge sports as a male-dominated domain. This should allow you to craft and control your narratives.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, 67% of Team GB’s total TikTok views content came from female athletes. Overall, 66% of British Athletes active on TikTok during Paris 2024 were Female. This shows how sportswomen are already starting to take precedence on these platforms.

Social media management requires careful planning and execution! Authenticity, consistency and engagement are all key to having successful social media channels.

Social media platforms such as Instagram have useful resources for getting started. For example, this webpage can give tips and advice to help you begin building a successful profile!

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Are Stricter Punishments on Racism The Answer?

A league which once belonged to Lionel Messi, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho

When will FIFA, UEFA, and La Liga get a grip and impose stricter punishments!?

The extraordinary racism story of Vini Jr ‘a sport for all’ they say, came to a controversial twist with the whole footballing world coming together in support of the Real Madrid star.

A £50,000 fine, ‘temporary’ bans from sports venues and even a chance of an appeal from Valencia FC to such appalling activities. Really?! The second most watched league in the world with phenomenon stars, who have won multiple Ballon d’Or’s between them in the past and clubs are having the ‘minimal’ action against them?

A new law revised anti-discrimination law coming from the Spanish Government which ironically looks at protection of equal rights and treatment within employment, racism is still infested in the top 5 European leagues from the Koulibaly incident to the Mathys Tel incident, but it needs revising. Substantial change. Not just a reprimand.  Substantial Change…

Personal Vendetta

As I am writing this blog, I came to think about how this will make a richer impact than other commentators. I am a huge footballing fan and understand the passion of winning and losing.

Race is socio-political construct which categorises humans into different groups according to their skin colour and background. Racism, meanwhile, is a systemic construct of people’s beliefs to target members of diverse groups such as people who identify as 'BAME' on the basis of their cultural norms and values and the colour of their skin.

Racism can be manifest in different forms, including ideological (views and beliefs), institutional (policies and laws) and structural.

To expand, ideological racism has been described by Haslanger, (2017) as ‘biases or discriminatory thoughts’ towards a human. This form of racism may include unintended interactions (microaggressions) to other groups/individuals. For example, a BAME footballer constantly being asked “Where are you actually from?”

Institutional racism is referred to discrimination, bias and unequal treatment against racial or ethnic groups which is embedded in policies and institutions such as policies and law enforcement. Expressed by Verlot, pg.32, (2002) as being ‘institutional failure’s’ which prohibits discriminatory behaviour against groups and individuals.

Structural racism is a concept that paints how structures such as political, social and cultural systems are disadvantaged. This is combined with history, beliefs, and interconnections. One often cited example is the media coverage on specific players such as a headline to a black footballer with the title; “Campaigning football star Marcus Rashford has bought five luxury homes worth more than £2million” whereas a white footballer is presented as; “Phil Foden has set up a future in Manchester by buying his family a new home”.

I understand the love and passion fans have for their club and country but sometimes this is taken too far with crimes and violence during and occurring after games. For example, Victor Osimhen threating Napoli with legal action over a TikTok video as he was described as a ‘coconut’. Roberto Calenda who is Osimhen’s agent branded the post “unacceptable”. Research by Kilvington and Price, (2019) who looked at social media abuses and the response to online racism, found that players “don’t have the time” to report incidents as they “do not want the spotlight on them” as they want to get on with the game and put ‘that’ to one side. This suggests that the online abuses may not be pursued by players themselves as they do not have the time and effort especially if players are not educated on reporting procedures. This is an apposite perfect example of why stricter punishments should be imposed by football's hierarchy (UEFA & FIFA) on individuals as well as organisations such as clubs and leagues to combat racism off and on the pitch.

Vini Jr was subject to abuse by the Valencia fans in which the LaLiga President came out and ‘apologised’ to Vinicius about his comments to LaLiga needing to do more and the President referring to the abuse as manipulative. According to Bassam, (2020), La Liga is the second most watched league in the world bringing in 4.5m domestic views worldwide giving a solid position in the most viewed league. Several figures from the footballing world have come out such as Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Southgate and Mbappe raising their voices to tackle these disgusting acts.

Fandom and Morality

The notion of Sports washing is relevant when interrogating this incident. Governing bodies such as FIFA and UEFA desire this ‘halo effect’ by combatting incidents of racism in the past with little to no implications on the player or club as they know that football is the most watched sport in the world with over ‘4 billion fans worldwide’, (Sportytell, 2023). Only getting a partial stadium closure as well as a reduced fine, Valencia FC still went for an appeal which morally some people would look with disgust. Fruh et al, (2023) looks at sportswashing as turning the ‘surface white’. The terminology describes that organisations only scratch the surface to make themselves look ‘golden’ while the construct persists in modern day. Valencia FC were fined and their main stand was shut for five games, which I would argue demonstrates that organisations like La Liga are doing the ‘bare minimum’ with ineffective punishments. Incidents from the past such as the Euro 2020, objects thrown at players, strongly implicate that deep rooted problems still exist.

On the other side of the spectrum, FIFA and UEFA support campaigns designed to combat racism such as Say No To Racism. UEFA’s report on their campaign quote that “2,876 matches monitored for racism with 17 incidents followed by sanctions” shows that racism is being looked at and strong actions during the last few seasons have been taken. The FIFA chief Gianni Infantino states “zero tolerance approach must be taken when racism happens in matches at all levels’ after hearing about Vinicius Junior”. UEFA have also held workshops to tackle racism in their road to the 2030 change. The statistic and the report show improvements to the socio-construct (racism) which highlights strong belief to individuals and fans that the fight is on to combat the issue.

Fandom is described by the sports philosopher Kadlac, (2022), as sports fans who love their teams and bring in a sense of togetherness – brings a “pitfall of objectifying”. Sports fans will stop counting their support for athletes’ weak performances” and change their opinion on the athletes. In the case of Vinicius Junior, the fans who were throwing racist insults about, suggests the notion of having too much love and passion for their club which they experience ‘blind faith’ to wrong doings and think it is okay. I do agree with this assertion as I feel that sometimes fans do get carried away, even from my own experiences I have seen the passion of wanting to win but also wanting a fair respectable game. I would rather lose a fair game and fans were annoyed with the result than winning and seeing fans being racist to opposition players to show mockery or abusiveness.

Evaluating the initiatives out there: Unarguably initiatives such as Kick It Out, No Room for Racism and Show Racism The Red Card are worthwhile campaigns which are being strongly pushed by FIFA and UEFA to combat racism.

The statistics below show improvements by these initiatives:

A 38% drop in social media reports, between the 2019/20 and 2021/22 season from Kick It Out.

‘Premier league clubs enhanced different programmes to promote inclusion and diversity across football as a whole’.

UEFA monitored 2,681 accounts and identified 3,057 abusive posts with the removal rate of 48%.

UEFA increased financial investments by 24% to 12.5 million euros to support off field in social domains.

Educational programming on online abuse and hate speech in development with 39.1 million views worldwide now.

Nonetheless, the never-ending conversation of racism needs to be dealt with more affirmative implications.

My viewpoint on stronger sanctions:

Organisations such as UEFA, FIFA and La Liga to push social media platforms and IT technologies to find culprits who endorse hate crimes via internet on fake accounts with the imprisonment sentence as well as ‘name and shame’. – this is slowly making an improvement as social media has become more reluctant to fake accounts by ‘verifying’ email addresses and phone numbers to access the accounts which can be traced. For example, X (Twitter) uses bots and blue check to verify people.

FIFA & UEFA to ban fans for life who are racist during matches as well as fine clubs millions of euros. If the fans supporting that club are found guilty, then ban fans from entering the stadium as a whole - hoping to bring a bigger picture of potential revenue lost by the club with no fans as well as losing out on merchandise on matchdays.

FIFA & UEFA to implicate rulings such as new laws to leagues to fine heavily on cooperate companies who sponsor the clubs and make them reconsider their position for sponsoring a certain club. – this will be done by getting involvement from the league, other clubs in that league, and the government in charge of that country themselves to seek action against the sponsors.

Fans & Non footballing fans to boycott cooperate companies and clubs who are in contractual agreements with footballing clubs.

Fans to promote/reshare posts via social media to call out racists and act – A massive improvement as recently, a Gillingham fan on Instagram was banned and shamed for being racist towards a Newport striker. A Manchester City fan being racist towards three Manchester United players. With the likes of promoting/resharing, stadiums and clubs can see more potential incidents from reoccurring and aid fans to unite as one to combat racism.

What is your take on these stronger sanctions?

Do you think stronger sanctions will make a more striking change?

Yes

No

Voting ended onJan 12, 2024

Please feel free to comment and give your idea’s/views about combatting racism.

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Sexism In Football: Female Pundits Are Here to Stay

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM

Football punditry, much like the sport in general, has for so long been dominated by men. Regular viewers of Sky Sports, TNT Sports and other sports broadcasters will be used to familiar faces of former professional footballers sitting around before, during and after a game to discuss the day’s event. The likes of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have been mainstays on television screens for over a decade and in that time they’ve provided analyses and entertainment for the masses.

Meanwhile, a positive movement during the last few years in football broadcasting is an increased number of female voices being heard. The first big changes came during the 2018 World Cup where Alex Scott and Eniola Aluko shared media duties alongside the usual male outfits. Since then, the two have become regulars both in the men’s and women's game and they’ve paved the way for others like them.

This increase in female pundits arguably is a determining factor in the growing levels of participation in the women’s game and in bridging the gap of equality in football through fair and equal representation. Sadly though, the growing awareness and representation of women in the male-dominated sport comes with its baggage. Many men have taken to Twitter (yes, I am refusing to call it ‘X’) to voice their disagreement over women being involved. Ex-professional footballer Joey Barton, who as of writing this, has garnered 2.8 million followers on the social media platform has been the loudest of the bunch, tweeting ‘Get them off the men’s football. Off the tele. Only there to tick boxes’ and ‘how is she even talking about men’s football. She can’t even kick a ball properly.’ These far-right, sexist, transphobic and racist ramblings from Barton have attracted considerable attention in the media with ITV Football deciding to stand up and respond in support of their female personnel stating that ‘football is for everyone’.

WHY HE’S WRONG

There are plenty of people online who align themselves with Barton’s train of thought. For a league as prestigious as the English Premier League shouldn’t the standard of broadcasting be as good as possible? Football analysis needs to be conducted by knowledgeable and experienced people. At times I personally have doubts whether the major broadcasters have the best in class to achieve high-quality discussion but to level that critique to an entire gender is both wrong and extremely dangerous. Barton suggests that women are not qualified enough to talk about the men’s game regardless of their playing experience. Are the two games so vastly different that the same principles and philosophies don’t apply? If so, then why isn’t Barton voicing his concerns over the male pundits who partake in the women’s game? Ironically, Barton continues to critique how supposedly ‘bad’ these women footballers are, yet by his standards, he doesn’t have the right to do that because surely only a woman can comment on women’s football. His tweets would have you believe that the men are exempt from criticism because they’ve earned the right to be there in the first place. Even if we ignore the fact that there are plenty of low-quality male pundits, does this also mean that journalists and fans can’t have an opinion on football because they haven’t played at a professional level?  A pundit being good or bad at their job is in no way related to their gender and if anything, Barton’s views are less about wanting the best quality of media commentary for the sport and are more about him spouting outdated sexist ideologies.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE Women having equal opportunities and a platform to speak about football is good, actually. The views of Barton and others like him are, if anything, representative of a greater societal problem women face - institutionalised sexism. Like many aspects of society, football is designed by and for men. We see this in the gender pay gap, the inequality of opportunities and the hierarchical structures in place. In an article by Bowes et al (2023), they describe women’s involvement in football punditry as a double-edged sword as there is an increasing acceptance and support for women even whilst they’re working in a culture that is inherently and institutionally sexist, gendered and hierarchical.

People like Scott and Aluko are not only fantastic pundits who offer the same if not more knowledge than most of the male pundits, but they are also vital in providing role models for young girls around the world wanting to play football and their fresh insights and experiences that they bring to the discussions are a big positive in building awareness to the women’s game for both male and female viewers which will help shape a more diverse and equal sport.  As supported in an article by Kane from 1988 who described mass media as one of the most powerful institutions in shaping modern cultural values.

Eliminating more overt forms of sexism found on social media will take time but we can start by viewing these pundits not by their respective genders but as the professionals that they are. Fink (2018) found that the focus on women in sports media is rarely on their ability but instead on their physical appearance, femininity and/or heterosexuality. This is an example of the casual sexism that women in sports face every single day, and it’s inherent to patriarchal society and the football industry. We saw this at the 2018 World Cup when ex-player Patrice Evra patronised Aluko by slowly clapping and acting surprised after she made some well-considered analysis on the game between Serbia and Costa Rica. Whilst Joey Barton isn’t to blame for this particular incident it’s just another example of how his sexist views are ingrained within culture and manifest themselves in seemingly innocent ways. These kinds of comments and actions are anything but innocent though. Norman (2010) suggests that sport continues to support the ideology of male hegemony through the continuous marginalising and trivialising of women in sports, and whilst they don’t have as big of a direct impact on societal norms and standards, like Barton’s Twitter account, I’d hate to think about how many young boys watched Evra (a Manchester United legend and a widely beloved personality) and saw his behaviour in any way appropriate.

The road to total equality and diversity in sport is a long one, but it’s not impossible to reach the destination. We need more female representation in football, not less. People like Joey Barton won’t go away anytime soon but the least we can do is ignore the nonsense he spouts and support the women who ultimately got the job instead of him.

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The Hidden Battle: Confronting Gender Inequality in Sports

Sports are societally significant because they have the potential to unite people of different backgrounds. It is also widely accepted that sports can promote physical and mental well-being (Evans et al., 2020). For example, running and swimming have been associated with stress reduction and improved mental health (Malm et al., 2019).

And yet, sports and physical activities - often pursued for the pleasure and satisfaction they bring - also serve as a platform where gender inequalities can become apparent. As a consequence, the potential benefits may not derived by all cohorts across society. Furthermore, in professional sports, while it can significantly enhance an athlete's socioeconomic status, the rewards and recognition are also often reflective of stark gender disparities that exist. As we explore the world of sports, it's critical to examine these differences and in doing so, strive towards greater equality of opportunity and benefits for all athletes, regardless of gender.

Illustration by Robert Littal

More women than ever are playing sports and working in sports organisations, but gender inequalities continue to exist in participation opportunities, and support for athletes. It is widely recognised that gender discrimination exists in sports based on payment, power, media representation and funding. In most sports, it is fair to state that women tend to be paid less than men. As an illustrative example, the highest contract that can be offered to women competing in the WNBA is approximately $221,450 which is 0.44% in comparison to their male NBA counterparts. In stark contrast, NBA teams can offer their players around $50 million. Furthermore, there are evident differences in power that exist, with men typically holding more senior positions than their female counterparts. For instance, most team managers and coaches tend to be men, highlighting the inequalities that exist.

Research on sports media coverage tends to highlight the evident differences in the amount of coverage given to male sport in comparison to sports played by women. It could be argued that gender discrimination in sports representation affects women negatively because it lowers their self-esteem. For example, a study conducted by Cooky et al. (2020) suggests that the number of men in sport is 7% higher than that of the women.

The most prominent strand of feminism in sports is liberal feminism which advocates for equal opportunities for women in sports, promoting equal access to resources, training, and funding, and dismantling barriers based on merit and skill. This perspective forwards that women have capabilities similar to men to participate in sports. And yet as late as the 1940s, it was assumed that childbirth effectively meant the end of a female athlete career. For example, Fanny Blankers-Koen was written off for being 30 years old by British Athletics team manager Jack Crump, deriding her “too old to make the grade”.

Over the years there has been a push for greater gender equality. As recently as the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, there was a requirement of at least one man and one woman per team. This extends to the Opening Ceremony where each participating country is represented by two flag bearers – one from each gender. Later this year, Paris 2024 will mark a landmark moment in Olympic history as it will be the first event to accomplish numerical gender equality, with an equal number of male and female athletes competing.

Illustration by Sebastien Thibault

The purpose of this blog post has been to emphasise the stark inequalities which exist between men and women in the sporting world. By highlighting key statistics and showing what positive changes there have been, I have attempted to shine a line on this important issue.

Now that we've explored the challenges and potential solutions surrounding gender inequality in sports, it's time to ask ourselves: what role can each of us play in driving change? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below and let's continue the conversation towards a future where everyone has equal opportunities to excel and thrive in sports.

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Breaking Boundaries or Breaking Point? Joey Barton's Diatribe on Women Football Commentators

In the evolving world of football broadcasting, the game's flow is complemented and enriched by the voices describing its details. Recent comments regarding female broadcasters within men’s football made by former footballer Joey Barton has created uproar. As football fans we are not merely spectators, we are active participants, engaging in a larger conversation that helps to shape our experiences of the beautiful game. Interestingly, Barton’s recent remarks extend further than a single conversation: his comments added fuel to existing, wider conversations about diversity. Are we witnessing a necessary evolution in football commentary, or has the push for diversity reached considerable challenges?

What is happening?

Barton’s recent remarks, that began on the social media ‘X’ have sparked numerous reactions across the football community and beyond. Essentially, he is rejecting the idea of women having commentary roles in men’s football, branding this to be part of a broader ‘woke agenda’. His statements are not merely personal observations, deliberately stirring discussion about wider societal change and gender dynamics in the world of football broadcasting.

Joey Barton argues that he’s not against women because of their gender; he doesn’t like the principle of women being awarded roles that are important in men’s football as a way of showing people that they are inclusive. He believes that in football commentary people should be selected based solely on their skillset even if that means that there will be no women.

History of Women in Football Commentary

Sports commentary has had a long history of unequal treatment based on gender. Women have had a tough time getting into commentary for many years, and when they do their contributions are often not appreciated or taken seriously. Old-fashioned, stereotypical ideas and conventions about what men and women should do have shaped people’s perceptions of women football commentators. Barton’s comments fit into a similar narrative from history, where women are kept on the sidelines, trying hard to overcome long-standing prejudices. As described by Ali Bowes et al 2023 the increased inclusion of women as pundits in televised match coverage has been a gradual process.  In 2007 Jacqui Oatley became the first female football commentator on the television programme Match of the Day since its origins in 1964. The next female was former England International Eniola Aluko, breaking ground in 2014 as the first women in this presenting role. Aluko notably contributed to the television coverage of the 2018 World Cup, pushing her into the media spotlight.

Women reporters have often found it challenging to get players and coaches and even the audience to see them as reporters first and women second. A study made by Swanson 2009 was conducted where he interviewed female journalists. He found that they “spoke of a love or passion for sports” with the majority playing one or more sports in the past. This discredits the suggestion that women commentators are less knowledgeable, qualified, and professional than their male counterparts.

Has there been improvement?

Over a five-year span there has been an increasing number of female pundits. Looking at the research from David Lenton 2022 he identified that the presence of women covering men’s games, either as commentators or pundits has seen remarkable growth. It grew 5650% from 2016/17 to 2020/21 (from 12 appearances to 690). Two seasons ago (2020/21) saw 2500 male commentators and pundits appearing in all televised men’s games - a difference of 1810. While the female representation has grown dramatically, there is still a huge gap to fill.

Push for diversity

The push for diversity is a vital aspect of progress in the sports industry. It helps to break down historical barriers and provide opportunities for individuals regardless of gender. The drivers behind the push include the recognition that talent and expertise are not limited by gender but can be found in individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Alex Scott is a brilliant example of this. After retiring from football in 2017 she broke major barriers by becoming the first female football pundit at the World Cup for the BBC and joined Sky Sports Super Sunday as the first female pundit. Findings from 2017 found that 88.5% of sport reporters were male which makes Alex Scott’s achievement even more impressive.

Like any significant shift, there can be unintended consequences. As depicted by Burch et al 2023, even with female commentator's obvious expertise they often face scepticism about their knowledge and competence in sports. Additionally the rise of online platforms has exposed them to a wave of harassment and abuse, perpetuating a hostile and discouraging environment. However, within the industry the ongoing efforts to promote gender equality are evident. Gender pay gaps still persist, with female journalists earning less than their male counterparts for similar roles and responsibilities.

Some people support Barton and say that everyone has a right to an opinion. However, many others like me disagree with Barton’s outspoken standpoint. Football commentary and broadcasting should be platforms that embrace diversity and inclusivity. Dismissing the idea of women having roles in football commentary sustains current biases and contributes to the ongoing issue of sexism in football commentary. He pointed out how you need to play football at a high level to be able to talk about it, however there are many talented women broadcasters that didn’t play football at all. A couple that spring to my mind is Kate Abdo and Laura Woods. This makes me question whether Barton’s idea of who is ‘Credible’ is more about keeping things the way they’ve always been and maintaining sexism in football commentary.

So what is the solution? Football commentary has always been opinionated people sharing their opinions more than sharing facts. Fans may watch certain sport shows because they like personalities such as the CBS Sports Champions League Show, which is full of personalities including the likes of Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher and Kate Abdo. What arguably makes the show entertaining is that they are brilliant personalities while also reporting on the football. This has nothing to do with their gender which is why I don't understand Joey Barton's sexist comments.

Seeing change in the future

Football, as a dynamic and influential part of our cultural landscape, provides a unique platform for connection, dialogue and debate. Barton’s comments have sparked discussions reflecting the extremes within the football community. On one side, fans unite with a shared goal of supporting one another; while on the other side, you have people's passion which blinds their negative comments and viewpoints.

The necessary evolution in football commentary demands a positive change in fan engagement. Supporters should channel their voices to drown out the negativity. Embracing this shift will not only enhance the fan experience but also contribute to creating an inclusive and supportive environment within the realm of football commentary.

What’s your take on Joey Barton’s Views? Is the push for diversity in football commentary a necessary evolution, or does it risk undermining the credibility of the sport? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.

Do you agree with the comments Joey Barton has made?

Yes

No

Voting ended onJan 15, 2024

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Transgender Athletes in Competitive Sports: Striking the Right Balance

“We cannot fit a multi-gender world into a two-gender system of sports.” ~ Dr Abhijit Naskar

Navigating the Field: Equity and Identity in Sports

A fierce debate rages in the high-stakes realm of competitive sports, challenging the foundation of what we consider fair and just. Transgender athletes have thrown established concepts into turmoil, inciting a frenzy of emotions, and generating a pivotal debate on the very nature of competition. How can we balance the weights to create an equitable battleground without undermining transgender competitors' dignity and identities?

We're not just grappling with the rulebook here; we're jumping headfirst into a storm of scientific research, ethical considerations, and shifting tides of society norms. Our era is defined by a growing awareness of gender diversity, but it is also filled with problems regarding justice and equality in the sporting arena. The search for answers necessitates not only open minds but also open hearts as we deconstruct and comprehend the intricate mosaic of perspectives that colour this debate.

This blog is more than simply a deep dive—it's an explosive study of this critical, contentious issue. We're here to shake things up, inspire thought, and gather insights from the many voices at the heart of this storm. Prepare to have your prejudices challenged, your passions ignited, and you join the discourse that is reinventing the very soul of sport.

Where Do We Draw the Line Between Inclusivity and Fairness in Sports?

A passionate dispute rages in the arena of competitive sports: inclusion versus fairness. What is the heart of the problem? Whether transgender athletes should participate under their declared gender identity, a position celebrated as a victory for human rights, or whether any physiological edges could disrupt the delicate balance of competition.

The main question is as important as it is contentious: Can we justify denying an athlete's identity in the name of fairness, or is fairness jeopardised when an athlete competes with an inherent advantage? These are the issues that are causing controversy in sports groups and governing bodies.

Science throws its own curveballs, with hormone therapy research showing a range of results. Some data imply that trans women may be able to maintain large muscle mass after therapy, potentially tilting the scales in strength-based sports.

A cultural change is underway, arguing for the acceptance of transgender identities in athletics. This disruptive wave is advocating for nuanced, data-driven rules that respect transgender athletes' rights without jeopardising the integrity of fair competition.

Hormone Therapy: The Science Behind the Sporting Equality Debate

Understanding the significance of hormone therapy in the world of sports is critical for navigating the inclusion of transgender athletes. This therapy aligns trans athletes' physiology with their gender identity by altering testosterone levels. However, its impact on athletic performance is complicated; while it can equalise certain physical characteristics, variations in muscle mass, strength, and endurance among athletes persist, sparking a continuing debate in sports science and ethics.

Hormone therapy has been shown to dramatically lower muscle mass in trans women while increasing it in trans males, with consequences on performance that are currently being studied. This biological transformation is at the heart of the sports fairness argument, with the scientific community trying to explain how these changes play out in the arena of competition. The goal is to create athletic policies that are both just and inclusive.

The Evolving Playbook: Shaping Policies for Transgender Inclusion in Sports

As the foundation of sports evolves, the inclusion of transgender athletes becomes a policy testing ground. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has developed hormone-based regulations to balance inclusivity and competition, while others have taken a different approach. This policy landscape is dynamic, constantly moulded by the pulse of new research and the chorus of public opinion, with the goal of reconciling the right to compete with a level playing field. What emerges is a patchwork of rules, a reflection of the continuing, intricate debate between changing societal norms and the pursuit of a level playing field.

Policies governing transgender athletes differ amongst sports organisations. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has established criteria based on maintaining a specific hormone level for a set amount of time. Transgender women must keep their testosterone levels below a particular level for at least 12 months before competing in World Athletics.

The NCAA has policies in place regarding the length of hormone therapy. These many approaches represent the complicated balance between inclusivity and competitive fairness, which is constantly shifting because of continuing research and societal developments.

Fair Play or Foul? The Ethical Dilemma of Transgender Participation in Sports

Transgender athletes' inclusion strikes at the heart of sports ethics, fusing modern inclusivity with age-old justice. Society is at a crossroads, rethinking gender stereotypes and sports equality. The essence of this ethical issue is whether transgender athletes' physiological variations jeopardise the purity of fair competition or whether the freedom to compete transcends these considerations. This conflict between tradition and progress elicits strong emotions and calls into question the essence of sportsmanship. As governments chart new paths, their policies reflect a greater cultural trend towards recognising and accepting varied gender identities.

The ongoing conversation is about society's ideals as much as it is about sports, with each policy update and debate expanding our understanding of fairness, inclusiveness, and identity. In this changing landscape, the sports world is not only reflecting change; it is leading the charge, arguing for a future in which identity and competitive spirit coexist.

Trailblazers on the Track and Platform: Transgender Athletes Redefining Sports

CeCé Telfer and Laurel Hubbard aren't just athletes; they are trailblazers who are transforming the sports industry. As an NCAA track and field champion, Telfer broke records and broke down boundaries, sparking a whirlwind of debate over transgender rights in sports. Lifting her way through the Olympics, Hubbard created a watershed moment for inclusivity on the global stage.

Their triumphant and harrowing adventures throw down the gauntlet on the confluence of personal rights and the core of fair play. They are icons of development and pillars of resilience, at the forefront of a cultural revolution, pushing the current norm and steering the discourse on sportsmanship into uncharted territory. Their names are inscribed not only on medals and records, but also on the bold strokes of societal upheaval.

The Finish Line and Beyond: Rethinking Inclusivity in Today’s Sports Culture

The story is diverse and varied from the athletes' point of view. Transgender athletes battle for recognition and respect, while cisgender athletes negotiate a spectrum of support and anxiety about the changing dynamics of the sports they love.

Fans and pundits contribute to this lively debate, their voices creating a mosaic of contemporary perspectives towards gender and sportsmanship. As the discussion rages in public, it becomes evident that the stakes are bigger than medals and trophies; this is about tracing the course of inclusivity in our time's tapestry.

Crossing the Finish Line Together: The Future of Fairness and Inclusion

With transgender inclusion, competitive sports are heading into uncharted territory, propelled by the sails of science and societal change. As pioneering research and a wave of social enlightenment lay the framework for policies crafted with a new depth of fairness and understanding, the future shines with promise. This changing confluence promises a sports world that fully values and embraces the diverse tapestry of athlete experiences.

A seismic shift is flowing through sports, fuelled by a surge of research into the complexities of gender identity and its impact on the game. This isn't just data crunching; it's an important change in thinking that will reshape the very definition of fair play. As the debate moves from the lab to the locker room and finally into the scream of the stands, it's evident that every voice, from athletes to connoisseurs, is redrawing the lines of this vital debate. It's not just about raising the bar; it's about rewriting the rules for the next generation of athletes.

In this emerging context, we might anticipate a more enlightened approach to policy development—one that not only recognises but also celebrates the variety of gender identities within the competitive arena. As this journey develops, the collective goal remains clear: to create a sporting environment that respects each athlete's unique character while adhering to the beloved principles of competition. The search of an equilibrium in which individual identity and competitiveness coexist is more than a dream; it is the template for the future of sports.

Transgender athletes' stories are more than just competition in the big arena of athletics; they are a monument to the tenacious human spirit. This ethos goes beyond performance measurements, representing diversity, equity, and acknowledgment for all competitors.

True sportsmanship is about more than just fair starts; it's about making every race, match, and game a monument to inclusivity. We are not asked to draw divisions, but rather to extend the embrace of the game to all.

Let us advocate for a future in which competition is associated with pride for every athlete and victories represent a collective celebration of our common humanity.

Sports serve as a unifier, bridging societal divides. Participate in this evolutionary leap by engaging in, endorsing, and elevating policies that respect both the integrity of the game and the rights of its players. The footprint we leave today will echo through the stadiums of tomorrow, ushering a new age in sports for future generations.

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Further Readings

Consider exploring the following sites to gain a better grasp of the intricacies of transgender athletes in sports:

Anderson, Eric. (2012). Inclusive Masculinity in a Physical Education Setting. Thymos: Journal of Boyhood Studies. 6. 151-165. 10.3149/thy.0602.151.

Anderson, L., Knox, T., & Heather, A. (2019). Trans-athletes in elite sport: inclusion and fairness. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences, 3(6), 759–762.

Jones, B. A., Arcelus, J., Bouman, W. P., & Haycraft, E. (2017). Sport and Transgender People: A Systematic Review of the Literature Relating to Sport Participation and Competitive Sport Policies. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 47(4), 701–716.

Roberts, T. A., Smalley, J., & Ahrendt, D. (2020). Effect of gender affirming hormones on athletic performance in transwomen and transmen: implications for sporting organisations and legislators. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2020-102329. Advance online publication.