- Aluko’s remark that stadiums are ‘not safe for women’ has sparked a backlash
- No one should ridicule anyone’s personal experiences being in stadiums.
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I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had a bad experience attending a soccer game, if we don’t include the times I’ve seen my team lose, which is common.
There are three experiences from my childhood following Hull City where I remember feeling a little scared. There was an awkward moment this season when I ran into two men in the QPR women’s toilets; The less said about it, the better. But I would say that 95 percent of my experience watching football as a fan has been problem-free.
It goes without saying that your own experience is not the same as someone else’s and vice versa, but it seems that Eni Aluko’s comment that stadiums are “not safe for women” has irritated quite a few people this week.
Just as Aluko does not speak for all female fans, no one should ridicule or invalidate another person’s personal experiences.
Just because you haven’t had the displeasure of encountering abuse, physical or verbal, at a football game, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Eni Aluko shared her opinion that men’s football in this country is not a safe space for women
There is a reason why Her Game Too was founded in 2021. The anti-sexism group was created by a group of female soccer fans in May 2021 with a video in which female soccer fans showed the sexist abuse they received from soccer fans. soccer.
Abuse on social media is certainly more common than inside stadiums and appears to be worryingly on the rise. But there are examples of serious problems on terraces.
One fan, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Mail Sport how they were assaulted and abused while attending a match at their club’s stadium.
“I have had men shout in my face, I have had men kiss me when celebrating a goal that was neither welcome nor reciprocated.
In my days of absence they have touched me and groped me. I experience similar things in the pubs near football.
‘I have received abuse on social media simply for sharing an opinion about football. Once a man on a field got so upset that he said, “stick to netball.” I hadn’t even said a word, I was very angry with the then coach.
“While I think stadiums are generally pretty safe for women, there’s still a reason Her Game Too exists too. Just because not all women see it or experience it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
‘One experience left me so scared that I didn’t return to my season ticket seat for about five or six games. I opted to sit in a different stand with a friend who had an extra ticket next to him.
The anti-sexism group Her Game Too launched in 2021 with a video in which female soccer fans showed the sexist abuse they received from soccer fans.
It is important that football recognizes and supports fans who suffer abuse at matches.
‘I know many stories similar to mine from other women I know. We always have to prove to men that we are worthy of being in football: our knowledge of the laws or our team, whatever it may be.
“It’s like we have to fight for the right to be there.”
Football can always do more for its fans, whether they are women, disabled fans, young children or the elderly.
While Aluko’s comments may not speak for all female football fans in the country, it is important that we recognize and support those who have suffered abuse at matches, and report it if we see it. Football has to be an environment in which everyone feels safe to participate.