• Sports -> Sports History and Culture

• 0 Comment

How has football dealt with incidents of racial and gender discrimination in the sport and its associated environment?

Keeley MacCaghan

Football has dealt with incidents of racial and gender discrimination in the sport and its associated environment in a variety of ways over the years. In the past, there were instances of racist chants and gestures from fans towards players of different ethnicities, but thankfully these incidents have decreased in recent years. In fact, according to a study conducted by UEFA in 2018, there was a 17% decrease in reported incidents of racism in football compared to the previous year.

One way that football has tackled the issue of racial discrimination is through initiatives like the Black Lives Matter movement. In the wake of George Floyd's death in 2020, players, coaches, and fans alike began to take a stand against racism in the sport. Football teams across the world have been kneeling before matches to show solidarity with the movement, and players have been speaking out against racism on social media. It's important to note that while the Black Lives Matter movement has been successful in raising awareness about systemic racism, there's still a long way to go before we can truly say that football is a completely fair and equal playing field for all.

When it comes to gender discrimination, women's football has been making strides in recent years. According to FIFA's 2019 Women's World Cup review, the tournament saw a 12% increase in viewership compared to the previous edition in 2015. Additionally, the review notes that the total prize money for the tournament was doubled from $15 million to $30 million, making it the most lucrative women's sporting event ever held. These increases show that there is a growing interest in women's football, and that efforts to promote and support the sport are having a positive impact.

However, there are still challenges facing women in football. For example, there is a significant pay gap between male and female footballers. According to a report from The Guardian, the top male footballers in the English Premier League can earn up to $335,000 per week, while the top female footballers in the Women's Super League earn an average of just $35,000 per year. This inequality means that women still struggle to make a career out of football, and many are forced to work other jobs to make ends meet.

In conclusion, football has made progress in dealing with incidents of racial and gender discrimination, but there's still a lot of work to be done. Initiatives like the Black Lives Matter movement and increased support for women's football are steps in the right direction, but we need to continue pushing for equality both on and off the field. Only then can we say that we've truly tackled discrimination in football.