Ian Wright, retired professional footballer known for his legendary career with Arsenal, doesn’t shy away from advocating his beliefs towards the women’s game. When interviewed by Vicky McClure for the British GQ, Wright discusses the wrongful attitudes towards women within the football industry, and how that in time needs to change.
“The fact is women’s football, because of men has been put back. And at some stage, something’s going to have to be done about reparations for the women’s game.”
The ban restricting females from playing football was set in place by the FA in 1921. This was lifted in 1971 and since then the female game has grown impeccably. However, there are still aspects of misogyny and disrespect that have arisen in the recent occurrences in relation to females working and thriving within the industry of football.
Joey Barton was rightfully criticised for his lack of respect and misogynistic views towards females having rights to appear within the football industry. He unfairly stated that Alex Scott, a former Arsenal Women’s player who made 140 appearances for the England national team and represented Great Britain at the 2012 Summer Olympics, “[isn’t] qualified to talk with any authority about the men’s game”.
Ian Wright addresses this:
“It’s wrong. It’s wrong what’s happening to them. What’s happening to the ladies in punditry. It’s wrong.”
“All of those women in that England team, every one of them have got a story that will probably make every single person in here cry.”
Due to the lack of access and opportunities, most if not all of the lionesses have put extreme hard work and dedication to get to the point that they are each at in their careers.
In an article we released previously, we covered Mary Earps’ journey throughout her career. Using Earps as an example, she is someone who has put an inspiring amount of hard work into her career: juggling education with multiple part time jobs on top of pursuing her footballing career. She is highly recognised for her speech presented after winning FIFAs Best Female Goalkeeper Award; addressing those that may be going through a dark time, that there is “a light at the end of the tunnel… sometimes success looks like this collecting trophies, sometimes it’s just waking up and put one step in front of the other.” Earps has gone on to produce a clothing brand enabling people to wear her inspirational speech to hopefully impact others. Her quote “be unapologetically yourself” enlightens her audience on the struggles that she faced growing up, dealing with bullying, which she opened up about in an interview for BBC Children in Need.
Each and every individual within the Lionesses’ team continues to show dedication on and off the pitch.
“Women’s football in itself, it’s terrible how they’re being treated right now.”
Ian Wright’s passionate plea shines a light on the stark inequalities still facing women’s football, despite the incredible achievements of the Lionesses. Reflecting on their journey after the semi-final victory against Sweden, he raised an essential question:
“We’ve got to make sure that they are able to play and get the opportunity to do this because it’s going to inspire a lot of people… Whatever happens in the final now, if girls are not allowed to play football just like the boys can in their P.E. after this tournament, then what are we doing?”
Wright emphasises that while progress has been made, “Still things have to be done to bring the minimum standards of the women’s game up.” His unwavering commitment to driving change in women’s football underscores the importance of ensuring that future generations are afforded equal opportunities. As he powerfully concludes, “And that’s why I keep talking about it.”
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/46BTouxpnj0?rel=0&autoplay=0&showinfo=0&enablejsapi=0
https://news.sky.com/story/ian-wright-announces-he-is-stepping-down-from-match-of-the-day-13032501
@bbcsportBrilliantly put and spot on @wrightyofficial ❤️ #bbcsport #weuro2022 #euro2022 #ianwright #england #lionesses
