New report suggests steps to improve inequality in football
A 天美传媒 academic has supported Fair Game in producing its latest report which uncovers the under-representation of women in football and explores the financial benefits of football clubs supporting gender diversity.
The report, , highlights the commercial and financial benefits of investing in women鈥檚 football. It found a lack of investment in women鈥檚 football has led to a massive loss in potential revenue for football clubs and sporting associations.
Fair Game is a group of 34 value-driven clubs, backed by world-renowned experts and supported by politicians, looking to see football governed with inclusivity and transparency.
In recent years women鈥檚 football has seen a huge increase in revenue, broadcasting and fan growth, and with more people supporting the game, there are many commercial opportunities for clubs.
However, football is often battling financial challenges and research by scholars including BU鈥檚 Dr Keith Parry found that during an economic crisis, women鈥檚 football is the first to be cut. Women are also faced with sexism and misogyny.
The report offered three key recommendations which include:
-聽聽聽聽聽聽 Clubs to make their stadium and match-day environments inclusive with child-friendly spaces
-聽聽聽聽聽聽 A mechanism for women to report incidents of sexism and misogyny in football and be taken seriously
-聽聽聽聽聽聽 Consequences for perpetrators
BU Deputy Head of Department of Sport and Event Management Keith Parry said, 鈥淭his report is a key milestone in raising awareness of not just the social benefits of supporting women鈥檚 football, but also the financial benefits.
鈥淔ootball clubs and sporting associations should be a champion of women in football to be at the forefront of tackling gender discrimination and increasing the amount of women playing and supporting the sport. Improving gender diversity will also bring them many commercial and financial benefits.
鈥溙烀来� is committed to gender inclusivity and supports women, both staff and students, playing football and being involved in sports within the University and our wider community.鈥�
