The need for further diversity and inclusivity in women’s football

England is not just white: it is a spectrum of races and identities.

With the growth of women's football and even in its early stages, a major positive of the game has been the space that it creates for minority groups, particularly for women and the intersection that has with the LGBTQIA+ community.

There is no doubt that the creation of such spaces and events should be celebrated… However, an issue that lies in the game and extends to the media and events that surround it is race. It is something that has been witnessed on multiple occasions.

As the women’s game grows, these issues should arguably become more apparent and as a result resolutions are put in place, or at least that should be the case, but it most certainly is not.

Cases of abuse

As a black woman, it is infuriating watching different players of colour become targets of such hatred and discrimination on repeated occasions as if it were some ‘rite of passage’.

During the UEFA Women’s EURO, England international, Jess Carter had to take a step back from social media and hand her online platforms to a team, due to the large amount of race-based hateful comments she received. Having watched Carter in the build-up to the EURO final, it seems she did not play her best games. However, in no world does her not playing to the best of her ability warrant or justify such hate.

It must be remembered that this is not the first time that this has occurred for a player of colour. It would be hopeful to say that this was the last time a player is subjected to such hateful and discriminative behaviour. However, based on the history of the game, where too many past and present footballers of colour have received such treatment, that would be blind optimism.

Carter is not the first player to experience this and likely will not be the last… until systemic changes are made. This year alone players such as Manchester City’s Khadija Bunny Shaw and Arsenal’s Taylor Hinds have also experienced racist comments; this forced them to take a break from their career to protect their wellbeing. Chelsea star, Lauren James also experienced this during the UEFA Women’s World Cup  in 2023, and in the Barclays Women’s Super League. Sadly, the problem runs so much deeper than football. 

Every player has a different background, identity and experience. But those with a diverse ethnic background are the target of backlash and abuse online should they make individual mistakes or underperform. This simply points back to the problem of race. Once again reminding us that this problem exists in football. This problem cannot be ignored.

Hateful and discriminatory behaviour hand in hand with growth

Lucy Bronze recently said in a press conference relating to the matter “as the women’s game grows so does the support but also the abuse.”

It is a statement that is undeniable when you look at the experiences of players. Although in the early stages of the game it was mainly women who were viewers and fans, the growth has brought male viewers into the space. Of course, this encourages growth and should not be viewed as a negative change. However, when you look at the reasons why the women’s game was considered such a safe space for minority communities compared to the men’s, it is understandable how the abuse correlates with the growth.

Reviewing the men’s EURO 2020, players such as Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho received the same race-fuelled hate online. Some fans of the male game engaged in violent, anti-social and racist behaviours not only online but also in the streets. Individuals received consequences for their actions, as arrests were made so some justice was served. When a topic such as race has such systemic depth and history to it, a few arrests are not enough.

The number of people performing or facing discriminatory behaviours is on the rise in football (via Kick It Out). It is sad to say but that is the harsh reality. This behaviour has not been condemned enough and as the women’s game grows and men find themselves enjoying it too, it is not surprising to see them think that it is appropriate and acceptable to engage in such behaviours in the women’s space.

All that being said, there is nothing to say that women do not engage in such behaviours. More inclusivity is needed in the women's football space. Having more diversity would ideally increase cultural awareness, better the understanding of cultures and cultural expression, and normalise diversity. Thus, less situations that demonstrate ignorance would occur.

The women’s football space needs more non-white representation. Repeat: The women’s football space needs more non-white representation. Both in the media and on the pitch. It is difficult to see how the lack of representation affects the space and how so many are blind to this. Sometimes it feels like the lack of representation is only noticed on the back of racist incidents at a major tournament.

Perceptions of race in the women’s game

Additionally, it is interesting watching how race is perceived by people in the women’s game. For example, when a team like England is winning a game and the goals are scored by non-white players, such as James and Michelle Aygemang, people are willing to ignore their race when celebrating. On the flip side, when England are losing or going through a tough game, such as the EURO semi-final against Sweden, the race of players is weaponised when they want to attack or criticise players of colour involved. This is what happened to Carter. The racial identity of players of colour is only acknowledged when it benefits them.

The truth is: it is not up to any one person to police when and who is an England player. If they are wearing an England shirt as a professional player on a national team, that is an England player. The thing is this is not just something that occurs when players are in their home country’s kit; it also occurs when players are in their club kits. It does not matter what football kit is being worn, no player deserves to be on the receiving end of such discrimination.

By no means is the point that having more diversity on the pitch is the solution to the systemic issues of race. The key point is that more diversity and representation on the pitch, would extend to the media aspect of women’s football as it invites more women of colour to feel represented and motivates them to engage with the game further with hopefully more positive experiences.

When diversity occurs on this level, perhaps more football viewers would come to understand that diversity does exist and is key to, not just the English women’s team, but England as a whole. For changes to happen on such a wide scale it is up to those organisations and federations behind the scenes to promote the change. Whilst this is beyond the control of onlookers, there are many things to be done on an individual level to encourage understanding, and the urgent demand for that change.

Women’s football should not just be a safe space for white identities; it should be a safe space for a range of intersectional identities. There is no world that justifies hate or discrimination. This must be addressed and change for the future of the game.