The Football Association (FA) and Premier League have come under fire for reportedly prioritizing commercial interests over the safety of women. Alleged victims are claiming that they have been victimized through a culture of fear that is associated with speaking out. Amidst accusations that some Premier League clubs have continued to play two footballers, despite knowing they are under police investigation for sexual or domestic violence, seven out of twenty Premier League clubs have had players or bosses investigated by the police for sexual offenses since 2020.
The BBC reports that the identification of suspects is subject to privacy rules, which means that various individuals are not named in relation to this case. However, all of the women who have spoken out claim that they want to raise awareness surrounding their experiences to establish a protective mechanism for other women. One woman has stated that the FA and club’s lack of action when she reported a player for rape made her attempt to take her own life.
British politicians are backing up claims that footballers who become embroiled in criminal allegations such as rape, sexual assault, or controlling behavior should be suspended from playing until the investigations are fully concluded. This is particularly important considering the public role-model status of these footballers. In the US, both the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) have publicly-available policies for players or staff who have been accused of sexual or domestic violence.
The UK Government has recently outlined the introduction of an independent regulator for football in the King’s Speech. The government stated that this body will aim to “protect clubs’ and fans’ interests.” Dame Caroline Dinenage, the Chairwoman of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, is calling for the new regulator to ensure that the football world tackles its lack of response to violence against women. She was shocked at the BBC’s findings which demonstrate how much influence footballers have, especially when compared to generations of young people that look up to them
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