Study shows that women’s football has grown, but there are still barriers to be faced by the category

A survey conducted by the United Kingdom on women’s football, showed the sport’s growth among football fans, but despite this great visibility, there are still many male fans who have anti-women attitudes. According to the survey, there is still a large majority, about 68% of situations are related to sexual acts.

The study polled about 1,950 sports fans, all of whom were men. They were recruited from a forum led by scientist Stacey Pope of Durham University. Researchers from the University of Leicester and the University of South Australia also participated in the research. This was the first time a study looked at football fans’ attitudes toward women in sport.

In the current scenario, women’s football is advancing, and large communication channels cover the matches. The survey conducted by the study was based on the 2012 London Olympics and 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. The cup was a great thing in the UK, where all England matches were broadcast and broke records at the time.

An example in Brazil is TV Globo, which broadcasts matches on national television. Notably, women’s football on the national territory was prohibited by law from 1941 to 1979. That is, it is a big step when it comes to development and acceptance, but there is still a long way to go. As one of the biggest monopolies when it comes to soccer fairs, the move by Globo to broadcast women’s soccer has been much celebrated. The station will broadcast the Women’s Super Cup, and the first match was played on Sunday (6), with the match between Palmeiras and Corinthians. Timao won 3-0 at the New Quémica Arena.

Professor Stacey Pope, interviewed by VEJA and speaking on the topic, for her, coverage of women’s football has caused some men to change their perceptions about the sport, but gender-biased and misogynistic attitudes still exist: “There are many examples of men from all over the world. Generations that display highly misogynistic and misogynistic attitudes.”

In Brazil, currently all major clubs have women’s football in their ranks, but not all clubs treat men’s football in the same way. Corinthians is one of the teams that appreciates this category the most, as it seeks to encourage improvements and also its fans to come to the field and support the girls who play in the Alfinegra shirt.

Recently, the Timão coach defended the obligation of all clubs to conclude a contract with their players, which is not considered mandatory by the entities responsible for Brazilian football. Corinthians since 2020 all professional contracts with its players have been settled. In addition to him, the director of football, Chris, also spoke on this topic and invited all Brazilian teams to do this, as a minimum. Chris said he wants to see all the athletes get organized the right way, and that’s not just for the big teams. That Corinth plans long-term, invests in and respects sport. A model that other Brazilian teams are following today.

It is an example of how much women’s football has also grown in Brazil, but in general there are many difficulties, prejudices and lack of appreciation even by clubs that have included this method in their network. Still, according to research and English professor, Stacey Pope, exhibition on open television can change sports standards: “Increased exposure in the media can change attitudes for men, we require more media coverage of women’s sports to promote greater gender equality and promote social justice. “.