#the fa

I am going to explain now why I think that these statements are very problematic even though every word that is written is true. I know this will be too nuanced for some and I know some will send bad faith asks into my inbox or even call me a racist when I criticize Lauren James' behaviour. But I won't shut up and keep on explaining the nuances.

So to say this right away: everything they write is true. Abuse, threats, racism, discrimination of whatever sort is completely unacceptable and needs to be condemned and sanctioned consequently. There is no BUT to this. And everyone who follows my blog a little knows that I am very serious on this matter. I hope that as many people as possible who spread abuse and racism will get caught and sanctioned. Lauren James needs to be protected against this. Full stop. No excuses. FULL STOP.

BUT the statement is problematic because they completely leave out what she did. Of course no foul or incident would ever justify hate, threats and racism. I'd understand if they published two separate statements in order to avoid that these things get mixed up. Nuances, so yes, that would be understandable and fine. But they don't address at all that she stepped on Lia Wälti's foot out of the motion of play. They don't address at all that this is not the first time. They don't mention that this is a behaviour they don't tolerate and will talk about with LJ. But they should do this at the very latest now because it is visibly becoming a pattern. A dangerous pattern. It's possible to consequently condemn the abuse and hate, but at the same time be clear about the action itself. So when the club does now write that they condemn the online abuse "following...the fixture" it does contain some non-accountability like in Lauren James' statement after she had stepped on Michelle Alozie's back ("what happened" instead of "what I did").

Both issues need to be addressed and to only address the abuse is wrong and, sorry to say, the easier way out because who wouldn't agree on this statement they published? Nobody with at least a little bit of common sense wouldn't agree. But by leaving out what she did and how the club intends to handle this (okay, I get that they can't write that they will sweep it under the carpet, but...) they shut down objective and valid, unbiased criticism that refers not to her person or identities, but to the action only. It's clear that (if intended or not - I leave this up to you) people will now be reluctant to criticize what she did because they don't want to be accused of abuse or racism. Nuances are often missing, and sometimes they are missing intentionally. But her action itself has to be criticized and these actions becoming a pattern needs to be addressed.

Everyone following my blog knows that I am always addressing it whenever I see racist behaviour and comments. I am also very well aware of all the indirect and more or less subtle forms of racism like using loaded and coloured words and narratives. Or making judgments based on an obvious (racial) bias. I keep exposing and addressing these methods constantly. So without a doubt, if someone called LJ dangerous referring to her looks, her physiognomy or other attributes this would be racist wording and no valid criticism. When Ireland played Colombia before the World Cup we heard the word "like animals" stated by an Irish player/players referring to their Colombian opponents. This is racist wording. Insinuating that Colombia must have played dirty because they are South American and "well, we know how they are" (not my quote, just to be sure) absolutely meant to count on racist double standards that would make sure that most people believe the Irish. And we also had people calling Rosa Kafaji's criticism (of Peter Gerhardsson's personal choices) "complaining" and "impatient" when a player called Larsson (example) most likely would have been characterized as "ambitious" and "motivated". I am fully aware of all these methods and they need to be exposed and condemned.

But it has to be possible to criticize single actions when they are wrong regardless of the person. And stepping on a human being's back or foot is wrong and dangerous. Calling her dangerous because of her identity would be a loaded use of the word. But calling the action itself dangerous is simply a matter of fact use of the word. Stepping on someone, especially on a back (inner organs!) simply IS dangerous. Every criminal law book does know bodily harm and dangerous bodily harm because there exist objective criteria that make actions extra dangerous. When I see someone driving way too fast through the inner city or crossing red lights this behaviour is dangerous no matter who is driving. And that's how it has to be called. And also, football rules distinguish between fouls in the motion of play and actions that are happening out of the motion of play. They also use intent (targeting a player) as a criteria to distinguish between different cases. And sadly the way LJ is targeting players out of the motion of play + disrespecting and endangering their physical integrity is exceptional. Not even aggressive players like McCabe (I absolutely dislike her aggressiveness and I've often mentioned this here because it's way over the top in my book) target their opponents in such a manner when the play is already stopped. It's on another level because of what is objectively happening and not because of double standards.

By mixing up objective and valid criticism with biased "criticism" people are actually doing everyone a disservice because it means to invalidate and trivialize true racism and at the same it means to excuse wrong behaviour that is becoming a very concerning pattern.

Chelsea would have had the chance to point out this nuance and they would have had all my respect had they done this. Because nuances get lost everywhere in society despite being so important. Sadly, such a statement leads to the opposite and only makes things worse. Even though, like I said, nothing that is written in the statement is wrong itself. It's just incomplete, significantly incomplete. And that is bad and disappointing, to put it very mildly.

Well buckle up you’re in for a ride!

Managerial wise, like strictly coaching performance, he was abysmal. His system seemed to work almost purely off favouritism and keeping to traditional line ups and pushing younger players into feeling semi-worthless.

His head was never truly 100% in the game since, in his literal words, it was always a three year stepping stone to get him into club football (aka men's football). He came into the role with the absolute bare minimum of coaching experience, let alone any qualifications in the women's game. People didn't drag him too much when his job was still firmly secured but once he was announced to be leaving the press and even players started dragging him left right and center for his lack of respect towards women's football, his stint as basically a failed experiment in the role and the salary he was on which was nothing short of insulting to every pro women's footballer in England.

Sure, the first couple of games may be controlled, but as soon as fans step out of the stadiums, there is no control. No stopping fans from multiple households from mixing. No regulations, no covid-prevention measures and hyped-up football fans.

I know this event was not recorded so here are some notes from the “Celebrating LGBT+ Inclusion at Chelsea” webinar. Please note: these are NOT direct quotes!! I didn’t start taking super detailed notes until a few minutes into the panel, sorry about that. And I did a quick read through but I apologize for any typos or grammatical errors.

The panel included Chris Gibbons (moderator), Pernille Harder, Sara Matthews, Graeme Le Saux, and Funke Awoderu

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Chris: introduced each panelist and talked a little about rainbow laces

Graeme: (general point: we’ve made a lot of progress in the last 5-10 years, especially since I retired. Sorry, I wasn’t taking as detailed notes right at first)

Funke: (general point: Authentic support is so important.)

Sara: Sport brings people together. Chelsea is a brand with international following and a huge platform. Zero tolerance policy for a long time, internal and external. Demonstrating by doing not just by saying. Want to understand their demographic, look at areas where they are less diverse and how to address that. Look at who works in football, show a different type of recruitment.

Chris: I was nervous about being an out gay man coming into working at the FA. I asked in my interview about whether it was an open environment for a gay man and got a very thorough answer about anti-discrimination policies. Has that developed?

Funke: Yes, if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Data tells us something. Use it well to inform you plans. Proud of the LGBTQ+ people in the FA and their contributions. Don’t want to put people in boxes so we are trying to build a progressive, diverse environment. Learn from others and people’s lived experiences. Listen to the stories people tell. We’re on the right road. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. And it needs to happen on the leadership level.

Chris: Welcome to Chelsea, Pernille. I want to understand your experience of culture in the women’s game- previous clubs, international, and now being new to Chelsea. Women’s game is known for being open. What are your thoughts/experiences?

Pernille: Women’s’ football has always been open about homosexuality. Locker room and fans are very open. In Denmark environment- I wasn’t out, not comfortable. No one else was homosexual. It’s important that you don’t feel alone. I felt a difference right away when I came to Sweden, it was so normalized. I felt I could be myself which is the most important thing.

Graeme: I agree so much. If you feel you’re isolated, it stops you being yourself and others being themselves too. Infrastructure and support and work being done outside the game holding football accountable. Learning from other environments that are further ahead in inclusivity. Pernille, I’m curious, do you think not being out in Denmark held you back?

Pernille: It might, I didn’t think about it at the time. [After coming out], I felt more calm and secure and like I could be 100% self. I felt more honest with myself. It feels better when you trust yourself and what you’re doing. It reflects when you play too.

Chris: Where does it come from? Fans, locker room, Chelsea? What creates a positive, inclusive environment?

P: All individuals are open minded. No one uses sexuality or religion in a negative way. Comes from teammates, staff, everything around you. [It’s important that] the highest leaders in the club are inclusive, affects everyone underneath and what values to act from.

Sara: Reading on stonewalls website 43% of LGBTQ+ people don’t feel welcome at public events (not sure about this stat), such a shame. Being at Kingsmeadow, wow, what a different number that would be. A great place to come enjoy sport and feel very welcome and be a positive perception change.

Chris: We have lots of women’s team fans with us. Go to Chelsea women’s games!! (Mentions Chelsea Pride group and a few other groups and initiatives.) Graeme, why is a group like this so important? Why did you want to be a patron?

Graeme: To get honest feedback from people, get perspectives. Groups of different communities and perspectives are so important. They are a signpost for people who don’t have the confidence or support around them in their own lives. Can help people get into watching football and know that it’s a safe space. Every space should be safe of course, which is the next chapter- people don’t have to work under and umbrella to feel safe and welcome. It’s all built on trust and openness. Willingness to admit you might not get everything right all the time.

Chris: Pernille, you haven’t had much chance to engage with fans at Kingsmeadow, but why do you think these groups are important?

P: It’s important to feel a part of something and not alone. Groups like that help with this. Yesterday, we finally had fans back, 700 I think. I can’t wait to get more. In women’s football, fans love football, they don’t care who you are- sexuality, skin color.

Chris: Funke mentioned before the diversity of LGBTQ+. Trans people still feel a lot of barriers in taking part in sport. In 2014, the FA published policy on trans participation. Do you think football is becoming more inclusive for trans people?

Funke: This is one area that the whole game needs to collaborate better. LGBTQ+ identities are all lumped together right now. Lots of differences in LGBTQ+ community that we’re not considering, more conversations around gender identity, inclusion, education- we need to do the work around the journey for LGB work and apply it to trans inclusion. Now more than ever. There’s so much toxicity and miseducation. If we’re true to ‘the game is for everybody’, we can’t leave trans community behind. To come out as trans is not an easy thing to do, LGB people can pass but trans people sometimes cannot. Educate ourselves, use that to inform policy

Chris: How does that reflect what clubs are doing?

Sara: On the subject of intersectionality- we have to be honest. The data we have today is very recent. People are reluctant to report honestly, there may be fear. From an employer of choice perspective and perception- it’s about fairness, change the stereotype (like who works in football). We’re talking about diversity and inclusion every day. Huge range of departments which means you can bring in a huge range of people with different skills and experiences. You can create a different culture for the organization. Starts at recruitment, put forward the culture of the organization. When she sits in interviews, people ask about DEI, sustainability, corporate social responsibility. People expect their organization to have a narrative and verbalize what they think and feel about discrimination. Chelsea has stepped forward and said zero tolerance but message needs to be confirmed internally. Much more to be done. Education and information- it was not too long ago when women weren’t prevalent in the workforce, but it’s changed. Change happens fast. Lots of new and different people entering the workforce. Listen to people with different perspectives and points of view. We can create a better employee environment by making it so no one is ‘the other’, which comes with diversity

Chris: People have seen news about fans booing when people kneel and other negative reaction and that’s what sticks. What more needs to be done to tackle culture of hate in the stands? ..... Pernille, do you hear much discriminatory language in the stands at women’s game? What’s your experience?

P: No, fan culture is very different in men’s and women’s football. Men’s football is so big so there are a lot of different football fans. It’s difficult to say what to do to change it. It’s important to do something and act. Responsibility of players and other fans- trying to create a different fan culture. Standing up when you hear something. Players need to be stubborn and must stand up for each other.

Chris: Do you think if there was abuse, the response form the women’s game would be robust and quick? More solidarity [than in men’s football]?

P: I don’t know because I haven’t experienced it. I guess so

Graeme: It’s great that you haven’t experienced that. That’s a really big plus.

Chris: Chelsea was the first club to introduce fan re-education (like if a fan was banned for certain language anti-Semitism, they’d have a chance to learn more about why that language was not acceptable). Player re-education exists. How do we get fans to understand this better?

Graeme: It’s important to understand context of where it’s coming from, help someone overcome prejudice by learning something new. Doesn’t send out the right message to just throw someone out. There are a lot of things we grow up with contribute to this ignorance, so figure out where it’s coming from. Set boundaries of what we will and won’t tolerate. Give people a chance to own up to their mistakes. I’ve made some big mistakes in my career and been punished. I was taught to be honest, deal with consequences, and move on. That might remove external pressure. Make transition a bit smoother [as football moves forward], bring more people along

Chris: Funke’s been involved with the Rainbow laces campaign since early days. What impact do you think it has on the pro and grassroots game?

Funke: Immeasurable impact. Every start of the campaign gets better and better with the amount of support. It connect with adult and youth football. People love what the campaign stands for and want to get behind it and support it. Normalizing the playing field, this is a great opportunity to demonstrate the values and culture of your club. Challenge: how to continue to innovate and be creative in conversations and take it to the next level. It continues to grow and grow. More and more, people are taking a personal stand and educating themselves. Campaign has been a success but we won’t rest on our laurels. We must continue.

Chris: I tell youth players about the rainbow laces campaign and they sort of roll their eyes because they learn about and talk about this in school (and with their peers). The culture moving forward will be much more inclusive with the next generation of players. Do you think this will happen in clubs? (I didn’t quite catch this question but I think this is what he asked)

Sara: Yes. People wanted to be associated and show support, bummer we aren’t working at Stamford bridge in person. The next generation is going to be so important. There’s a lot of hate, and standing up against all of is important. People do want to learn- the more you learn, the less afraid you are to ask questions. People are still afraid of offending sometimes too but we’re moving toward really celebrating difference.

Chris: (reads a submitted question out loud about how Pernille is a role model and inspired this person to come out and be themselves) Pernille, how does it feel to be a role model for LGBTQ+ people, not only in sport?

Pernille: It’s great to hear this question. When I was younger, I missed some role models who were homosexual. I try to live as if it’s nothing special. I’m just myself, not hiding anything. That means showing pictures with my girlfriend and just acting normally. I don’t want to do something that doesn’t feel genuine. A lot of people like that I’m just myself and not embarrassed [about being homosexual].

Chris: There are people out there that think you’re a role model too, Graeme. Do you have a sense of the importance of role models?

Graeme: Once you have a profile, you recognize responsibilities associated with that. Whether you like it or not, you become a role model. None of us set out to be a role model. If you take money from sponsors because they think you can sell the product, you should be happy to be a role model, comes with the territory. Some people are more suited to that so it’s important to not hold people to go beyond their comfort. I take great pride in my ability to support things I believe in. I support in public and private and I don’t share everything about myself in public. Stand up and support values and principles, even when it’s not related to me. I was very alone in experience of defending myself [from rumors of being gay] while supporting people around me. It’s a big challenge in many ways. I will always do what I do out of principle. With a profile, you can reach more people.

Chris: Another question for Sara and Funke- what is the club’s response to supporters who have troll comments on rainbow laces posts? Should the club work harder to block and remove those comments?

Sara: The club won’t be dissuaded from doing the right thing. Follow discrimination laws- we will support and take action. Block and report when they can on social media. We do see other people who are posting challenge those comments. Those are important parts, have to work with social media companies, it’s not just trolling in football. Social media companies have to help as well to help manage this

Funke: Any organization driven by principles and values, there will always be haters sharing their view. We take the same measures that Sara just said. Year to year, the ecosystem conversation, calling people out, challenging people back. We know those comments will come. Work with social media companies to have more coordinated effort to take things down. Threshold for football is higher compared to those organizations [social media companies], makes it challenging to take things down immediately 

Chris: Graeme and Pernille, do you deal with trolls?

P: yes, there are a few. There will always be haters, especially when you speak up about your opinion. I mostly ignore them and focus on the positive. More positive than negative, positive people will comment on the negative which is amazing

G: yes, I do. I don’t like to give those people oxygen. As soon as you start engaging, you risk it escalating. Turn to social media companies for support too.

I got sent job postings from the English FA:

Me: One job linked to it is Anti-Doping Officer. I’m going to apply to it. ‘Don’t do banned substances.’ Job done.

Brother: I would hire Wayne Rooney’s wife as my assistant.

Me: She definitely would be able to find out who was doping. Somehow all the evidence will only point to Jamie Vardy and somehow Rebekah Vardy, even though she’s not even an athlete.