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Women do not have an obligation to be pretty, according to feminists. The Lionesses have demonstrated this truth in the World Cup, from Lauren James’s sending off to their strategic fouls and time-wasting in the semi-final against Australia. They have mastered the craftiness of elite football and achieved their objectives. This is why Alex Greenwood’s calculated foul against Sam Kerr barely raised any concern in the commentary box.
Their progress in the tournament, leading England to their first World Cup final appearance since 1966, is a testament to their dedication, professionalism, and talent. They have shown their toughness when it mattered, even in cases like Lauren James’s unnecessary incident.
This brings us to the concept of “women’s football”, which is currently at a crucial turning point. The future will shape the sport and its management and monetization mechanisms for generations to come.
Until now, women’s football has been seen as a beacon of goodness in the midst of the corrupt and money-driven nature of the game. The Women’s Super League, with its family-friendly atmosphere, has been rightly celebrated and sought after by parents who prefer to shield their children from the toxic environment in men’s games. The joyful and peaceful atmosphere of the sold-out crowd at the women’s Euro final last summer was a stark contrast to the violence outside Wembley during the men’s equivalent event a year earlier.
Administrators and players in women’s football have held themselves to higher standards than their male counterparts. While Premier League clubs and players eagerly embraced investment from Saudi Arabia, the organizers of the current FIFA Women’s World Cup rejected their sponsorship due to the country’s human rights record not aligning with their values.
Baroness Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, believes that many appreciate the “different culture” of the women’s game.
“People say to me, ‘You’ve brought the beautiful game back’,” said Campbell last October, referring to both the style of play and the off-pitch behavior. “I’m talking about the skill level, the way the women play, their respect for the referee, their resilience when they get fouled.”
While diving has been less prevalent in women’s football, it is gradually making its way into the game. England fans were angered by the lack of a penalty when Rachel Daly fell in the box against Nigeria, but there were elements of performance in her tumble and the exaggerated neck rubbing that followed.
Magnus Wikman, Sweden’s assistant coach, was asked why diving is rare in women’s football. His response was that they simply want to play soccer without resorting to such tactics. However, he also acknowledged that the increasing presence of money in women’s football might change this in the future.
And that’s the challenge. It’s easy for women to maintain sportsmanship when the rewards are still comparatively lower. But if equality is the ultimate goal, it is only fair to expect them to play as fiercely and cynically as their male counterparts.
We are already seeing gamesmanship play a bigger role in other sports like cricket. Women should not be patronized or expected to conform to stereotypes compared to men.
The same applies to the overall development of the game. If women’s football needs funds, there should be no complaints if they come from betting companies, banks involved in fossil fuel investments, or countries with questionable human rights records. We should expect its (mostly female) administrators to demonstrate the same level of greed that men have, and fully utilize all available income streams.
So where does women’s football currently stand? It finds itself on a delicate precipice. Everyone agrees that the sport’s uniqueness lies in its alternative approach, kinder nature, family-oriented atmosphere, and community values. But achieving rapid growth and equality while preserving these qualities requires clear leadership both on and off the field. Opportunities like the legacy the Lionesses can leave behind are rare and should not be squandered.
Perhaps we should start by understanding the historical motivations and goals of women’s football. As the CEO of Women in Sport, an organization advocating for gender equality, points out, women’s football has always been a social cause. It has raised substantial funds for charity in the first half of the 20th century, emphasizing giving to society rather than taking from it.
According to Stephanie Hilborne, it is crucial for the sport to be deliberate about its purpose and intolerant towards anything that threatens it. Karen Carney’s government-commissioned review of the game emphasized the need to preserve its inclusive environment. However, achieving that requires clarity and strong leadership on and off the field. The legacy that the Lionesses can offer is a rare opportunity that should not be wasted.
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