Does the shift in focus from the recent triumphs of the FIFA World Cup win by Spain pose a threat to the advances made for women in Sport? It has been two weeks since Spain's epic 1:0 win over England in the FIFA World Cup in Sydney. Not being a football fan and recently falling out of love with the Spanish, I still found myself inspired by the Women's World Cup and the Spanish Team's journey. After all that happened, I also felt restrained from wanting to add to the roars following a beautiful game. However, the question begs asking if we are playing in the hands of misogynists by focusing on the kiss and missing the goal. (Pun intended) Was FIFA President Gianni Infantino correct in stating women should 'pick the right battles'? Well, women certainly should not need to convince anyone of what the right thing is to do over equality issues in football. Throughout history, women in sports grappled with systemic barriers. Women's football, though gaining traction globally, faced reluctance from institutions like FIFA to grant it equal footing with men's football. From holding back the World Cup Trademark to proposing undervalued matches and conditions, the women's game endured blatant bias. Though the prize pool increased from $30 million to $110 million, players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup earned on average just 25 cents for every dollar earned by men at their World Cup last year. Source: Statista/football-gender-gap-prize-money. The disparities extend beyond pay to the treatment of women in sports by people in power. How often are achievements overshadowed by institutionalized biases? The Spanish Women's Football Team is just the latest symptom where entrenched misogyny has resulted in the mistreatment and neglect of players' well-being and rights. Only three of the fifteen players got selected for the 2023 National Team after they complained about their current coach, Jorge Vilda. These complaints existed in 2015 and are ignored as much now as then—retaliation and control over prioritizing players' wellbeing. I was going to say; over doing what is right - but it occurs to me that this is what 'is right' for some. With this well-published backstory and celebrating the talented team's efforts on the world stage, Luis Rubiales chose to act inappropriately.
The question is not if there was consent, the question is why this does not happen to men. The impulsive act by Rubiales echoes an age-old presumption that men in power can overstep boundaries without consequence. The defiant refusal to apologize, reflect, or resign by men in power, signals the institutionalized entitlement by those who seek to control rather than lift. Despite historical biases, women's football has a resonant voice. Drawing inspiration from influencers like Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach, Simone Biles, and Taylor Swift, women's football now demands respect and equity.
Generations of women continue to show up, deliver, compete, and pave the way for the next generation. The goal should not be just about matching milestones set by the men's game, but securing a realm where women athletes are lauded for their skill, dedication, and entertainment value. So no, we will not pick the right battles - we will pick all the battles!
With Vilda's head large and center of the football association championship image - as if he deserves the praise for leading the Spanish team to victory and justification for his abuse of power. The Spanish team has shown their talents and grit. They did it not win because of men, but despite them.