Sexual harassment against women working in football ‘doubles’ in two years

Incidents of sexual harassment towards women working in football have doubled in Britain over the last two years, according to a survey yesterday.

Almost half the women questioned by Women in Football (WIF) have also experienced sexism in the workplace, with one branding the problem “endemic” and another claiming it occurs daily.

One woman said she left her job after being subjected to sexist taunts from colleagues and sent sexually provocative texts on a match day.

WIF, which surveyed 505 women working in the sport, has called on the game’s governing bodies to act in a bid to “bring football into the 21st century”.

Anna Kessel, chair of WIF, said: “The fact that over half of the women have witnessed sexism in the industry and just under half have experienced it is shocking.

“I can’t think of any other industries in which it would be so widespread so it proves football has a problem and desperately needs to catch up. What is most concerning is that sexual harassment doubled. It may be that more women speak about it now, but either way it’s very grave and shows that sexism is still ingrained in football.”

The survey, conducted by Professor Sue Bridgewater and published on International Women’s Day, found that just 10% of females working in the sport believe enough is being done to improve their opportunities in the industry.

Sixty one per cent have witnessed sexism in the workplace, compared to 66% in a 2014 survey. 46% said they had experienced it themselves — although that figure is down from 57%.

Almost a quarter — 24% — had suffered bullying with 15 % claiming to be victims of sexual harassment, more than double the 7% found in 2014.

Incidents where women have actually been barred from certain places on the basis of their gender have nearly trebled — rising from 7% to 19%. Almost a quarter — 23%— feel their appearance is judged over their ability to do their job, while 15% believe they are expected to look glamorous at work.