YESTERDAY MORNING, A group of 14 Irish international soccer players with 550 caps and one Fifa Puskas nomination between them, held a press conference along with the PFAI and Siptu in Liberty Hall to explain why they were contemplating strike action following negotiations with their governing body.
The unprecedented retirement announcement of Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper an hour prior to kick-off threatened to steal the show – and the headlines – in advance; but no, the top brass of sports journalism were all there in the room to hear what the players had to say, and bear witness to what will be remembered as one of the most remarkable press conferences in Irish sporting history.
But it wasn’t Shane Long, Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick sitting at the top table and drawing the football media out in force with their revelations – it was Emma Byrne, Stephanie Roche, Áine O’Gorman and their fellow members of the Irish international women’s squad.
During the hour-long press conference, the players and their representatives gave detail of their efforts to engage with the FAI over the past two years to secure basic supports for when they tog out to represent Ireland on an international stage, and why their negotiations had ultimately come up short. The squad felt that they had been left with no other option but to air an embarrassing litany of ill-treatment from their publicly funded governing body, and threaten refusal to play next Monday’s international friendly against Slovakia in order for them to be taken seriously.
Those in attendance listened in disbelief; their tweets and soundbites devoured by followers – an instant and widespread showing of sporting solidarity permeating social media before the event had even reached its conclusion. A group of international athletes so visibly uncomfortable at discussing how they have been mistreated couldn’t but leave the general public outraged, and embarrassed.
The list of issues that the players and the FAI have been unable to resolve during two years of negotiations are astounding in their pettiness – it would be hard to argue that the squad are ‘gold-digging’ when the primary issues include the access to a nutritionist, gym membership, and strength and conditioning programmes that come as standard with many amateur club teams around the country.
Much has been made since of the scenario described by the players in which they receive team tracksuits in the airport when travelling abroad, and hence must change in the toilets, and return them afterwards – a process which they described as “humiliating”. Likewise, a simple request for guaranteed wifi in their accommodation when on tour has grabbed headlines – this isn’t so that the players can update their Instagram or watch Netflix in their hotel rooms; but instead a sobering reminder that many of them must keep their work lives afloat online in between training and playing matches.
Similarly, some squad members take unpaid leave for the purpose of playing international football. It is unimaginable to think that the likes of James McClean or Jonathan Walters would be asked to go out of pocket to represent their country, but it’s fine for the women, apparently.
The FAI have outright refused to engage with the PFAI, who are representing the group of players – save for sending them correspondence bordering on a threat that going public with grievances could ultimately endanger the players’ careers. Well, to quote that very letter, the FAI needn’t have worried about any damage to the players’ reputations – for “those many young people” who look up to them as “role models”, there is no stronger image for them to see than that of a group of international sportswomen, united and proudly wearing the green of the country they represent, standing outside the historic Liberty Hall having just bravely blazed a trail for themselves, their fellow female athletes, and the future generations that will follow.
As captain Emma Byrne said, “We’re here because we want to be able to field the best national team possible and be able to compete at the highest level possible.” These players are fuelled entirely by their passion for their sport and their desire to compete internationally for Ireland, and it shows.
The lead sports story on RTÉ’s Six One News; top billing on both Second Captains and Off The Ball; trending on Twitter for the entire day; countless articles from national newspapers and leading online publishers. With the level of coverage received, the story was unmissable. So it’s no wonder that the football purists felt it necessary to chime in, pointing out that there the men’s national team is more popular, that not every team that wants funding can get it, and that these players should make good with what they’re given.
Well here’s the thing, Keyboard Warriors. When a national governing body is in receipt of public money, some of which is conditional on increasing women’s participation in the sport, then the public are entitled to know how that money is distributed, and have the impact of that money accounted for.
“As usual women’s sports are looking to be subsidised out of the men’s earnings. Girl power and all that…”
The Irish women’s squad are certainly not asking for 50% of the public money that the FAI receive, or indeed any support from the men’s team whatsoever. They’re asking for something much more straightforward than that – to be treated with the respect, dignity and equality owed to a team of athletes who represent Ireland internationally.
“Would love a cash investment for our Thursday night five-a-side too but nobody watches us either…”
We’re truly sorry your local five-a-side squad doesn’t receive a grant from Sport Ireland. We really are. But if a governing body which received €2.7m of taxpayers’ money in 2015 alone still can’t meet the basic requirements of one of their senior national teams, then there is clearly a problem.
“There is no interest in the women’s game.”
The reaction yesterday has more than proved otherwise. Also you just commented on an article about the women’s game… that’s interest. Oh, and more than 750m television viewers watched the Fifa Women’s World Cup in 2015, FYI.
The situation that the national senior women’s football team find themselves in is the result of a culture in the FAI, in the realm of football, and in the wider context of sport. The high-handedness of the FAI’s statement in response to yesterday’s press conference was in a tone seemingly reserved just for the women’s team.
Earlier today on Morning Ireland, Noel King – an employee of the FAI and a former manager of the women’s national team – repeatedly referred to the squad as “girls”. Language is hugely important in a situation like this one – and that use of that one single word in itself speaks volumes. It is also evocative of a wider sporting culture which views female athletes as lesser than their male counterparts – easily gauged by the myriad of Gaelic footballers, rugby players, camogie players, cricket players, hockey players and Olympians who rowed in behind the squad yesterday with messages of support and solidarity.
In their club lives, some members of the Irish squad play alongside the absolute cream of international footballing talent – in addition to the many Lionesses they call team-mates, an influx of World Cup-winning USA soccer superstars into The FA Women’s Super League means that this season Katie McCabe is playing alongside Heather O’Reilly at Arsenal; likewise Niamh Fahey with Crystal Dunn at Chelsea; with Megan Campbell teaming up with reigning Fifa World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd at Manchester City.
The US women’s national team are no strangers to standing up for their rights and gaining recognition for it. What began in 1994 with pioneers like Julie Foudy and Mia Hamm extends to the current generation, with leading members of the squad continually taking their governing body US Soccer to task over improving payment and conditions.
Similarly, we have Denise O’Sullivan flying the flag state-side with NWSL club Houston Dash, and Megan Connolly on scholarship with Florida State University for her on-pitch talents, feeling the full benefit of Title XI legislation – a US federal law that ensures equality and parity for college athletes.
These players have all witnessed first-hand, often on a daily basis, that higher standards certainly do exist for female soccer players internationally, and drastic change is required here at home in order to keep up with the pace. Only last week, they witnessed the USA women’s ice hockey squad – with a mantra of “be bold for change” – in an almost identical situation to themselves, coming out the other side of it with a historic deal secured, bolstered by a huge outpouring of athlete, media and public support that their governing body simply could not ignore.
The Irish women’s national team have now bravely stepped up to fight for their own basic rights, showing immense courage in taking action. As things currently stand, this group of women, fuelled entirely by passion for their sport, are on the verge of foregoing the opportunity to represent their country next Monday.
The players have publicly expressed thanks for the outpouring of support that they have received in the past 24 hours, but that support needs to extend beyond the immediate aftermath of sending message of solidarity on Twitter, or linking to a news story on Facebook.
The best way to fundamentally support these women is to actually physically support them – look up fixtures, go to an event, and bring a family member or friend along. Channel your reactive rage to this story into showing the FAI that we want the best for the squad in the long-term, as they build towards the goal of securing qualification for a major tournament.
Finally, to the players – never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
– Elaine Buckley and Emily Glen produce the FAIR GAME Podcast, winner of Best Podcast Series at the 2016 Web Awards.
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Why have a separate organisation at all? Is a gay rugby player not simply a rugby player?
Normally I’d agree with your point but I think the IGR is for gay-only teams, not just general rugby players who happen to be gay. What this may be designed to do is to allow closeted gay players in ‘mainstream’ rugby to come out so the game as a whole continues to be more tolerant and you’d imagine once that happens that World Rugby would subsume IGR.
The issue is less at a high level but probably more grass roots – the idea of having a gay-only league or team could be appealing to a young gay man who wants to play rugby without fear of persecution etc.
Exactly! Highlighting a difference between rugby players in terms of sexuality is pretty ridiculous. Who the hell keeps funding these homophobia social training groups? Why is it constantly pushed?
Does grabbing a man’s crotch make you gay? Shoving ure head as close to his genitals as possible without undressing? Rolling around on the ground with a group of men getting all sweaty & excited? I think IGR is just rugby returning to its roots – surely there should be a bigger push to convince straight men they can play rugby & be secure in their heterosexuality.
Ffs absolutely when is this lbgt nonsense going to stop, when are we going to have lbgt biscuits, lbgt toast machines, lbgt cars, oh the injustice
Well I see someone got an extra helping of their Bigot-Os this morning, Johnny boy…
Ive never had a problem, the need 4 these sep teams is gone (even if it wasnt we wont get acceptence by hiding in segregated teams) Self segregation is an odd way to promote inclusion. Homophobia and sterotypes only get busted by us mixing more, having separate bars, sports teams etc is totally moronic this day in age, not to mention unnesscary
Oh graham how funny of you, bigot, wa wa wa wa wa wa
@Ryan, I can’t say that you’re necessarily wrong, but unfortunately bigotry and homophobia don’t disappear with a wave of a wand. I probably wouldn’t even have gotten into the sport of rugby if it weren’t for the Emerald Warriors, so having a safe, supportive and welcoming environment definitely helped me make the choice.
(As the perpetual homophobic johnny boy demonstrates quite adroitly).
@johnny, u appear on every gay related story bitching and complaining that it is being covered etc etc. Nobody is forcing you to click in and comment, the lady doth protest too much comes to mind.
@ Brian – he probably works for Beulah Printing – they’re having a slow day at the office today, I understand. ;)
Its LGBT-Q now Johnny, the grand committee for the advancement of the homosexual agenda added a Q for ‘questioning’ in the hope that hunky str8 guys would suddenly start to doubt and test to see what they were into, the results were poor so were replacing with an S next year and redefining bi to ‘anyone who has ever come into physical contact with a member of the same gender”.
Help help help I’m under insult ice attack from the lbgtq mafia
Ah sorry for being so reasonable in my original reply Ryan – I forgot you were an ass.
Sleeping with the fishes will probably be a step up from sleeping alone, Johnny boy.
I see you cant recognise when somones joking graham, dont take it all 2 seriously youll make yourself miserable.
My point is sexuality has no more to do with sport than hair color there is zero logic in seperate teams, i mean what possible reason could any1 come up with
I also wasnt suggesting a magic wand. I was suggesting mixing is better than hiding, make them get used to u as bob their sound, easy going teammate with a fun sense of humor instear of ‘that other’ on that other team
When i met teammates, we talked about what college we went 2, school, neighborhoods we eere from, if id play b4..none of them said “so yeah Blackrock with a start in pres best forgotten then ucd where im studying commerce..oh and i like pussy”.
Valid point Joe, i guess you could argue that in an attempt to break down barriers, integrate and promote understanding and tolerance, this actively promotes separation.
Take it for what it is…………the most manly of sports not being afraid to be to show that there’s no difference. Personally I’m delighted that there is acceptance that there is no difference between people regardless of there personal choices. The only sad thing is that there is a feeling of necessity to publicise/ announce it! That said………
WELL DONE RUGBY!
Setting up a separate organisation for gay players, separate teams for gay players and separate tournaments for gay players is not a way to get equality in sport.
It draws awarenss yes but is awareness what is needed. The fact that Nigel Owens thinks fellas are good looking isnt remotely relevant when he refs a 6 Nations game.
Surely merely by having an International Gay Rugby association are they not undermining the very thing they want to achieve. I.e. That it isn’t a big deal what a persons sexuality is.
Scrums will be a laugh.
They’ll take forever .
Who’s going to tick the mick out of Gareth Thomas or Nigel Owens who just take’s the mick in general. I applaud this attitude who know’s how many sporting hero’s we missed out on throughout the years due to prejudice’s in sport across the board. As long as they hit hard and contribute to the team who caress what else they do.
I’m going to get plenty of thumbs down for this, but this strikes me as yet another example of rugby being unable to pat itself on its back without having a dig at other sports. Why the need for reference to other sports? John Eales did the same in this same context last year saying its only right that rugby takes the lead in this area as it’s more inclusive than other sports due to accommodating all shapes and sizes. It’s also a very exclusive sport (and not in the oft cited economic sense). No other sport in my university had a clique that you were either in or out of. But that’s not the point – it’s that this announcement is diminished in my eyes due to the need to bring other games into it. It looks like a calculated PR gimmick.
Is rugby really taking the lead? There has been a gay World Cup in football for years for example, and a world gay games in athletics. There’s a prominent gay soccer team in Dublin (the Devils) and likewise in London (Stonewall FC) and many more around the world.
LGBT discrimination is less prominent in sport and society than it used to be, which is fantastic. I was at a talk at Birkbeck College recently on this topic, where LGBT members of the audience who have been going to football for decades say there has never been a more welcoming time to be a gay fan. The PFA believe a top footballer coming out while currently playing is imminent. The battle hasn’t been won in any sport but it is being won. The Irish woman who runs Kick It Out agrees.
Is it a bad thing that different sporting organisations are trying to compete to be more inclusive?
Petty point scoring over other sports just smacks of insecurity to me.
I agree with the point below that having a separate body for LGBT rugby would seem to actually undermine the principle of there being no difference. However, if it helps to address discrimination then no complaints.
Are there any “transgender” athletes?
Why wouldn’t there be?
Well there couldn’t be transsexuals for obvious reasons. I suppose you could have someone like Bruce Jenner who might think of themselves as different than what they are. I don’t know exactly what the term ‘transgender’ encompasses
What – you can be transsexual or you can be an athlete, but not both?
A six foot 4 former male boxer now a six foot 4 female boxer goes up against a regular woman boxer who going to win.
So you’re saying that they shouldn’t be allowed to compete at any level? Try telling that to your fictional formerly male six foot 4 boxers face.
There was an issue I remember a few years ago of a martial arts competition for women where the winner was MTF trans, and their opponents were not told. Seasoned fans watching felt she had poor technique compared to her competition, but was winning on raw power, and given the difference in skeltal and muscular build between someone born as a man or a woman, they certainly had an advantage over the competition.
It’s a sticky subject.
Sorry I just don’t get it , this just creates a division . Aren’t we all just the same , doesn’t matter if you are gay , lesbian , straight or whatever ?
The gay rugby organisation already exists (for whatever reasons). Nobody is pushing people out of mainstream rugby.
But mainstream rugby needs to be vigilant as there are some homophobic attitudes out there (and have been heard in the terraces).
I think we are lucky that the best rugby ref is also a gay man – I think this helps to keep the focus on being inclusive.
Alan.
BTW what the hell is GAY rugby I though there was just rugby..that women and me played Oh! well I must be homowhatsit so!
Sick listening about lgbt,even this shows they are different so vote no in referendum
I can’t wait to hear what the testosterone fueled beer guzzlers have to say next time there is a match on telly, it’s bad enough listening to them giving out about football but this will be brilliant, can’t wait, move over there twinkle toes
I think the biggest problems with any group is other groups acting as if they are different from them. Instead of celebrating the difference, how about celebration what they share.
When you starting focusing on what is different you are in my view judging who people are?
Its a load of bollix …or is it