Has Women's Football Inspired Roy Hodgson’s Team?

                              Has Women's Football Inspired Roy Hodgson’s Team?
 

Months after the England women’s teams superb effort in the World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals, England’s men’s team have continued the assault on all fronts with a string of impressive victories. So has the women’s teams recent heroics inspired the men to up their game ahead of the European Championships next year?

After the devastating loss to Japan in the semi-finals, it was admiral how Mark Sampson’s team picked themselves up and secured a third place finish at the tournament. In the third place playoff they managed to defeat Germany 1-0 to finish the tournament on a high note thanks to a http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/womens-world-cup-2015-england-go-ahead-against-germany-in-third-place-play-off-10366638.html 107th minute penalty scored by midfield dynamo, Fara Williams</a>. The result meant that this was England’s most successful World Cup campaign since Bobby Moore lifted the trophy in 1966.

But regardless of the devastating way the team went out,http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/01/womens-world-cup-heartbreaking-own-goal-kills-englands-dreams through a Laura Bassett 92nd minute own goal, the nation rallied behind the team. Women’s football got a huge boost from Sampson’s brave squad and the way they went about their business, who unlike their male counterparts who have become perennial underachievers at major tournaments over the years. Not since Glenn Hoddle’s ‘98 England side have the men’s team put up a significant challenge to win any silverware.

So it begs the question, has this motivated the men’s team to performed better? With Roy Hodgson’s side winning 10 out of 10 games in their European qualifying group, some might say, yes. It’s about time that as a nation we performed to the best of our abilities at an international tournament. And if the Lionesses showed anything in North America it was that with a bit of grit and determination, anything is possible.

http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/women/ The women now find themselves 5th in the FIFA World Rankings thanks to their impressive showing in Canada. With the men’s team officially seeded in the upcoming draw for the European Championships, they can take a lot of pointers from the women’s team as they look to win the Euros for the first time in our history.

What Roy Hodgson’s team should remember, is that regardless if they aren’t favourites to overcome their opposition, even if they don’t win, they should go out on their shields.https://betting.betfair.com/football/womens-world-cup/japan-v-england-womens-world-cup-semi-final-betting-tips-010715-39.html Even though the women’s team may have overachieved in Canada, it’s through their resilience and heart that got them so far in the tournament, and the men’s team should definitely go into their upcoming trip to France next summer with the same mentality if they want to make an impression in the tournament.

 

JBG? Comment on FA Statement regarding Malky Mackay and Iain Moody.

           JBG? Comment on FA Statement regarding Malky Mackay and Iain Moody.

Just A Ball Game? (JBG?)  who raise awareness around LGBT inclusion and challenge what is seen as homophobia or anti-gay,are very disappointed (but not surprised) that The Football Association (FA) has after a long investigation in line with the FA's own anti-discrimination policies taken the decision not to charge former Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic manager Malky Mackay and Iain Moody, a former employee of Cardiff and Crystal Palace, for alleged racist, antisemitic, sexist and homophobic comments revealed by the Daily Mail in August 2014.

We at JBG? want to see all football authorities take a zero tolerance to all discrimination within the game.

The Football Association (FA) announced that Malky Mackay and Iain Moody are not being charged for alleged racist, antisemitic, sexist and homophobic comments. See the FA statement here: 

"The FA has undertaken a thorough and detailed investigation in connection with inappropriate language contained within text messages and an email sent by Iain Moody, and text messages sent by Malky Mackay when they were employed by Cardiff City FC.

The messages, sent between June 2011 and March 2014, were obtained by Cardiff City FC in March 2014. The FA first became aware of the messages in August 2014. The messages were provided in full to The FA in October 2014.
To date, The FA’s policy in cases such as this has been to not bring charges in respect of private communications sent with a legitimate expectation of privacy.
The FA’s investigation looked at all aspects of the communications, including the context in which the communications were sent. The evidence was then reviewed by a QC with particular expertise in sports’ disciplinary proceedings and employment law.
Having assessed the evidence, and in light of the finding that the communications were sent with a legitimate expectation of privacy, The FA will not be taking disciplinary action against Iain Moody and Malky Mackay in connection with the content of those messages.
However, The FA has spoken to both Iain Moody and Malky Mackay about the inappropriateness of terms used in the messages. Both individuals have acknowledged that such terms are not acceptable. Mr Mackay has also voluntarily undertaken equality and diversity training.
The FA is in the process of carrying out a complex review involving all stakeholders on how communications, and in particular those involving discriminatory language, which may be viewed as taking place in private should be treated in the future.
The English game remains determined to eliminate discriminatory conduct in all its forms and will look to introduce a policy on private conduct that underpins the collective commitment of stakeholders to make this happen.
Wider review
In addition to investigating the context in which the communications referred to above were sent, The FA has conducted an investigation to establish whether Iain Moody and Malky Mackay engaged in discriminatory behaviour during their time at Cardiff City FC.
The FA has pursued every lead and encouraged anybody who wanted to provide information or evidence to do so. Malky Mackay and Iain Moody have been interviewed at length and 27 potential witnesses, based in the UK and overseas, have been spoken to.
All of the information and evidence gathered during this process has been carefully assessed, with the assistance of a QC. At this stage no disciplinary charges will be brought against either Malky Mackay or Iain Moody in respect of their conduct whilst they were employed by Cardiff City FC.
The FA has reached its decisions based on the information and evidence currently available to it. Should more information or evidence come to light then The FA reserves the right to bring disciplinary action as appropriate.
Other developments in The FA’s investigation
The FA has at all stages sought to conclude this matter as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the investigation has been lengthened considerably due to serious concerns about the circumstances in which particular evidence provided to The FA had been given and the reliability and completeness of that evidence.
The nature of these concerns, which The FA treats with the utmost seriousness, has necessitated significant further inquiries by The FA and the liaison with external law enforcement agencies.
The FA reserves the right to open further investigations if deemed appropriate. No further comment will be made in this respect."

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2015 CANADA- OUT PROUD and KICKING

                       JUST A BALL GAME?     MEDIA RELEASE.                                       

---

                   

                                                                                                                             ©   2011-2018.

---

                                                          

                                          OUT,PROUD and KICKING.

 It seems like stigma and prejudice around women playing football has been around forever as the sport fails annually in delivering on Equality Inclusion and Diversity. 

 

This year’s Women’s World Cup in Canada will showcase elite players from across the globe, many of whom in the competition will for the first time be paid a wage (of sorts) to train and compete professionally.

While the men’s professional game has been reluctant to be fully inclusive and supportive of anyone within the game who identifies as LGBT its generally regarded that football is much more accepting of women who are lesbian or bisexual. But exactly how true is this?

With society in general a little more accepting of homosexuality these days, players are out to team mates, coaches and managers in numbers compared to say 10-15 years ago. But still very few playing at the highest level are out and proud publicly meaning they can be seen as much needed role models for young people to look up to and aspire too.

Asking why this is, we at Just A Ball Game? (JBG?) have been given a number of reasons. Some state it’s a non-issue, some are ‘out’ to their team but not to family members or friends, some are not out to work colleagues, some still fear being vocal about sexuality will affect endorsements or chances of being selected for team or country. Others quiet simply want to keep their private life just so, and others see a need to protect partners or family from bigotry or abuse

In celebration of those women’s players who have spoken to the media openly about their sexuality, here at JBG? we have produced a double sided poster of 14 players and a coach who will feature for their International sides in the tournament in Canada all of whom are OUT, PROUD and KICKING.

Coach:

Pia Sundhage-Sweden:

A former Sweden International Pia told the media, "There has been no problem for me to be openly gay as head coach in the USA team." She went on to say that she and her partner received a solid welcome in the U.S. "If people ask me about it”,  I answer “Yes I’m gay and that’s how it is. I’ve never come across any trouble for it as a coach in the United States or anywhere.  It was tough when I was twenty-years-old in Sweden, but even then I didn’t care.  This is me. Take it or leave it."

Players:

Nadine Angerer-Germany:

Nadine was quoted with this line when the DBF announced it was sending a pro-gay leaflet to all 26k clubs in Germany, “I want to tell you to come out, please. It’s really important we respect ourselves.”

Erin McLeod-Canada:

The Houston Dash keepers relationship with Ella Masar was very openly announced in a heartfelt blog story by Ella, and there is lots of love between them on social media.

Casey Stoney-England:

Arsenal defender Casey and long term girlfriend and former team mate Megan Harris have baby twins together.

Lianne Sanderson-England:

Arsenal and former Boston Breakers striker Lianne has always been very honest around her personal life while playing in the UK and US and has spoken about how great it is to be yourself and open to fans who meet her after games.

Abby Wambach-USA:

Team captain and all time record goal scorer  for the USA  Abby married former player (and Athlete Ally) Sarah Huffman in Hawaii 2013.

Megan Rapinoe-USA:

Megan ‘came out’ in the media prior to playing in the 2012 London Olympic Games stating:

“I just felt like I was leaving something out and omitting something and not being 100 percent truthful. Even though I never lied about anything. The world is sort of presumably straight, so I think I wasn’t wanting to be assumed [to be straight] or have people believe that. I’m obviously very proud of who I am. I couldn’t be happier with who I am. It was something that was important to me.”

As well as a footballer Megan is an advocate for a number of LGBT organisations.

Caroline Seger-Sweden:

Caroline as a 17 year old felt ashamed to be lesbian and tried to hide her relationships. Today she speaks out about it helping other young LGBT’s who may struggle with their sexuality.

Hedvig Lindahl-Sweden:

The Chelsea keeper openly speaks about her girlfriend and son in interviews for the media.

Katie Duncan-New Zealand:

Recently married her girlfriend (former New Zealand player Priscilla Duncan) and now plays in Switzerland to be with her new bride who works in Zurich.

Isabell Herlovsen-Norway:

She came out as a teenager saying it felt very natural to her and wanted to be true to herself, her family and friends have been supportive and she thinks it’s important to be open publicly.

Trine Ronning-Norway:

The 29-year-old defender made her debut on the national team in 1999. In 2009 she became team vice-captain. In January 2009, she married teammate Kristin Blystad Bjerke shortly after same-sex marriage became legal in Norway.

Nilla Fischer-Sweden:

Married her girlfriend Maria Michaela in 2013, she was named ‘gay of the year 2014’ in Sweden and is an official ambassador for the Stockholm EuroGames in 2015.

Lisa Dahlkvist-Sweden:

Team mate of Seger, Lindahl and Fischer Lisa who came out publicly back in 2008

Michelle Heyman-Australia:

Michelle another athlete whose quite open with her personal life on social media and says she really has never been in the closet and there was no real big revelation. It’s a non-issue for her, for her team mates. It’s a non-story.

    

ARE LESBIAN NIGERIAN FOOTBALLERS SILENCED BY LAW TO ALLOW THEM TO COMPETE AT 2015 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP?

ArE Lesbian Nigerian footballers silenced by law to allow them to compete at 2015 Women’s world Cup?

Is it time for FIFA to stand up and be counted and insist on fairy play and ethics for all at the Women’s World Cup to be held in Canada 2015?

Last night (07.12.14) saw millions of people the world over watch the draw for the group games of the WWC 2015 and Nigeria will face USA, Australia and Sweden in group D. The Canadians also held the Women’s U20’s World Cup earlier this year and saw Germany beat Nigeria 1-0 in the final, but the silence from FIFA was defining on allowing the Super Falcon’s side to compete at all despite FIFA in 2013 stating they would investigate fully should a ruling be brought in around forbiddance of their players to be openly homosexual with the expected signing of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition Bill) into Nigerian law. 

The introduction of this law also means that Nigeria’s players who engage in nothing more than conversation, share a visit to watch a game or who participate with in duties alongside fellow competitors in the Women’s World Cup (many of whom are publically open about their sexual orientation) or engage with fans who are from an LGBT community will be breaking the said law.

Part of the Act reads: “A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations; directly or indirectly makes public show of same sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment, and anyone convicted of entering into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union faces up to 14 years imprisonment.”

That law came into effect dated 7^th January 2014 when it was signed by Nigeria’s President -Goodluck Jonathan.

Around four years ago news began to break that a coach of Nigeria’s International Women’s Football had sacked lesbian players from the team. A few months later this news was confirmed when Super Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche stirred the hornets’ nest when she made a remark regarding her position on ‘lesbianism’ during the lead up to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“Yes, the lesbians in our team were really a big problem,” she said. “But since I am coach of the Super Falcons, that has been cleared up. There are no more lesbians on my team; I cannot tolerate this dirty life.” 

For her bluntness, she drew the ire of FIFA and a number of international gay groups. She was cautioned by the world football governing body, which through its head of Women’s competition, Tatjana Haenni said, “FIFA is against all forms of discrimination”.

The Nigeria Football Federation NFF in 2013 denied  that Uche had stated any of this and also commented that they had  not been under any FIFA probe or query.
The NFF’s Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, was also quoted to have said.
“We all know of these vices, because lesbianism has become a thing of common knowledge that the female footballers no more hide it among themselves. However, those who indulge in the nasty act had promised to stop it and the NFF is putting measures in place to ensure that they keep to their promises.”

One former Nigerian football player, Chichi Igbo who is openly lesbian and not ashamed of her sexual orientation who now plays in Denmark says “I know how different I am. I love me just the way I am with all my imperfections and flaws and I owe nobody any explanation and won’t apologise for who I am.” Unfortunately none of her LGBT colleagues based in Nigeria are able to do the same and speak out.

Former National Athletics coach, Amelia Edet and Football coach, Joy Etim have been unanimous in their support for the bill.
“I think the President is doing the right thing because it (homosexuality) is something that is so common. It’s an old thing that has always been, even in sports; but it is not something that should be accepted. It is a welcome development and it is left for us as Nigerians to say that we are supporting the decision that he is taking,” Edet said.

Etim agreed. “It (homosexuality) should be criminalized. We want people to know that it is not good for sports men and women because if not tackled on time, it will become as widespread as cultism in Nigerian higher institutions”, she said.
Coach Edet agrees that a high number of female athletes engage in lesbianism, going by her years of experience with the Falcons and female track and field athletes.
“I had a problem when I was with the first set of our female footballers because some of them happened to be lesbians.” 

Football coach, Etim agreed that the trend is widespread in sports. She however voiced fears at the early age some players now get involved in the act. “They need to be lectured about what lesbianism is and to be told that it is bad. It is rampant”, she said.
“I happened to interview some girls who came from outside Lagos and these girls were from a village and I had to tell them what it means and the repercussions that follow. Some of them are as young as 13 years. If you want to know them, they look and walk like boys, and even call themselves ‘Fine boys’ and you will know who plays the role of the male and the role of the female.”
Etim said, “I played football during the mid-eighties to early nineties and it wasn’t common during our time. But now it is too much. When I served as a coach with the national team, I heard there were a lot of them in the team but I was more focused on the technical aspect of the job.
“It is likely that it was going on but because they were big girls, they wouldn’t do it where I will see them.  Some of them would even go as far as paying for hotels outside the camp so there was little anyone could do.

Dilichukwu Onyedinma, was appointed by the NFF in October (2014) as deputy head of Fair play and Ethics, and is the person who caused international controversy with her campaign to drive lesbians out of Nigerian football a year ago when she stated: “Yeah, we don’t tolerate lesbianism and we always discuss it whenever we meet. We always warn clubs and club chairmen, to please tell their players to desist from it, because any player that we pick for national competitions, and we hear a little story that is involved in that, we disqualify the player.” 

As of yet nothing has been explained as to how Onyedinma’s views and discriminatory actions can be reconciled with her duties as deputy head of the NFF Committee of Ethics and Fair Play and Article Three of the FIFA Statutes which aim to abolish all forms of discrimination in football.
FIFA : “Discrimination of any kind against a Country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”

Is it not now time for FIFA to take a zero tolerance towards member countries and their employees who are seen to be discriminatory on many occasions and bring in sanctions against these people and ultimately the country FA’s and ban them from competing on the world’s greatest stage in football of a World Cup Finals?