I’d like to preface this by saying I generally try to keep my football and my feminism separate. Even just this past weekend I had some conversations with members of my supporters group (Pid Army!) and other people close to me trying to hash out where organizations like Women United FC fit into both supporter culture at our club and into my life in general. I’m not denying that there is sexism (or racism, or homophobia) in MLS because there clearly is (I’m getting to that), I just couldn’t imagine that my (very positive) experience as a female supporter (or as I like to call it “a supporter” because my gender is of no consequence in this situation) in Colorado could be the exception to the rule.
Yesterday, this article surfaced after the Manchester Derby, and I was appalled by the fact that nearly every comment was racist, sexist, homophobic, or some horrific combination of the three, but these comments aren’t from fans of the Beautiful Game, these comments are from fans who don’t GET the Beautiful Game. The reaction to these comments was overwhelmingly one of disappointment and anger at the ignorance of the posters. In fact, various fan-based organizations involved in some way with Major League Soccer have been working on great initiatives to make sure these types of comments are NOT coming from within; Gay4Soccer is on a quest to identify Soccer Allies to stand with GLBT players and supporters, the Independent Supporter’s Council has teamed with supporters at the local level to take on racism with its “Show Racism the Red Card” initiative, Chicago’s Section 8 did a really great tifo celebrating the diversity of their organization… In a lot of ways, (even if MLS as an institution isn’t involved) supporters within this league are doing some progressive things and taking some really good steps toward inclusion and respect for supporters from all walks of life.
Despite these great steps, after joining Women United FC, I became aware of the fact that many women still feel excluded or at least not fully accepted as fans of the Beautiful Game, and (again, probably due to the positive experiences I’ve been fortunate to have) I couldn’t fully wrap my head around what was going on elsewhere in the league to cause them to feel this way. And then Simon Borg opened his mouth.
On this week’s ExtraTime Radio podcast, MLS writer Simon Borg took it upon himself to offer some thoughts on women as soccer fans, saying:
“It’s fine if you’re a female and you want to be a super-fan. Clearly go for it, that’s your choice. But there is something to be said for how appealing that might be to the other sex. Having a woman that’s such a fan, like painting your face, tuning in to every podcast. I don’t know how many males would be into that…. It’s great that in Kansas City there are a lot of women in the stands, it’s great, but for the guy who wants maybe a serious relationship… If you are following just casually, but if you’re such a die-hard, I don’t know, it comes a point that it is a bit of a turn-off.”
The story has really blown up today; there has been a huge outpouring of support for Women United FC and its members, women soccer fanatics in general, and some kind words for me personally, because people realize the implications of these statements are ridiculous.
The focus of the reaction to his comments has been primarily on the implication that being a female “super fan” is unattractive to men. Twitter has exploded today with stories of men who love their super fan wives, men simply expressing that they don’t agree with Borg, men saying girls that like soccer are hot, women saying that they know they’re hot regardless of what Borg says….and that’s all well and good but there’s a bigger issue at work here.
For me, the most outrageous part of Borg’s comments is the message that a man wanting to be diehard supporter is fine because “boys will be boys” but that a woman should consider how the way she supports her club is perceived by men. That women who are casual supporters are fine, but that a “super fan” is, basically, undateable, ESPECIALLY if you’re looking for a serious relationship. This is problematic on so many levels, but the biggest problem is that I just don’t see how it’s even relevant.
First off, I don’t appreciate anyone telling me how to support my club. I certainly don’t appreciate Mr. Borg’s suggestion that men can do as they please, but that I need to tone down my support to a level that he finds gender-appropriate, and I think it’s absolutely ludicrous that I’m supposed to do said toning down in order to attract a man. The point of football is not to find a mate. That seems pretty obvious to me, but if that’s why Mr. Borg thinks female soccer fans are there, let me spell it out for you.
I. Love. Soccer.
And I don’t love soccer in any way that is fundamentally different from the way a man loves soccer.
I get pure joy out of watching soccer. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I love the tactics and the statistics and all the little intricacies of the game. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I support my team by yelling and singing and chanting and cheering for the full 90. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I watch 5 or 6am Premier League games in my pajamas on the couch and I watch 8 or 9am Premier League games at the pub with a full English breakfast. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I pitch in where I can to help my supporters group and grow the game. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I am fascinated by the economics, politics and inner workings of soccer organizations from FIFA down to supporters groups. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
My heart soars every time my team nets a goal or hoists a trophy and it breaks every time we don’t play to our potential or we lose. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I get an overwhelming sense of pride when a player kisses the crest. And that has nothing to do with my gender.
I am fully aware that Simon Borg is clearly in the minority in his opinions, but just as grassroots efforts have taken hold to address racism and homophobia in our league, we need to make it known that these sorts of comments are unacceptable, and that’s why I have to refuse to just sit back and let this situation unfold. I look forward to Women United FC’s contribution to ExtraTime Radio’s show next week and appreciate the atmosphere of support that has surfaced over the last 24 hours. If anything, Borg’s attempts to marginalize have actually highlighted the receptiveness of supporters in this league.
I love football because it is a beautiful, beautiful game. It is the world’s game, and it has the power to bring people together. In a country where soccer is gaining traction against the odds, we don’t need people on the inside creating superficial divisions.
(image courtesy of Drew McKenzie/Sportspress Northwest)
