‘Male aggression’ claim by Hayes only hurts women’s game
IT was disappointing to see the spat on Sunday between Chelsea’s Emma Hayes and Arsenal’s Jonas Eidevall. Chelsea boss Hayes shoved Gunners counterpart Eidevall at the final whistle of the Women’s League Cup final in response to what she claimed was ‘male aggression’ on the side of the pitch. There is no denying there was inappropriate behaviour on both sides but by bringing gender into the debate, Hayes diminished her argument. We want women’s football to be valued, taken seriously and held to the same standards as the men’s game. Eidevall’s behaviour, clashing with Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert over match balls, was out of order and he should be sanctioned. But there’s no need to bring the fact he’s a man into it. For Hayes, who is making waves as a manager, to reference the fact he is male does not help or advance the women’s game.
In fact, much the opposite.
This is a slippery slope. Imagine if it was the other way round and Eidevall had labelled Hayes as exhibiting female ‘moodiness’ or a lack of emotional control. Resorting to such lazy stereotypes is not helpful to anyone. Criticising someone by commenting on their gender, race, nationality or physical appearance, alongside the original complaint, just makes things worse.
A coach intimidated a player. End of story. His behaviour was unacceptable because it was unacceptable, not because he’s a man.
This is one of the challenges the women’s game faces simply by having men involved. Is anyone asking for a women’s only game? Maybe that should be the case to avoid these scenarios. Maybe we don’t want the best jobs in the women’s game going to men when we should be delivering more female coaches. Women should undoubtedly be able to develop their game, hone and train their skillset and progress — but at the exclusion of all men? I’m not sure anyone really wants that. Or maybe they do? The women’s game needs to move through the gears and bring in greater commercial sponsorships to grow. I’ve always been a strong advocate for meritocracy but I also believe the women’s game needs support and nurturing to help players become coaches. Hayes has not helped this cause. She crossed the line by making this a men-versus-women issue.
So, deep breaths everyone and let’s sort out unprofessional and undesirable behaviour without resorting to playground name-calling.
▪ Listen to White and Jordan every weekday on talkSport from 10am-1pm