Fears for women’s pro game
THE future of the professional women’s game is under threat from the coronavirus outbreak, just months after becoming a household hit.
Around 12 million TV viewers watched the England Lionesses’ World Cup semi-final defeat against the USA last summer – a record for women’s football in the UK.
The Women’s Super League has been flourishing with huge crowds watching games at the big Premier League venues like Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Brighton’s Amex Stadium.
Personalities like Steph Houghton and Ellen White have been making back page headlines alongside their male counterparts.
But FIFPRO, which represents both men and women players worldwide, has produced a report which reveals that the women’s game is more vulnerable in the current lockdown.
The key concerns are that most leagues have only been in operation for a short spell of time.
Many players are on short-term contracts, so their futures are at risk.
Sponsorship deals, even though they are not nearly as lucrative as those in the men’s game, could be scrapped due to the uncertain economic future.
And the momentum which has been building up in recent seasons has come to a standstill.
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-hoffmann said: “We have seen the postponement of international tournaments.
“The women’s game still needs to have those big public events like a World Cup, the Olympics and Euros because these events are massive platforms helping players build their careers.”
FIFPRO’S chief women’s football officer Amanda Vandervort added: “We do have deep concerns about the investment in the women’s game being reduced or withdrawn.”
England striker Jodie Taylor said: “I don’t think anybody feels safe at this time. It’s a stressful reality.”