The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Men need to make the running in giving sexism the boot from Scottish football
Policing taught me many things but it was the power of community that always shone through. The prevention of any issue doesn’t start with the police, it starts with each one of us doing what is right.
Sports has always been and always will be at the forefront of social change.
Sport has created togetherness when there has been division. Sport has provided optimism when society needs it most.
Playing sports has helped the UK break down barriers of racism and homophobia.
And sport has also promoted a discussion on men’s role in the prevention of violence against women.
Sport has provided community. And it is within this sense of community that sport can play a role in addressing the sexist attitudes and behaviours that appear all too common in our national game.
The Scottish Football Writers’ Association had to apologise this week after a speaker’s sexist jokes led to a walkout at its annual awards dinner.
A recent debate on the issue in the Scottish Parliament, led by Dundee City West MSP Joe Fitz-Patrick, also made for uncomfortable listening.
However, it was also a conversation that should give us some hope. I see more stamina, especially from men, to discuss these issues.
This past year has been both a reachable and teachable moment for men across the UK.
The murder of Sarah Everard at the hands of Met police officer Wayne Couzens shocked a nation. But it also created a much-needed conversation around the role of men in addressing sexism, misogyny, and violence in all its forms.
During the parliamentary debate, Mr FitzPatrick said “men specifically” need to change their attitudes to female participation in football.
It’s clear much needs to change in football. But I think attitudes are changing and men are wanting to get more involved.
When Clyde signed David Goodwillie in 2017, they knew he had been branded a rapist by a civil court judge.
We saw some protest at his signing, but the backlash really didn’t come to anything.
Fast forward to 2022 when Goodwillie signed for Raith Rovers and the reaction was front page news around the UK.
Public opinion was clear. This signing was wrong and the decision to terminate Goodwillie’s contract was the correct one.
In a recent Courier article, Aberdeen Football Club director Zoe Ogilvie said work was still needed to address sexism in football.
But she also insisted “it’s not all doom and gloom”, adding: “There’s never been a more positive time for the women’s game in Scotland”.
I agree. I am under no illusion that issues remain. However, the stamina I mention above provides a road map towards sustainable change for the betterment of the game and Scottish society.
We need to maintain a focus on the positive. Such an approach empowers others to speak up.
When we don’t know what to do in a situation, we naturally look around to see what other people are doing.
Traditional approaches to behaviour change usually involve an outsider coming in, warning you of the dire consequences of your behaviour and telling you what to do differently. This approach might feel effective but it’s not.
It simply communicates that bad behaviour is the norm. Telling people to go against their peer group never works.
Personally, a better strategy is the reverse. Give people credible evidence that among their peers, good behaviour is the social norm.
By creating these conversations within Scottish football, we will help raise awareness of sexism and wider forms of violence against women and girls.
Importantly we provide men with the reassurance that friends and team-mates support their own healthy views and attitudes.
In my last years in policing, working with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, I was forced to think differently around violence.
In my view a new lens would not only help address sexism in football but also issues of racism and sectarianism which continue to blight the game in Scotland.
What connects all these issues is the silence of bystanders
What connects all these social issues is the silence of bystanders. Building the team will help to make the environment appear less supportive to those who continue to damage the game’s reputation.
As I said, prevention starts in a community. Football isn’t so much the problem, but it can provide the solution.