Philippa Christopher-Browne writes about the barriers of racism and sexism that black women face in football journalism.
The male domination of football makes it very hard for women to break into the industry. When I see a female journalist on a big stage such as the Champions League, or the World Cup, I scream with excitement inside knowing that women are getting recognition in football – or could it be that these few women are simply covering up discrimination in football?
There are some names that come to mind when women in football are mentioned: Natalie Sawyer for her participation in transfer deadline days and Gabby Logan for being the first female host of Match of The Day. It is embarrassing that the mind cannot easily recall more than a few female household names in football, whereas the list of male names is endless.
With this situation still a pressing issue, where is the space for a black female to have a major role in the football industry? White females are just breaking the barrier, so who am I kidding that I will become a successful household name, broadcasting football news to the mass audience? It is possibly just a dream too big.
The lack of black women in the football industry is shocking. Once again only two names come to mind, Hope Powell and Samantha Johnson, and I am sure that most male football fans would still not recognise these names.
There are so many unanswered questions as to why there is a lack of black women in the football industry. Is it because black women are not pursuing a career in football? Or are there many young black women like me working hard towards the goal, but going unnoticed and being drowned out in a white male-dominated industry?
There is certainly space for black women to work in football, particularly women’s football which seems to be getting more recognition and coverage. But who would get the call-up for the job? Could it be that there are not enough women let alone black women who could be put forward to represent women’s football and cover all of the WSL1 and 2 games – except the women who are already high profile in football, or women who come from non-sporting backgrounds with journalistic experience?
It is very unfair but there is no one to blame here if women are not making themselves known to the industry or actively seeking roles within men or women’s football.
However, it is exciting to see women of different races and cultures being celebrated in football; the first and only black woman that I can recall as a football coach was Hope Powell who coached the England squad for 15 years, which is a massive achievement for women in football. In recent years, Annie Zaidi was one of the first Muslim women to gain a coaching certificate from the FA. All of these achievements may not seem very big but I see these as huge alarm bells of change.
I am confident that there has been a positive change in the industry. Slow progress is better than no progress. I already get such great comments and advice from men in the industry so in no time, the face of football will change, not drastically but enough for women and black women like me to participate in football media.