Sexism in the stands
Warning: The following article contains language and content of a sexist nature.
Conor Wilkinson has just scored a breath-taking, last-minute volley for Walsall as they draw 3-3 with Newport County, scenes football is all about.
There is pandemonium in the stands, fans are going wild, and the players have jumped in to celebrate with their supporters on a dramatic New Year’s Day.
But sat amongst them is a 16-year-old girl who has experienced one of the saddest days of being a football supporter.
A festive fixture which, for Madi Highfield, brought more excitement than usual, came crashing down, as sexism in the stands was rife.
A day that was supposed to bring excitement
The New Year’s Day fixture often sees an increased crowd and is one that many fans look for when the fixture list is announced.
Rebecca Welch, who made history in April 2021 by becoming the first female referee to officiate in the EFL, was on duty at the game.
This was the first ever Walsall match to be officiated by a female referee and the prospect of seeing female representation live, at a men’s football game, excited Madi.
“It really, really did. I searched her up and saw who she was and that she hadn’t reffed that many games.
“I was quite excited, because I thought ‘that could be me one day involved with this’.”
However, during the game, gender specific chants from the supporters were aimed towards the referee, and Madi was sat in the middle of it all.
‘The worst game I have ever been to’
The initial excitement of seeing a history making referee quickly turned sour.
Comments such as ‘if you get your t*ts out we’ll forgive that decision’, and ‘can’t see the game through all that mascara’ took criticism of an official to a different level.
This made the young season ticket holder feel extremely isolated:
“I have never heard the comments made, the way they were, that extreme. It was definitely the worst experience I have had at the club”
Experiencing this language in the stands left Madi feeling like she was unable to even get up and move stands to try and escape it:
“It was so uncomfortable hearing these things, there was just so many people crowding around. It is overwhelming how nervous it makes you.
“It was the worst game I have been to, just to sit there any not feel like I can say anything or express how I was feeling because of the comments being made.”
When asked about the prospect of being at another game with a female referee, she said:
“I am dreading to see if we have a female referee again. To sit there through ninety minutes again with that feeling, I think I would have to leave because it is that uncomfortable.”
“I couldn’t handle it.”
What have the club done to tackle sexism since
Walsall were quick to react and have put more measures in place to help if these types of incidents occur again.
They have put in place an anonymous text service for all types of discrimination, as well as posting regularly on social media channels with anti-discrimination messages.
Sexism or any other forms of discrimination will not be tolerated at the Banks’s Stadium!
A reminder, if you see or hear any discrimination at the stadium, you can report it via our text service pic.twitter.com/PfpGh2q5jE
— Walsall FC Official (@WFCOfficial) March 8, 2022
Walsall had already partnered with Her Game Too, and have put their signage around the stadium, along with posters highlighting the text service.
The campaign, which aims to kick sexism out of football, has grown, and has now partnered with over 100 clubs across the pyramid in both men’s and women’s football.
Madi was also interviewed for a matchday programme, and their game on 12th March against Sutton United was a Her Game Too dedicated match.
Showing strength despite the challenge
Drawing inspiration from the achievements of Emma Hayes, Madi has already started along a path that is leading towards a career in coaching:
“I coach a Division One, U-12 girls’ team at a local grassroots club and I have helped at 3–7-year-old mini kickers and U14 boys. I am currently studying my level 1 coaching and level 3 football management and sports coaching.”
On top of the sexism whilst watching Walsall, Madi has experienced it at work, being told she would never make it as a coach, because she is female.
To add to this, during a throwing and catching demonstration in front of very young school children, a male colleague stopped Madi, saying disparagingly “Women can’t catch.”
Despite how difficult these moments have been for Madi, the 16-year-old has a determination to succeed and prove people wrong.
Her Game Too have also been a big inspiration for the Walsall fan, who wants to try and follow them by encouraging women to attend football matches and show that football is a game for all.
