C4 news England Women's Team

[saveforthat]

There are now questions about why there are no black players in the team or subs. Jesus can't we just enjoy women doing well instead of bringing race into everything.

Well no one is suggesting that we should be choosing anyone but the best players to compete. But the question is whether black and brown girls are being given the same opportunities (or whether there are barriers to them playing) when they are younger.

The black girl interviewed on the news said that it was hard to think that it was a possibility for her and her friends to ever make the team when there is no one who looks like her on the team.

So we need to do away with the idea that you need role models who look like / same skin colour as you ?

She doesn’t sound like the sharpest tool in the box.

I don't really care but it's hard not to notice all the players are white (and a suprising number blonde at that).

Yes, go to England and look around. 86% of people are white, a lot of them blonde too! The team has a couple of non-white players which is completely representative of the population.

I read interview with Rachel Yankey about her experience as a black player. It was part of a piece on grassroots and talent pathways potentially not being inclusive enough and black players maybe not feeling like football was for them. It was very interesting.

Racism in football is on the increase.

What? Have you actually said that? A black girl was commenting about her personal experience of football and you have said she isn't the sharpest tool in the box?! God.

There are also no plus-size women. I’d not be surprised if there isn’t some sinister reason behind this, too.

Perhaps have a look at the recent past women players who now are doing fabulous work in the BBC presenting the footie, the one show, making their own programmes about footie and so on

Yes, someone who thinks that a role model needs to be the same colour as her has issues.

Let's not forget that there was a problem with racism - that the FA totally stuck their heads in the sand about - with the last but one trainer. That has an effect.

And come on - we KNOW that representation matters. I can't believe a bunch of women are trying to pretend they don't get that.

Anyway, I'm happy because due to circs i can't now lose on Sunday (or i can't win, but I'm a glass-half-full kind of gal). And I've nearly finished reading this, which also has a section about racism in (English women's) football. It's a good read.

www.goodreads.com/book/show/59641434-a-woman-s-game

Brefugee

There is still a problem with racism in football, taking the knee is nothing but virtue signalling.

And yes I agree that representation matters, and I am not going to repeat what I posted earlier.

But its very interesting that those that brought this up are being very quiet about one of the two teams that are in the final.

I wouldn't worry op. Since the fa have said maled who have a 'feamle gender identity' are game for playing as women we'll be lucky if we have any actual.women of any colour left in the next decade.
Exhibit a. From England university team.
Strapping six footer male. What an inclusive choice for the women's team.

There's been plenty of black women playing for England in the past. Alex Scott for instance. No shortage of black women playing football at a lower level, I think it's probably just an anomaly that there are no black women in the current squad. It's noticeable due to the amount of black male players in the mens squad, no-one ever comments on the lack of British Asians in football and there are more Asian people in the country than there are black people.

Or on thé under-representation of white men in the England team, or in the sprints in athletics, or in boxing.

But its very interesting that those that brought this up are being very quiet about one of the two teams that are in the final.

Go on. Say it. Say what it is that you want to say about the Germans.
We are talking about the England team here. The Germans didn't have an issue with their last but one trainer and racism. There are issues around the German squad. But we're not talking about them, we're talking about England.

And yet England has an over representation of non-white players yet is being criticised.

I think its disgraceful they brought this up NOW, what a way to bring down the team for something thats not their fault.

Some English people seem to hate England doing well, at anything, and in their anger are casting around for something to be critical about.

Brefugee

I don't have an issue with the German squad, but then I don't have an issue with the England squad either.

I do have an issue with hypocrisy and if diversity in football is important then it is important for all countries.

safetyfreak & MsFrenchie

I agree that we find it far too easy and acceptable to denigrate those that have done and are doing well.

I do have an issue with hypocrisy and if diversity in football is important then it is important for all countries.

That is daft. Different countries have different cultures and so on. Hungary for eg.

they actually do have discussions about diversity in football here in Germany but mostly about the men's team because they get all the oxygen.

Frankly? I want the England team to do well (and honestly? also the German team) but i get why they were having this conversation because the team has had several black players in the past and now regularly fields an all white squad. The point about bringing it up now when they're doing well? Sure, i get that. But how often is there any/much talk about women's football? It just doesn't get talked about in the mainstream media that much.

There's been a massive shift in academy football in recent years. The academy training camps have moved out to the leafy suburbs and are far less accessible to players from the inner cities, often not on public transport routes. Minority groups tend to live in urban areas, so are already finding it harder to access training at elite level.

Many of the English women players have also been through the US university system. Uprooting to a foreign country can be a fabulous experience if this is what you want to do, but it's not accessible or desirable for everyone, and certainly not a route the male players need to take to access training and facilities.

The Lionesses have been absolutely outstanding. They thoroughly deserve their success and their athleticism and skills are a joy to watch. Football needs to reflect on how accessible their sport is to all (as do many other sports). Reaching elite level is beyond the pockets of many families and talent is going wasted.

I thought the C4 report was spot on. When I saw the women's team my first thought was that they all looked white. Lots of blond hair which is strange because there are more black and mixed in men's.