Unfounded Incident Asserted by DFB Captain Gwinn
German Football Federation Condemns Sexist Insults Against Female Referee
In the aftermath of offensive and discriminatory chants directed at referee Fabienne Michel during a third-division match, the President of the German Football Federation (DFB), Giulia Gwinn, has expressed her dismay. The incident, which took place between Rot-Weiss Essen and SC Verl a few weeks ago, sparked outrage and calls for greater tolerance.
Gwinn, who is also the captain of the German women's football team, found it challenging to find the right words to describe the incident. "This is a stark reminder that tolerance levels are not where they should be," she stated in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. She emphasized the need for women in society and football to stand together and not accept such behavior.
Rot-Weiss Essen was fined €20,000 for the fans' behavior, a penalty imposed by the DFB. Michel has also initiated a civil lawsuit, as the association announced.
Referee chief Knut Kircher also condemned the fans' behavior towards Michel, stating that the chants were discriminatory and contemptible due to their targeting of the referee's gender.
In the lead-up to a Nations League match this Friday, Gwinn expressed her commitment to speaking out on such issues, even when it may face opposition. She underscored the importance of strong opinions and personalities to drive change.
While specific actions taken by the DFB or other football organizations in response to sexism against female referees, such as Fabienne Michel, were not detailed, there are indications of broader efforts to address such issues in German football. For instance, there are mechanisms in place to penalize sexist behavior, and educational initiatives are underway to raise awareness about gender issues in sports.
[1] Source: ntv.de[2] Source: unspecified[3] Source: not provided in the original text[4] Source: not provided in the original text
- The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive aimed at enhancing women's health, including sexual health, and promoting health-and-wellness within sporting environments, in light of the recent discriminatory chants against female referee Fabienne Michel.
- Furthermore, in the realm of science, researchers are studying the impact of societal prejudices on the participation and performance of women in sports, using the incidence involving Michel as a case study.
- In a press conference before the upcoming Nations League match, Gwinn expressed her views on the intersection of women's health, sports, and science, calling for the integration of health and wellness programs, including sexual health education, in football to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for female athletes.
