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Date Published
March 08, 2022

MPs, football groups and equality organisations are among those who have signed up in support of an open letter to the Premier League and FA by The End Violence Against Women Coalition, Level Up and The Three Hijabis, the campaigners announced today (8th March 2022).

This groundswell of support bolsters calls for the FA and the Premier League to meaningfully tackle gender-based violence as International Women’s Day is marked across the country. Signatories are wide ranging and  include Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of Women and Equalities Select Committee, the frontman of the band Chumbawumba – famous for their football anthem Tubthumping, the Football Supporters Association and many organisations dedicated to ending inequality and supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse.   

Following multiple arrests and charging of high profile football players for domestic and sexual abuse, as well as protests from fans at the signing of a known rapist, it’s time for the FA and Premier League to show which side they’re on when it comes to violence against women and girls. 

The letter calls on the CEOs of the Premier League and the Football Association to take action against gender-based violence by committing to action across all clubs, and last week a meeting took place with the Premier League who stated:

“Level Up, The Three Hijabis and the EVAW Coalition had a constructive and open meeting with the Premier League to discuss gender-based violence and football. This meeting was the first of many, and we look forward to working together to create meaningful change.”

The male dominated football industry has for too long escaped scrutiny of the significant role it has in shaping the behaviours and attitudes towards women and girls, in both their players and their fans. Now is the time for change. 

Seyi Falodun-Liburd, Co-director of Level Up, said:

“We’re very encouraged to see that the open letter has started a dialogue with the Premier League – but this is just the beginning. This will be about shifting a culture of misogyny and impunity that is deeply ingrained within football, and society at large, so there’s a lot of work to do. Hopefully, The FA will follow the Premier League’s lead, and begin to meaningfully engage with the issue.”

The Three Hijabis said: 

“Football belongs to all of us, to the fans, without us, there is no game. Over the past weeks we’ve seen football step up and say “no to war” and stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and a new wave of refugees created in Europe. We know football can transform and change society and lives – when it wants to, our 1.2 million signature anti-racism campaign shows this. We call on the FA and Premier League to work with our feminist coalition to end gender based violence and to ensure football is truly the beautiful game.”

Andrea Simon, Director of The End Violence Against Women Coalition, said:

“International Women’s Day is about celebrating the progress we have made towards gender equality but also marking how far there is to go. Men and boys are integral to creating change and football, with its huge influence and massive following cannot shy away from their responsibility. The FA and Premier League have to be part of the conversation and directing their vast resource and power to ensuring their players and fans stand united against the ugly underside of violence against women that blights the beautiful game.”

See below for full list of signatories:

  1. Allan Dorans MP
  2. Beyond Equality
  3. Caroline Nokes MP, Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee 
  4. Caroline Lucas MP
  5. Charlotte Nichols MP
  6. Chayn
  7. Chelsea Pride
  8. Dawn Butler MP
  9. Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services
  10. Diana Johnson MP, Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee
  11. Dr Helen Mott
  12. Dunstan Bruce, Frontman of Chumbawumba
  13. Equality Now
  14. Football Beyond Borders
  15. Football Supporters Association
  16. Gavin Newlands MP
  17. Glitch
  18. Good Night Out
  19. Harriet Harman MP
  20. Her Centre Ltd
  21. HOPE not Hate
  22. Juries Understanding Rape is Essential (JURIES)
  23. Kate Osborne MP
  24. Kop Outs
  25. Leicester Rape Crisis
  26. Miranda Hovarth, University of Suffolk
  27. Network of Eritrean Women – UK
  28. Professor Aisha K. Gill PhD CBE 
  29. Proud Cherries (AFC Bournemouth’s official LGBT+ supporter group)
  30. Proud Lilywhites
  31. Rape Crisis England & Wales
  32. Rape Crisis South London
  33. Refuge
  34. Respond
  35. Sarah Champion MP
  36. Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
  37. Stella Creasy MP
  38. Survivors Network
  39. This Fan Girl
  40. Virendra Sharma MP
  41. Welsh Women’s Aid
  42. Wera Hobhouse MP
  43. White Ribbon UK
  44. Women’s Aid Federation England 
  45. Women’s Equality Party
  46. women@thewell
  47. Zarah Sultana MP

ENDS

Media contact

Sinead Geoghegan, Communications Manager, sinead.geoghegan@evaw.org.uk, 07960 744 502

Date Published
March 08, 2022
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