4:18pm Wednesday 5th November 2008
By Jo Rooney
There has been a lot to admire about Paul Ince’s footballing career. A stellar playing record has been backed up by him showing he’s got what it takes in management, too.
He’s been something of a pioneer in many ways, as well – England’s first black captain, succeeding overseas where many have floundered and not being afraid to start managing in the lower leagues, saving Brentford’s League Two rivals Macclesfield from certain relegation two seasons ago.
All of which makes it even more disappointing that, frustrated by Blackburn’s 2-2 stalemate at West Brom on Saturday, he resorted to that tired old observation: “It is not a game for women.”
Actually, yes it is, Mr Ince – and if you look around at Ewood Park, there’ll no doubt be evidence of Blackburn Ladies’ presence in the Tesco Women’s Premier League (imagine that – they’ve even got a major sponsor).
But, even allowing for that moment of ignorance, what exactly did he mean?
When criticised – after trotting out that old chestnut “my comments were taken out of context” – Ince explained he was simply suggesting maybe football has become a bit soft.
He might have a case – Arsene Wenger take note – but his implication that female players are not as capable of withstanding physical punishment as men is offensive.
Can you imagine William Gallas playing for 50 minutes with a broken nose as Faye White did in last year’s World Cup defeat to the US after being caught by a stray elbow?
No, he would’ve been straight off to the nearest plastic surgeon for a touch-up.
Two seasons ago, we had Mike Newell lambasting a female assistant referee for failing to award what he thought was a stonewall penalty and bleating that women had no place in football. Yeah, because it’s not like male linesmen ever get things wrong, is it?
Incidentally, I can’t believe Newell is back in the game – hope the Bees stuff Grimsby in March. But I digress… My point, just to make sure I’m not taken out of context, is it’s about time men stopped using the feminine as their first port of call for insults.
And for those guys writing this off as just another feminist rant, can I remind you that all feminism means is a belief that women should be allowed the same opportunities as men and be treated in the same way.
Change the gender in Ince’s statement – “Give red cards for dangerous and malicious tackles, fair enough. It is not a game for men” – and you start to see how ludicrous his words are.
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