Lucy Bronze wants women in sport to feel “safe”, but admits that the “pitfalls” of popularity have caused new concerns about security for high -profile female athletes.
Recent incidents have put female safety in sport back in the spotlight. The British tennis player Emma Raducanu was left in tears by a man who showed “fixed behavior” during her match at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday. The man was banned from street on Thursday.
Bronze's teammate Millie Bright was the target of abuse during a recent match when a fan criticized her performance after she asked for signatures and photos. Bright went to social media to speak out about the incident.
The Spits of Manchester City Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw withdrew earlier this month from the semi -final of her Side Cup against Arsenal after racist and misogynistic abuse. She later played the Black Power Salute after scoring twice in a WSL match against Liverpool.
In anticipation of the Women's Nations League match of the Lionesses against Portugal on Friday, Bronze was questioned about the safety of female athletes and said: “It is definitely something that players are aware of.
“As a player in England we are probably very happy. Our FA protects us very well, as good as they can, whether on social media or personal. Similarly at the clubs we are all in.
“But it is definitely something we are aware of as female players. I think that is the pitfall in the growth of the women's game. Although we are getting bigger and we are celebrating more – we have more fans and that is great – but there His clearly negative sides and this is that we try to be as prepared.
When asked how she keeps herself safe, Bronze replied: “I played in different countries where I have lived alone, so that is something I am aware of, and even when I have been back England.
“But you just have to be smart about it. You have to take the right precautions, whether it is on social media, whether you protect data in terms of where we stay and things like that.
“Nowadays, players are more trained about safety. You have to be aware of what that looks like, who you can achieve to get help. You have to take all the precautions and be in the place you should be.”
The Will van Bronze and Bright have been using their platforms and profile for a long time to increase the consciousness of problems within the women's game.
“It's great,” Bronze added. “It is something we stand for in the sport of women. If you see another player doing it, it also gives you something – that you can stand up for yourself or that people hear us.
“That is something that is really special about the sport of women in general. We all have each other's backs, we all try to empower each other. Unfortunately, there is that negative side, but the fact that we try to change, we want the World to be a better place, the sports we play to be better places.
“We want to be safe and we want to bring joy and excitement. So to use our platforms to try to push those things forward, change for all the little girls and boys, that is something that we really keep dear hearts and the Reason why we get up and say. “
Head coach of England, Sarina Wiegman, expressed her pride on how her players expressed recent issues and said: “It shows a lot about the solidarity that you are not alone and share these experiences in the team, but also in the wider world , You can see that people can resonate.
“I think it is really powerful and we have that platform because we are performing at the highest level. That is what I always say, to perform at the highest level and there are so many other things that come from it and continue to do so. “
Bronze: Spain players are brave for fighting for change
Bronze, who played for Barcelona at the time of the World Cup, greeted Jenni Hermoso and her teammates from Spain for “Getting up for change”.
Former president of the Spanish football federation Luis Rubiales was found guilty of sexual abuse after he had kissed Hermoso without permission.
Bronze spoke for the verdict: “It was incredible that the players had to endure that. Not just winning the World Cup and the media outside of it, but they are in the court case and they speak out.
“It is incredibly brave of the individuals and the team involved. They fight for change – not only within the court case – but they fight for change in their federation. It is amazing.
“As an English team we have made changes to our federation – not to the same extent or for the same reason – but we are with the Spanish players. As a team we wish them the very best and they want them to get what they deserve It.
“We want them to just enjoy their football. There were last year in Barcelona and all players go through the trials after the World Cup, [it] Was a challenge for them. It would be nice for them to concentrate on their football again because they are incredible people and incredible players. “
Raducanu speaks about 'difficult experience'
Emma Raducanu says that she is “proud” on how she responded to a “difficult experience” on the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday, where she was approached by a man who showed “fixed behavior” prior to her defeat against Karolina Muchova.
The person gave a street ban on Thursday.
“Difficult experience yesterday, but I will be good and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the game,” said Raducanu.
“Thank you to Karolina for being a great sport and good luck for her for the rest of the tournament.”
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