Rushden & Diamonds game abandoned after ‘sexist’ abuse of referee – BBC

Report on Incident of Gender-Based Discrimination in Football and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

A Northern Premier League Midlands Division match between AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Coventry Sphinx was abandoned at half-time following an incident of alleged gender-based verbal abuse. The abuse, described as a comment of a “sexist nature,” was reportedly directed at the female match official by a spectator. AFC Rushden & Diamonds has formally condemned the act and launched an investigation. This report analyses the incident through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its direct opposition to the principles of gender equality, inclusive communities, and strong institutions.

2.0 Incident Details

The sequence of events leading to the match abandonment is as follows:

1. An alleged comment of a sexist nature was directed at the female referee from the crowd near the end of the first half.
2. The official temporarily halted the match to address the issue, though attempts to identify the responsible individual were unsuccessful at the time.
3. The match resumed for the remainder of the first half.
4. During the half-time interval, the referee informed the teams that she did not feel comfortable continuing her duties.
5. As a result of the official’s decision, the match was formally abandoned.

3.0 Analysis in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The incident represents a significant breach of the principles enshrined in several key SDGs, undermining progress towards a more equitable and sustainable global community.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This goal seeks to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. The incident is a direct contravention of this objective.

  • Target 5.1: The sexist abuse is a clear act of discrimination, which this target aims to eliminate everywhere.
  • Target 5.5: By creating a hostile and unsafe working environment, such abuse impedes women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities in public life, including professional sports officiating.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and providing access to justice for all.

  • Target 16.1: Discriminatory verbal abuse is a form of psychological violence, challenging the objective to significantly reduce all forms of violence.
  • Target 16.B: The condemnation by the football club and the reporting of the incident to relevant authorities are actions that support the promotion and enforcement of non-discriminatory policies for sustainable development.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal includes the provision of safe and inclusive public spaces.

  • Target 11.7: The incident highlights a failure to provide universal access to a safe and inclusive public space. Sporting venues must be environments free from harassment to ensure they are accessible and welcoming to all, in line with this target.

4.0 Institutional Response and Required Actions

The response from AFC Rushden & Diamonds demonstrates an initial commitment to upholding principles aligned with the SDGs.

• Official Condemnation: The club issued a statement declaring that “Discriminatory language or actions of any kind have absolutely no place within our community club or the wider football community.”
• Investigation and Accountability: The club has committed to taking the “strongest possible action” and has appealed to witnesses for information to ensure the individual is held accountable.
• Collaboration with Authorities: The matter has been escalated to the relevant football authorities, including the Football Association, for formal review and action, reflecting a partnership approach to enforcing standards.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article’s central theme is the “sexist abuse” and “comment of a sexist nature” directed at a female referee. This incident is a clear example of gender-based discrimination, which SDG 5 aims to eliminate to ensure women’s full and effective participation in all areas of life, including sports.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The abuse aimed at the referee because of her gender is an act that fosters inequality. It creates a hostile and unwelcoming environment, undermining the principle of equal opportunity for all, irrespective of sex. The club’s statement that “Discriminatory language or actions of any kind have absolutely no place” directly addresses the need to combat practices that create and sustain inequality.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is relevant because the sexist abuse can be classified as a form of psychological violence that disrupts a public event. Furthermore, the response to the incident—reporting it to “the relevant authorities” and the club’s commitment to “take the strongest possible action”—relates to the principles of ensuring justice for victims and building accountable institutions that enforce non-discriminatory policies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The “sexist abuse” is a direct form of discrimination that this target seeks to end.
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The verbal abuse in a public setting (a football match) constitutes a form of psychological violence.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life. The female referee holds a position of authority and leadership in the context of the match. The abuse is a barrier to her participation and to achieving equal opportunities for women in such roles.
2. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… sex. The incident is an attempt to socially exclude the referee based on her sex.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory… practices. The club’s condemnation of “discriminatory language” and its pledge to take action align with the goal of eliminating discriminatory practices to ensure equal opportunity.
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The verbal abuse is a non-physical form of violence that this target addresses.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law… and ensure equal access to justice for all. The club’s action of reporting the matter to “the relevant authorities” is a step towards seeking justice for the official and upholding rules against such behavior.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Incidence of Discriminatory Behavior: The article is based on a specific “comment of a sexist nature.” An indicator would be the number of reported incidents of sexist or discriminatory abuse in sporting events. The fact that this incident was reported is itself a data point.
• Institutional Response: The club issued a statement, attempted to identify the culprit, and reported the incident. An indicator could be the proportion of sports clubs with clear anti-discrimination policies and the number of actions taken in response to reported incidents.
• Participation and Safety: The presence of a “female match official” is an indicator of women’s participation in non-traditional roles. However, her statement that she “did not feel comfortable continuing” points to a crucial counter-indicator related to the perceived safety and inclusion of women in these roles. This could be measured through surveys of officials.
• Access to Justice: The statement that the matter “had been reported to the ‘relevant authorities'” implies an indicator related to the number of discrimination or harassment cases in sports that are formally reported to and investigated by governing bodies or legal authorities.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com