A majority of women working in football witness sexism at work and almost a quarter say they have suffered bullying and 15% report they have been victims of sexual harassment, according to a survey.

 

The survey, conducted by Professor Sue Bridgewater of Liverpool University, received responses from 505 women working in a range of roles within football. The proportion who said they have suffered sexual harassment is more than double the 7% who reported it in the previous Women in Football survey, in 2014.

 

Almost a fifth, 19%, said they had been barred from areas of the ground due to being women, including the players’ tunnel.

 

Heather Rabbatts, an FA board member and chair of the governing body’s inclusion advisory board, which is responsible for promoting diversity, agreed the survey exposed “where the industry is” on sexism but was optimistic progress is being made.

 

“We still have a considerable way to go before there is a level playing field for women working across the game,” Rabbatts said. “I know first hand, however, the experiences of many women in the game are increasingly positive; there are more women than ever before working in and making a fantastic contribution to football, both on and off the field.”