Men should look to Ian Wright as a role model
If you've spent enough time on social media, you have probably come across a widely shared video of a man in a football stadium being surprised by a much older man, which causes the younger of the two to cry tears of joy while saying, "I thought you were dead."
That man - and former football player - is Ian Wright. Whilst I could focus on his remarkable football career and his status as an English football legend, I would rather discuss his work as a passionate advocate for women, especially in sport. Ian Wright has never been afraid to speak out against the inequalities women face in sport. His vocal stance on fairer pay and better media coverage for women's football continues to challenge outdated attitudes and pushes for a future where both men's and women's games receive equal respect.
During the Lionesses' Euro 2022-winning campaign, he remarked, "Whatever happens in the final now, if girls aren't allowed to play football just like the boys can in their P.E. after this tournament, then what are we doing?... If there's no legacy from this, like what we saw with the 2012 Olympics, then what are we doing? Because girls should be able to play... This is the proudest I've ever felt of any England side. This is what it's all about." Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year, Wright expressed his belief that some club owners are simply "ticking a box" with their investments in women's football.
"I really think something needs to be done to incentivise people who want to invest in the game. We are playing catch-up on every level: infrastructure, training, coaching, and development. And it does come down to money. If we can create an environment that encourages investment in women's football...we can accelerate the growth and sustainability of the game."
Given the rise of misogyny in football - from sexual assault by federation presidents, to footballers abusing their economic power, and clubs ignoring the toxic environments within their fanbases - a voice like Wright's is increasingly crucial for men to hear.
I understand the irony of writing about a man for International Women's Day, but in a world full of figures like Joey Barton, there should be more Ian Wrights.
