CRYSTAL PALACE WOMEN goalkeeper Lucy Gillett has claimed that she faced vile sexist abuse during her side’s match with Coventry United at the weekend.
The alleged abuse is said to have taken place in the first half of the Women’s Championship match.
Gillett also represented Brighton Women before switching to PalaceCredit: Rex Features
And Gillett claims that several men in the crowd behind her shouted for the referee to “check the gender” of Crystal Palace’s players.
The 25-year-old told BBC Sport: “It is something I don’t think should be at a women’s game – or any game. It is not acceptable.
“There were quite a few verbally abusive comments, some directed at me and some directed at the whole team.
“In my 18 years of playing, I’ve never had verbal abuse directly aimed at myself right behind my goal. It was an unpleasant experience.
“If it was a racist comment it wouldn’t be tolerated. We have had players walk off pitches for racist comments.
“Maybe I should have walked off the pitch in that match.”
Gillett did report the abuse to the referee at half time, but wasn’t sure on what action to take.
“At the time I wasn’t 100% sure of the protocol or what I was supposed to do.
The former Basildon keeper had never experienced abuse like that before on the pitchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I tried to just ignore it and continue with the game.
“The behaviour was better in the second half, but still not completely controlled and quite intimidating for the team.
“I can’t say what should have happened or shouldn’t have happened, but for me to be verbally abused for 45 minutes – to anyone that is unacceptable.
“If we are going to see more of these incidents in the women’s game, then there needs to be protocols of what teams and security should be doing if they come across this kind of situation.”
Coventry United subsequently released an official statement on the matter.
It read: “Coventry United FC is aware of the allegations made; ref. our home game on January 12th.
“We are investigating the matter carefully, with the close support of the Football Association.
“Until the investigations are complete, CUFC staff or players will be making no further comment.”
An FA spokesperson said on the incident: “We continue to work with partners across the game, such as Stonewall and LGBT fan groups, to encourage fans and players to report abuse, both at a national and county FA level, and work with the leagues, campaign groups and the statutory agencies to sanction and educate perpetrators.”
Coventry United won the game 3-2, leapfrogging Palace into sixth place in England’s second tier.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
