FEMALE footballers often have to put bitter rivalries to one side to make ends meet.
Emma Mitchell’s loan transfer from Arsenal to Tottenham hit a nerve with fans.
Alex Scott says you can’t compare transfers in the women’s game to the men’s after Emma Mitchell’s controversial move across North London
But it simply isn’t the same as Sol Campbell’s seismic switch between the two clubs in the opposite direction back in 2001.
I know Mitch from my years with the Gunners and nobody can judge her for crossing that line between two ferocious rivals.
You cannot even compare transfers in the WSL to the men’s game — because female players simply don’t earn the same money.
It’s not like the men who rake in all that cash and can up sticks and move their family and relocate easily whenever they like.
Female players have to think about how they are going to put food on the table.
Mitch has a partner and a house in North London. So for her to give everything up and move somewhere just because she doesn’t want to go to Spurs would be ridiculous to ask.
You cannot look at it in such black and white terms of a rivalry.
You have to consider a female player’s life, her income and getting game time — which is exactly what Mitch needs.
I’m not saying it’s easy for female players to move to a rival club. I know it would have been a tough decision for her.
Alex Scott on Emma Mitchell’s controversial move
Us players always knew she was a top left-back but she suffered injuries and was battling with her mental health off the pitch.
Massive respect to her for how outspoken she has been about her wellbeing. I know she had one of the toughest years of her life in 2018.
She opened up about how football has been an escape from the family problems she went through when she was younger.
I was buzzing to see her score the opener on her full debut in last week’s win over West Ham.
It’s brilliant that she is back on the pitch and enjoying herself.
I’m not saying it’s easy for female players to move to a rival club. I know it would have been a tough decision for her.
She had been at Arsenal since 2013 and I know she invested in the club. You become fiercely loyal, so it must have been hard for her to process.
But the pressure of all that just needs to be stripped back so she can enjoy a fresh start.
UNACCEPTABLE ABUSE
This is also Spurs’ first season in the top flight, so that rivalry in the women’s game is in its infancy and needs to grow.
It’s massive that players like Mitch are speaking out on mental health — like I did when I was being endlessly trolled on Twitter.
Looking back at Campbell’s switch, she should not have had to endure all that abuse, even though he was a key figure in Tottenham’s defence and the move was a huge shock.
Players are humans who have feelings. People always say, ‘Oh, you’re getting paid so much money, you should be able to take it’.
I get that there’s the passion and love for the sport — that’s why we all love it, right? Because of the loyalty and being part of a rabid fan base.
But abusing someone on the street is unacceptable. No one should have to go through that just because it’s football. There are worse things going on in the world.
Most people don’t know I almost moved to Arsenal’s title rivals Manchester City. They wanted me there and were one step ahead in terms of investment.
I was so tempted by the shiny new facilities at the Academy Stadium.
But my heart was always in London because my family, friends and my home were all there and I could never have dropped all that.
I’m a Gunner through and through.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
