DFB captain Gwinn dismisses allegations as baseless
German Football Federation Condemns Sexist Incident Against Referee Fabienne Michel
In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, the captain of the German women's football team, Giulia Gwinn of FC Bayern Munich, expressed her disgust over the sexist insults directed at referee Fabienne Michel during a third division match between Verl and Essen. Gwinn sees these incidents as a wake-up call, signaling that tolerance levels in society and football still have a long way to go.
Fans of Rot-Weiss Essen were responsible for the offensive and disrespectful chants targeted at Michel during the second half of the match. The German Football Federation (DFB) has imposed a fine of €20,000 on RWE as a result, and Michel has also filed a civil lawsuit.
In light of this incident, Gwinn is advocating for unity among women in football and society at large. She stated, "It's up to us as women to stand together. We can't just accept this... It's unbelievable that we're still dealing with this in 2025." Gwinn plans to continue voicing her concerns, even if doing so means facing resistance and discomfort.
Previously, referee chief Knut Kircher had also denounced the fans' behavior towards Michel, calling their chants discriminatory and contemptuous.
The incident involving Fabienne Michel has sparked conversations about sexism in football, with many advocating for a culture of respect and equality. The DFB has consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants. While the specific actions taken by the DFB in response to this incident are not detailed, the organization typically prioritizes accountability and deterrence efforts to prevent future occurrences.
Sources: ntv.de, sue/dpa
- The Commission, in its role as a regulatory body, has also been consulted on the draft directive aimed at combating discrimination and promoting equal opportunities in sports, including women's health, sexual health, and health-and-wellness.
- In light of the current discussions on sexism in sports, it would be beneficial to involve experts from the field of science to provide evidenced-based recommendations on creating a culture of respect and equality in football and other sports.
- Gwinn's advocacy for unity among women extends beyond football to encompass broader societal issues, such as access to quality healthcare services for women, including but not limited to womens' health and sports medicine research.
