One could almost hear the “woke nonsense” snorts all the way from the other side of the Atlantic this week.
Federico Higuain has found himself out of a job after a controversy involving a female referee at an MLS Next pro league match, with the incident in question happening at the end of August.
Higuain, a reserve coach for Columbus Crew, might have saved his skin with a public apology but, according to ESPN, is reported to have refused to do so. He also failed to comply with a restorative practices programme he was obliged by the league to complete.
It came after he was alleged to have refused to let go of a female referee’s hand with a sexist, “Don’t forget this is a man’s game,” retort. The Argentine might well have found himself in the dock for crimes against originality.
In any case, Higuain had originally been sent off in the aftermath of the incident and given a two-match suspension by the league.
The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA) criticised that punishment insisting that it fell “drastically short.” A statement from the referees’ union read: “A male head coach committed two deliberate acts of physical abuse and sexism against a female official – squeezing her hand and refusing to let go after being told to stop three times.”
As pressure built this week, multiple female officials posted photos of themselves on Instagram with the message “We Belong” in reference to the incident. Among the more prominent names to post the message was MLS referee Tori Penso, who this summer became the first American woman to officiate at the men’s World Cup.
“We determined it’s in the best interest of our club, players and support staff to dismiss Federico Higuain from his responsibilities,” Crew general manager Issa Tall said in a statement as the club looked to start digging themselves a damage limitation exercise.
One suspects the horse had long since bolted given the month that lay between their decision and the build-up of public anger.
There are two things to note, though, about cultural changes; they are a slow, drip-feed that seeps into public consciousness at a snail’s pace. The other is that the change needs legislation for enforcement.
There is ample evidence to support this. Up until the early ‘80s barely anyone in this country voluntarily wore a seat belt when driving. And few would have thought twice about it. It was only when legislation was introduced in 1983 – with a £50 fine for breaking the law – that people started to buckle up. The result was immediate; a 25% reduction in driver fatalities.
There is a contemporary muscle memory response now when getting into a car. Current estimates place compliance with legislation at just under 96%.
Drink driving was once regarded as culturally acceptable. A few pints and jumping in the car to get up the road would not have been thought of as entirely unpalatable.
Smoking in pubs, nightclubs, planes, buses was also entirely normal.
Up until the Sex Discrimination Act in 1975, women, regardless of circumstances, could legally be refused a loan or a mortgage without a husband or father’s signature.
Legislation enforces the change. Without it, it is impossible.
So the fact that Higuain now finds himself out of a job is unlikely to have prompted a change of heart on his own opinions. The converse is most likely as he doubtlessly rails privately against a world gone mad and an inability to dispense causal sexism in a professional environment.
But the only way to force the change, and to forcibly consign it to a bygone era, is to have fairly drastic measures in place. Huguain has attracted global headlines for a rush of blood to the head and a ridiculous remark made in the heat of the moment. His subsequent behaviour points to a stubbornness of opinion that will be shared by many of his contemporaries.
Forcing the change is why he has to be out of a job.
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AND ANOTHER THING
The opening night of Disney’s UEFA Women’s Champions League coverage this week most certainly ensured that they attracted headlines.
Just not the kind they would have wanted.
Alongside Alex Scott, Lianne Sanderson and content creators Tyra Mills and Alex Bailess was Barley Boy. Barley Boy is a sanguine golden retriever who who has amassed a cult online following. Make of his 82,000 Instagram followers what you will.
His presence on set was bizarre.
It contributed to an awkward show that was more in keeping with something off of the cartoon network rather than an analysis of the game.
That they had dialled it back a notch 24 hours later following the predicably outraged online reaction would suggest there is an awareness that they got it horribly wrong.
AND FINALLY
Hearts still have it all to do next week as they board trains, planes and automobiles for the second leg of their Europa Cup qualifier against Real Sociedad.
But there was a lot to like in their goalless draw with the Spaniards at Ainslie Park this week, not least the performance of Toni Campbell. Just 16, she was excellent with a performance that belied her inexperience.
Andy Thomson is having to rely on youth as academy players find themselves in the senior team this season but the initial impression is that some of them are clearly ready to be thrown in.
