A Beautiful Game?: The harrowing connection between football and gender-based abuse
This summer will showcase Euro 2024 in Germany, but what does that mean for the women who might be on the receiving end of physical and psychological violence during and after the games.
According to the National Council for Domestic Violence there is a 26 per cent increase in reported incidents of domestic abuse when England plays, 38 per cent if they lose and 11 per cent the next day whether they win or lose.
Hollie Venn, Chief Executive of Sheffield Women’s Aid, says: "We have a pandemic of domestic abuse whereby two to three women on average are killed each week. We cannot and should not view incidents in isolation purely because someone is a “celebrity”. All perpetrators regardless of status should be held accountable."
Last week Sheffield Wednesday allowed German international, Nico Schulz, to train with the team even though he is due to make a court appearance this week after allegations of domestic violence against his former girlfriend who was pregnant at the time. When manager, Danny Rohl, was quizzed he did not elaborate on the club’s stance on the matter and said: “He is in training with us, he’s a training guest… it makes no sense to speak about the personal things of a player when he’s not actually signed with Sheffield Wednesday.”
Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals there were 1,500,000 cases of domestic abuse towards women in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023. However, according to Women’s Aid, most data on this topic only accounts for specific types of behaviour and in their view domestic abuse has to also be seen through the prism of power and control. These less explicitly violent forms, including coercive and financial control, are usually gender-based.
Ms Venn believes excuses are often made for the abusive behaviour of an abuser. She says: “I think it's a mistake to argue it away as people ‘just getting carried away’. There's a lot at stake, particularly thinking about World Cups. Again excusing behaviours of perpetrators and saying, ‘oh, well, you know, it was just that the emotions were really heightened’. Actually, perpetrators are very much in control of what they do. We don't see them ‘losing control’ to their employers or the police.”
The connection between the most watched sport in the world and gender-based abuse is further fuelled by the lack of action taken by those with great influence in football. One of the most famous football clubs, Manchester United, were embroiled in controversy last summer as their plans to reintegrate Mason Greenwood into their playing squad were revealed by The Athletic.
Mason Greenwood has not played for the team since January 2022 when recordings and images were released on social media of alleged sexual abuse of his girlfriend. The forward faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm - all of which he denied. Eventually, the case was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service due to “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material meant there was no longer realistic prospect of conviction”.
His club were then left with a decision to make, as he was still a contracted employee of Manchester United, and they had to decide what to do with Greenwood. The Athletic revealed there were detailed plans on how to bring him back into the spotlight without causing controversy. One of the more controversial details of the planning was how they anticipated domestic abuse charities to be “hostile” towards the club’s decision to restore Greenwood’s status as a Premier League footballer.
Ms Venn says: “Do you see it as acceptable as having people who are known domestic abusers, known sexual violence abusers in your organisations? Is that something you want to be associated with? Surely you would argue, no, it's not something you want to be associated with."
Manchester United eventually allowed Greenwood to leave on loan which many expected to be a permanent separation between the parties. But last week new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe spoke openly about how there is still a chance for the 22-year-old at the club. He said: “The process will be: understand the facts not the hype and then try and come to a fair decision on the basis of values which is basically is he a good guy or not.”
In a country where, according to Refuge, one in four women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, those with status are setting a dangerous precedent for those who view them as role models. The fan group, ‘Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return’, were staunch in their disapproval of the players' return.
The group also released a statement in September 2023 when another Manchester United player, Antony, was alleged to have committed the assault of two women. The fan group said “swifter action needs to be taken in cases where those working in football are arrested and charged for crimes of violence and abuse to protect and support both fans and their colleagues within their clubs/ the wider football industry”.
Chief Arsenal reporter at football.london, Kaya Kaynak, explained the reasons why clubs do not condemn their players more harshly when accused of gender-based violence. "I think you get into certain legal areas where you have to think about if a player says they didn’t do it then what do you do about that? For example, in the Mason Greenwood case, there is overwhelming evidence that the club couldn’t really ignore in that case and they have to suspend him. If it had been similar to some other cases where there wasn't the same amount of evidence, maybe it would’ve been kept quieter and he would’ve continued playing.
"It's a real dilemma for these clubs when it comes to the need to achieve sporting success on the pitch and the people who can provide them with that and obviously the ethical complications and often legal complications that come hand in hand. In an ideal world, they would not be given a platform and it would be done and dusted. It's a sad state of affairs."
Round Up: City of Doncaster Council announce finance plans for 2024/2025
City of Doncaster approved their financial plans for 2024/2025, in a council meeting held today.
The council announced that £506.6 million of capital investment is planned over 2024/2025, including a proposed £14.4 million to refurbish Doncaster Dome.
To view documents in full visit: Agenda for Council on Monday, 27th February, 2023, 2.00 pm - Modern Council (moderngov.co.uk)
Round-up: Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet meeting
Rishi Sunak has faced harsh questioning throughout his visit to Yorkshire today.
Mr Sunak has had to answer for his fellow MP Lee Anderson's comments about Sadiq Khan and claims that the Conservative Party is rooted in Islamophobia.
Mr Sunak suggests that plans for the redistribution of the funds from the scrapped HS2 project have already benefited the public.
He was also posed questions about the continuing NHS strikes ahead of the junior doctors' strikes.
First-edition Harry Potter book sells for more than £10,000
The book that originally cost 13p was sold at auction for £11,000, with its premium total amounting to £14,432.
The uncorrected proof copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was bought in 1997 from a second-hand shop with two other books for a total of 40p.
The seller, now 52, bought the book when she was 26 and living in Crystal Palace “I didn’t have much money but I always liked to treat myself to a browse round second-hand bookshops on Saturday mornings.
“I dropped into one of my usual haunts, one of the second-hand bookshops just off the main road in Crystal Palace, looking for some Agatha Christies. Piles of books were all jumbled up in baskets on the floor with a maximum price of 40p."
Historic Sheffield venue, Abbeydale Picture House, announces immediate closure
Abbeydale Picture House, an iconic Sheffield landmark, announced its immediate closure, last week.
Councillor Minesh Parekh, Labour lead for Economic Development, Culture and Skill, said: “It’s really sad that Abbeydale Picture House is set to close. This is a Sheffield landmark and an important part of our city’s cultural heritage.”
Historic venue announces immediate closure after a century
Abbeydale Picture House, an iconic Sheffield landmark, announced immediate closure last week.
Despite being only seven years into a seven-year-lease, CADS (Creative Arts Development Space) decided to let go of the building due to repair costs.
CADS had been attempting to raise money to save the building since the venue’s roof was deemed unsafe two years ago.
Councillor Minesh Parekh, Labour lead for Economic Development, Culture and Skill, said: “It’s really sad that Abbeydale Picture House is set to close. This is a Sheffield landmark and an important part of our city’s cultural heritage."
The venue first opened on 20 December 1920 and could seat 1,560 people. It included a ballroom and a billiard room, while it was often referred to as the “Picture Palace” due to its luxury. In 1989, the building was given a Grade II listing by English Heritage.
In January 2021, CADS hosted a number of events to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Abbeydale Picture House including the Yorkshire Silent Film Festival.
Two years ago, the ceiling was found at risk of collapse, and the picture house was placed on the annual Theatres at Risk Register in January.
Cllr Parekh said: “We know that far too many cultural organisations are struggling, from both the fourteenth year of this austerity regime and the impact of rising energy bills. We all deserve a government properly committed to the arts and cultural sector, not the short-termism we’re currently facing.”
Last week, Sheffield City Council announced ambitions to develop Sheffield’s cultural sector, three days before the closure of Abbeydale Picture House.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Skills and Development Committee, said: “We want the cultural sector in Sheffield to be thriving, inclusive and diverse.”
Locals expressed their disappointment in the news of Abbeydale Picture House on X earlier last week.
The Sheffield Wire attempted to contact CADS but did not receive a response.
“It’s just like a family”: Sheffield club breaks down ability boundaries to playing tennis
An inclusive beginners group hosted across Sheffield are promoting the sport for people with disabilities looking to get involved in the game.
The Ability Tennis programme holds sessions for people with physical, learning and sensory disabilities at all ability levels.
Founder, Ben Howarth, spoke at the organisation’s wheelchair session at Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre in Jordanthorpe about making the game accessible to people by teaching the game to their requirements.
He said: “If players can see me playing in a wheelchair, it shows them the skills that they need and I’m learning just as much as they are.”
The idea sprang from finding a positive use for indoor courts which sat empty in the daytime.
Mr Howarth said: “We had a beautiful tennis club but the facility just wasn’t being used.
“It meant I had a lot of hours needing to be filled with work, but also wanting to get more people physically active, social, and feeling included in playing tennis.”
Attendees of the session praised the health benefits that people with disabilities can gain by joining disability sports clubs.
Member since the sessions began, Lottie Davis-Browne, said: “Everybody should have the opportunity to play tennis.
“There’s people with different levels of disability and they may never be able to play a proper match, but there’s always something tennis related you can do.
“Some disabled people don’t have that basic hand-eye coordination but by working one to one with them in things like tennis that improves.”
As well as the physical benefits, the mental health support the groups can provide one another is profound.
Barry Grayson, who also attends a para ice hockey club remembered how the team helped him during a tournament, saying : “My wife was ill while we were doing that and she died part-way through it, but they were there all the time. It’s just like a family.”
Echoing the feeling, Ms Davis-Browne said: “It’s the friendship, it’s having structure in your week. We all sort of understand what each other are going through.”
Despite the benefits these groups offer there are still obstacles to participating, a key one being transportation as some members have to travel over an hour to get to an accessible indoor facility.
Mr Howarth pointed to the success of outreach programmes offered by the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind, who offer a minibus that transports players with visual impairments to and from the venues and drastically increases attendance.
He also highlighted the need for engagement with the disabled community from coaches and venues, saying that the venue not being completely accessible is not an insurmountable barrier to being inclusive.
He suggested producing short videos of the facilities to give people an understanding of the layout and access to reduce anxieties about visiting venues.
Mr Howarth said: “There aren’t many clubs where the facilities are going to be absolutely perfect, but it’s about being honest with people with disabilities.
“Everyone, whatever ability they have, is playing the same game. They’re just playing it in their own way.”
Tory MP suggests Criminal Justice Bill will “criminalise” rough sleepers
Tory MP Nickie Aiken, a former leader of Westminster City Council, told the Commons: “Does the minister understand my concerns that what is suggested in the Criminal Justice Bill criminalises rough sleepers, does not do anything to help them, and the police already have the powers but are failing to use them?”
Ms Aiken is one of a few MPs warning the government against introducing new powers for the police to deal with rough sleepers.
New Parkrun boasts best views of Sheffield and the Peak District
Parkwood Springs is set to have its own Park Run this summer as efforts to transform it into the city centre's country park continue.
The underutilised space is the size of Hyde Park and has recently received funding from British Cycling and £19 million from the governments levelling up fund its development.
Plans include building a new access road and bringing the Ski Village back into use following its closure in 2012 after a fire.
With a new café, and toilets about to be installed, the group Friends of Parkwood Springs thought a weekly Park Run would be the perfect addition to bring even more people to the site.
The planned route boasts breath-taking views of the city and peaks which could make it the most attractive option for Saturday morning 5k.
Trials of the route will be happening soon to demonstrate that it is viable.
Committee member, Seth Kirby said: "We're looking for people to be more engaged in in the areas around Parkwood Springs and that's right across different areas from Shirecliffe and Burngreave right down to people living in Kelham Island because this could be this could end up being their their closest park run."
Overall, the set up costs of the weekly event will be £4,000 and this includes having a defibrillator on site.
The group still have £1,500 left to raise and donations can be made on their Go Fund Me page.
In the meantime, a grand opening is planned in March for the new facilities, and there are a number of events happening in the park as part of Festival of the Outdoors 2024 such as inclusive Off-Road cycling day.
Cross-party squabbling over Doncaster Sheffield Airport continues
Conservative MP for Don Valley Nick Fletcher came under fire from mayor Ros Jones last week for claiming that Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed by the council.
The comments, made in a recent campaign leaflet, follow the news that the airport could reopen as part of a £138 million 10-year plan.
Residents in the Don Valley constituency said last week that they recently received a campaign leaflet from Mr Fletcher which read: “Nick is continuing the campaign to re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport, challenging the Council’s decision to close it.”
The statement was met with fierce criticism on X, with Mayor of Doncaster, Labour's Ros Jones, describing the claim as “a complete and utter lie".
“I have written to Nick Fletcher in relation to misinformation,” Ms Jones wrote on X. "I expect him to retract this statement and apologise to constituents."
Built on the former RAF base in Finningley, the airport closed in 2022 after owners Peel Group deemed the site “no longer commercially viable”.
The interparty squabbling over the airport's uncertain future is frustrating businesses in the area.
“We are blessed to have strong supporters in Nick Fletcher and Ros Jones in helping push for the airport’s reopening,” said Craig Dowie, managing director of the Crown Hotel in Bawtry. “But the bickering is overshadowing the objective of getting it open.”
Doncaster Sheffield Airport was opened in April 2005 and was known as Robin Hood Airport until 2016. It served nearly 1.5m passengers in 2019 and housed the last airworthy Vulcan bomber in Great Britain for over 10 years.
The last passenger flights flew from the airport in November 2022, but the Sheffield Wire reported last week that £138m is to be invested by the South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority to help reopen it.
Last week, Mr Fletcher published a series of Facebook posts in order to 'get to the facts' of what happened to the defunct airport. He wrote in the posts: “In no way do I ever want to detract from the excellent work that the council officers are doing in their work on the airport.”
However, a spokesperson for City of Doncaster Council told the Doncaster Free Press that Mr Fletcher is yet to apologise publicly for his comments.
Fundraiser set up to raise funds to revive patient favourite radio station
A fundraiser has been set up to get the station, Sheffield Hospital Radio, back on air, after it was forced to close nearly two years ago.
The charity organisation hopes that donations will allow them to get back on air from the new location of Beech Road, so they can then provide their services to hospital patients across Sheffield.
To donate to Sheffield Hospital Radio go to: Fundraiser by Paul Denton : Get Sheffield Hospital Radio Back ON AIR (gofundme.com)
Flowers by Miley Cyrus named global single of the year
The pop star has already taken two Grammys this year with the tracks success continuing into 2024.
Cyrus' song was given the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) Global Single Award.
Lewis Morrison, director of global charts and certifications at IFPI, said: “We are delighted to present the IFPI Global Single Award to Miley Cyrus, who produced the song of 2023 with Flowers.
“Topping the charts in so many countries simultaneously, the song – along with its message of empowerment – resonated across the world and is the definition of a truly global hit.
“Congratulations to Miley and her team for this incredible achievement."