Sporting Equals strongly condemns the abhorrent racism and misogyny directed at Sandra Calvert Lewin following recent online abuse. This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and has no place in football or society.
Dr Howard Haughton, Chair of Sporting Equals, said “We welcome and support Everton FC’s swift response and its clear zero tolerance stance on discrimination. However, statements alone are not enough. Sports clubs, governing bodies, and regulatory authorities must go further by identifying and sanctioning perpetrators, working closely with law enforcement, and ensuring that online platforms are held accountable for enabling hate to spread.”
Racism and misogyny, whether on or off the pitch, create hostile environments that discourage women, particularly women from ethnically diverse backgrounds, from engaging in sport not just professionally, but at every level of participation. The impact of such abuse extends beyond the individual. It sends a damaging message to young girls and women that they are not safe or welcome in the world of sport.
The abuse aimed at Sandra Calvert Lewin and the findings from the recent Women in Sport research are deeply worrying. Together, they highlight the urgent need for sports providers to reflect on their policies and crucially whether those policies may be contributing to unequal outcomes for specific communities. If sport is to be truly inclusive, these structural inequalities must be acknowledged and addressed with sincerity and accountability.
Sport must be a space where everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, feels respected, valued, and protected. We call for a united and sustained effort across the sporting landscape to challenge discrimination, implement stronger safeguards, and create genuinely inclusive cultures. Only then can we ensure that sport truly reflects and serves the diverse society in which it operates.
