PARIS — In an extraordinary initiative by the French football league, every player in the top tiers of men’s soccer in France will display the word “WO=MAN” on the back of their jerseys this weekend instead of their own names.
This campaign, tied to International Women’s Day celebrations on Saturday, was launched with Friday’s match between Toulouse and Monaco, which ended in a 1-1 draw. It will continue throughout the weekend with other Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches, underscoring the league’s commitment to combating sexism in sports.
“The message serves as a powerful declaration,” the French Professional League (LFP) declared, emphasizing the need for gender equality both on and off the pitch. LED screens around the stadiums will prominently feature the “WO=MAN” slogan, and even the official match balls will carry this theme. Broadcast partners DAZN and beIN SPORTS will contribute by running awareness messages during halftime breaks.
Making Football Venues Women-Friendly
Throughout the season, the French league has collaborated closely with multiple organizations, namely The Foundation for Inclusive Sport, Her Game Too, and Colossus with Feet of Clay, alongside six trial clubs: Toulouse, Rennes, Auxerre, Metz, Paris FC, and Troyes. Their mission is to create safer venues for female fans.
Initiatives include mechanisms for reporting gender-based violence and offering support and protection, including post-incident follow-ups. Anoush Morel, the French director for Her Game Too, works with clubs to employ female ambassadors on matchdays to further diversity and inclusivity efforts. “We aim to foster an encouraging environment for all supporters and highlight the importance of our campaign through fan engagement, social networks, and community outreach,” Morel mentioned. “Establishing safe zones within stadiums is also a priority.”
Her Game Too boasts seven ambassadors in Ligue 1 and three in Ligue 2, who are easily recognizable with their pins and distribute informative flyers. Having experienced distressing situations during matchdays herself, such as an “abusive” body search at a Champions League match last April, Morel is well aware of the challenges faced by female fans. “Ensuring that football matches are safe and hospitable for everyone, particularly women, is essential,” she pointed out.
Endorsement from the Government
The “WO=MAN” notion was conceptualized by LFP’s communications and brand manager, Lise Ducrocq.
“It’s tremendously inspiring to take part in a project spearheaded by a woman,” Morel remarked, noting the excitement shared by the clubs involved.
French sports minister Marie Barsacq showed her support by attending a match, proudly displaying the symbolic jersey in the company of young girls. “This initiative will motivate (female) spectators to attend games,” Barsacq told DAZN. “Encouraging both women and men to enjoy matches together is crucial.”
Jerseys worn during the matches will be sold starting Monday, with proceeds benefiting the three partner organizations collaborating with the LFP. Official match balls will be autographed and auctioned off through Ligue 1’s online portals.
Demonstrating additional commitment, Ligue 2’s Red Star, based in a Paris suburb, introduced another empowering slogan: “TRUST’Her” on the front of their jersey for a Friday night clash with Amiens.
Furthermore, the collaboration between French supermarket chain Intermarché and the French Football Federation continues to bolster amateur women’s soccer with their grassroots initiative “Sensationnelles,” cleverly combining the word “Sensational” and “Elles,” the French pronoun for ‘they.’
Renowned soccer presenter Laure Boulleau and former international lineswoman Manuela Nicolosi actively participate in this initiative. Nicolosi was part of an all-female officiating team for a Ligue 1 match in 2023, alongside pioneering referee Stéphanie Frappart and lineswoman Élodie Coppola.
