International Women's Day at Fútbol Emotion

We will mark this significant day in our calendar, as is only right, by giving a voice to some of the women who work in our company day in, day out, allowing them to share their views not only on their role within the company, but also on the status of women in football, as well as their personal perspectives on the direction in which the sport should evolve. In doing so, we must highlight an initiative promoted internally within the ranks of Fútbol Emotion. The launch of an Equality Plan.

“Women still play a limited role both in sport and in companies operating within the sector. Progress is being made, albeit in small steps, but this is creating new opportunities for women within the sector, and it is something to bear in mind. Anyone, whether man or woman, can devote their life to whatever they wish, and for those women whose life, hobby or work is connected to the world of football, this should be welcomed and not frowned upon. (…) It is true that, for the moment, it is early days because the Equality Plan was only created less than a week ago, but my role, together with another colleague, will be to represent the voice of the workers in order to implement the necessary and fair measures regarding equality for all workers.

The objectives are yet to be defined; we are awaiting a report from an external firm specialising in creating equality plans for companies.

I feel comfortable with this, and above all, it’s a topic I think could be really cool. 

The benefits will be mutual for both the company and the workers; it’s about implementing measures that benefit both. Happy, motivated workers… good results for the company.

Essential in any kind of company.”

“I’ve always loved playing football, ever since I was little. I’ve also really enjoyed watching it on TV and playing it on FIFA. When I turned 12, I started playing for the girls’ under-12s team at Intersala Promises, a futsal club. The team had just been formed. I stayed there until the junior category – I think I was 14 or 15 – and I stopped because of a knee injury that I still suffer from today, and to focus on my studies. Later, the opportunity arose to join Fútbol Emotion, and I certainly feel very lucky. (…) I think women’s football is growing at the moment. Honestly, I don’t know if it’s for business reasons or because they genuinely want to raise its profile (you might not be able to include this bit, ha ha ha). To be honest, I don’t care if it’s for business, because what I want is for the day to come when the Women’s Champions League final is also broadcast on free-to-air TV with the stadium packed to the rafters. I think we’re on the right track. Women’s national teams have been included in FIFA. Now, in the career mode of the video game, I can also choose to be a coach. Real Madrid finally has a women’s team. It’s becoming more common to see Iberdrola League matches broadcast on television. I think that in five years’ time, the outlook will be positive.” 

“I decided to pursue a career in the football industry because the opportunity arose: a job vacancy came up that seemed tailor-made for me. During the interview, they told me that in-depth knowledge of football wasn’t essential, which was a huge relief. My connection to football, beyond the professional aspect, I’d say is social, as I don’t mind watching a match when I’m with friends and, in fact, I used to enjoy playing it as a child… (…) I think the role of women in football is growing little by little, but there’s still a long way to go. In companies, there are roles that seem to be earmarked for a specific gender, and I think that barrier has been breaking down recently. In sport, I think change is much slower. In football, for example, which has always been dominated by men, there is still a long way to go before women’s football catches up. To start with, there should be equal conditions and opportunities for female and male players. In fact, last year female footballers went on strike demanding a minimum annual wage and a collective agreement (something that should have been stipulated from the outset). I also think it’s a question of social awareness, because as it’s a sport that for many years was played only by men, society doesn’t believe that the women’s version can be of the same standard. Furthermore, the fact that the resources allocated to this sport are far lower than those for the men’s version also plays a part; the public won’t take it as seriously, as it seems to be of a lower standard. 

I believe that for there to be any progress, we must first stop viewing women’s sport as something complementary or secondary.”

“Women’s football has been one of the major driving forces behind gender equality in sport in recent years, promoting and raising the profile of both amateur and professional play in the major leagues, as well as fostering federated women’s football; a shift in mindset is evident in a sport that has traditionally been male-dominated. Despite the progress made, there is still much to change and much to enjoy. I believe we will all benefit from this coexistence. (…) As one of the employee representatives on this Equality Committee and given my role in communications, my aim is to help as much as possible to raise the profile of women within the sector; to promote gender equality in all aspects of working life within the company; and to join in with the initiatives of brands and teams.”

“My sporting career began when I was just four years old. My professional career started in 2007 when I made my debut in the First Division at the age of 14, and in 2018 I decided to hang up my gloves and start my career as a goalkeeping coach. It’s true that male dominance is on the wane, but I have had bad experiences simply because I’m a woman. There are men who, even today, think that just because you’re a woman, you don’t know anything about this sector. Whenever that’s happened to me, I’ve invited them to listen to me and then make up their own minds.

The role of women in the world of football is making ever greater strides. They have greater media coverage thanks to sponsors, the media, partnerships… something that didn’t exist two or three years ago. 

In the professional sector, it’s now easier to find women working in these areas because everything is evolving, and more and more people are realising that women know about football too.

My view on the equality committee is positive; I believe there needs to be a woman in every department of the company. Just as the whole of Fútbol Emotion has also made progress on this issue. 

We women still have a long way to go in this sector and must keep moving forward.”

“My career has always been linked to the world of football. I started by chance in the sports desk of a local newspaper in Pamplona, where I was assigned to cover Osasuna’s matches, and I haven’t looked back since.

I must admit I’ve never been a huge football fan, but the passion with which this sport is lived, both by players and fans, is something that caught my attention and eventually hooked me. That ability to move crowds, that sense of belonging to a team, the madness in the stadium when your team scores a goal, that childlike excitement of seeing your favourite player, that willingness to wake up at 7 in the morning to play a match on a Sunday, that frustration of the fan leaving the stadium when their team hasn’t given it their all… The thrill of football made me want to link my professional career to this world.

Unfortunately, although small steps are being taken in that direction, the football sector is not known for promoting gender equality. The inequalities are evident in salaries, visibility, conditions for men’s and women’s teams, the proportion of men and women in football newsrooms, and the disparagement of women who know about football, as in the recent viral case of the journalist Laura Vizcaíno. I believe that we women who are involved in the world of football in some way are in the right place and position to stand up and continue to change the landscape, but there is still a long way to go before we achieve that utopian equality in this sector."

Mussa glove for the 2015 FIFA World Cup

Odin camouflage glove

Odin glove designed to look like a boxing glove

Earhart glove for the U19 European Championship

Earhart glove for the 2019 FIFA World Cup

Strapless Earhart 

Strapless Earhart 

It is important to explain the origin of the name EARHART, as there may be young female goalkeepers who are unaware of it. The name of this glove comes from a true legend in the struggle for women’s equality: Amelia Earhart, an American aviator who broke new ground in a male-dominated world and became a powerful role model by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. In addition to this record, she set countless other flight records. To cement her status as a LEGEND, Amelia Earhart attempted to fly round the world along the equator, but her plane crashed just before she completed the journey. Sadly, her body was never found. Earhart, for you all, is the symbol and embodiment of what it means today to be a WOMEN’S FOOTBALL GOALKEEPER. 

In connection with this, we had the chance to chat about the gloves with Sara Serrat, goalkeeper for SP Fútbol and Sevilla FC. She has played a key role in the design and development of the flagship goalkeeper kit range.