This event, in my viewpoint, is awe-inspiring or simply astonishing. - Giulia Gwinn dismisses the occurrence as baseless in her perspective
FC Bayern Munich Captain Giulia Gwinn Slams Sexist Incident Towards Referee
Rot-Weiss Essen fans were fined €20,000 by the German Football Association (DFB) following sexist chants aimed at female referee Fabienne Michel during a men's third-division match against SC Verl. In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Gwinn expressed her disdain over the incident, stating, "This is a wake-up call that tolerance is not where it should be."
The discriminatory chants, which included derogatory terms such as "Schieber, Schieber" and "Hure, Hure," became public after the game, spurring an investigation from the DFB. Michel has also filed a civil lawsuit surrounding the incident.
Gwinn, the captain of the German women's football team, believes the support of women is crucial in addressing such incidents. "We can't just accept this. It's incredible that we're still dealing with this in 2025," said the 25-year-old Gwinn ahead of Germany's upcoming Nations League match in Bremen.
Referee chief Knut Kircher also condemned the fans' behavior, stating the chants were "discriminatory and contemptible."
Despite the backlash that can come from speaking out, Gwinn remains steadfast in her call for change. "We need strong opinions and strong personalities to drive change forward," she said.
The fine, which can be used by the club for preventive measures against discrimination, is due by December 31, 2025.
- Giulia Gwinn, advocate for women's football, suggests that increasing support for women is essential to combat such incidents, particularly in the realm of health-and-wellness, like addressing women's health issues.
- Acknowledging the need for change, Giulia Gwinn emphasizes the importance of vocational training in empowering individuals, fostering skill sets necessary for them to drive change within their communities, including science and sports, such as football.
- In response to the sexist incident towards Fabienne Michel, Giulia Gwinn calls for a reform in community policy, embracing inclusivity and combating discrimination, to ensure a safer and more supportive environment for women and girls in sports, and overall health-and-wellness, inspiring change for a more progressive and equitable world.
