Women's Football‼️👩: Chelsea Women's manager Sonia Bompastor is embracing the pressure of being the team to beat in the WSL, and Sam Kerr has been subjected to homophobic online abuse.

Women’s Football‼️👩: Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor is embracing the pressure of being the team to beat in the WSL, and Sam Kerr has been subjected to homophobic online abuse.

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Homophobic abuse of Kerr and Mewis ‘crazy’ – Bompastor

Media caption,

Homophobic abuse of Kerr and Mewis ‘crazy’ – Bompastor

Published

19 November 2024

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor said “it’s just crazy for me to understand how people can react like this” about the homophobic comments aimed at Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis after the couple said they are expecting a baby.

On Monday, Chelsea striker Kerr announced the pregnancy of her partner, West Ham midfielder Mewis, on her Instagram account.

The post contained photographs of the couple with the caption: “Mewis-Kerr baby coming 2025!”

Homophobic comments were left on the post by some users.

“I just want to support Sam. I fully support her,” said Bompastor at a news conference before Chelsea’s Champions League tie against Celtic on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).

“This is just unacceptable to have these kinds of comments, especially in 2024.

“It’s just crazy for me to understand how people can react like this.

“I just want to focus on the positives and give all my support to Sam and Kristie. We are really proud and really happy for them.

“As a mum I cannot think about anything else. As a woman, to have the opportunity to become a mum, that’s the best news you can have in your life.”

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES

Image caption,

Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis are expecting their first child

On Tuesday, Chelsea issued a statement about the “unacceptable and hateful homophobic comments”.

“There is no place in society for any form of discrimination and we will not accept any abuse directed towards our players, staff or supporters,” it added.

“We are extremely proud to be a diverse, inclusive club that celebrates and welcomes people from all cultures, communities and identities.”

Mewis’ club West Ham echoed Chelsea’s condemnation of the abuse.

“We urge social media platforms to take greater accountability in tackling ongoing and sustained discriminatory abuse online,” the Hammers told BBC Sport.

“We would like to focus on celebrating this special moment with Kristie and her partner Sam, and to share our heartfelt wishes to the both of them on their pregnancy news.”

Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright was alongside Bompastor at the news conference and said they are “really happy” for Kerr and Mewis.

“Seeing the joy it brings for both of them – this is what we’re put on earth for,” added Bright.

“We don’t have the time of day for certain comments. Our focus is on spreading happiness, being there for one another and supporting each other regardless of their situation.”

Bright added that she would like to see “more done” by social media companies and football authorities when it comes to abuse on social media platforms.

“There shouldn’t be any room in this world for comments like that and behaviour such as that. I just totally disagree with it,” said Bright.

“I’d like to see more done about it. I’ve always said social media can be the best thing or the worst thing in the world and that if I wasn’t a footballer I’d come off social media in a heartbeat.

“There’s things that you can do to block out the negative side of it. It’s a real shame because it should be a place where people share memories and share their joys in life.

“I’d like to share my family – they’re the biggest thing in my life. [But] you do have that tiny little niggle in your head thinking ‘are they going to get abused?’ You shouldn’t have to live like that. I don’t quite understand it to be honest.”

‘Another reminder of how far society has to go’

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Women’s Football Weekly podcast, former Arsenal, Manchester City and Scotland defender Jen Beattie said: “It still saddens me to this day that we know how progressive the women’s game is and how much the men’s side isn’t. It’s still fuelled by homophobic comments, racial comments.

“As much as we know how much sport can be a positive impact on so many people, it’s still so frustrating that social media platforms allow that level of hate to be given to players.

“It’s another reminder of how social media platforms need to be held more accountable for the hate thrown at people as human beings, regardless of their sexuality or race. I think it’s another reminder of how far society has to go.”

When asked about the incident during a news conference on Tuesday, England manager Sarina Wiegman said: “It is very, very disappointing. I’m really happy for them. They look really happy and I hope it all goes well.”

Chelsea Pride, an LGBTQ+ supporters’ group, condemned the comments via X.

“It’s heartbreaking and infuriating to see social media flooded with hateful comments when we should be celebrating love, pride, and unity,” it said.

Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, said it takes “bullying and harassment situations seriously” but it is “a unique challenge and one of the most complex issues to address because context is critical”.

It added: “We’re always creating new resources and tools, and revising policies with expert help to continually tackle the issue.”

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Women’s Football‼️👩: Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor is embracing the pressure of being the team to beat in the WSL, and Sam Kerr has been subjected to homophobic online abuse.

Women’s Football‼️👩: Chelsea Women’s manager Sonia Bompastor is embracing the pressure of being the team to beat in the WSL, and Sam Kerr has been subjected to homophobic online abuse.

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