World Champion Bresonik about football

World Champion Linda Bresonik complains that football is still too male-dominated. And she is annoyed with who is allowed to speak on talk shows.

Mrs. Bresonik, the 2018 World Cup is over – what has stuck in your memory?

Linda Bresonik: For me, such an unceremonious elimination of the German national team. Their performance shocked and disappointed me. Everything was lacking: commitment, fight, will. No team played with such a minor commitment as the German one.

Did the photo with Erdoğan, Özil, and Gündoğan cause too much stress within the team?

For sure. It surprised me that DFB had not taken any measures in that case. It should not have allowed Özil to be the only person who did not turn up on this media day and did not comment on the incident. What Bierhoff said about Ozil in retrospect is simply poor. You can always just make it worse for a person already down and out if something went wrong. Before the tournament started, DFB should have done something.

Would the Association have acted the same way if it concerned women?

I cannot judge that, but in my time, DFB acted always consistently if something gained publicity.

Are women footballers more politically engaged than men?

Definitely. Before, when we had sat together at the breakfast or lunch table, we had touched upon various issues. Almost all of us studied and worked simultaneously. That fact alone tells me that many female players are interested in politics.

You are the World Champion of 2003 and 2007 – and today work in Office for Gender Equality in Dusseldorf. Is there anything sort of equality between women and men in football?

We are talking about the same sport, so we should treat everyone alike. But from my experience, the situation is altogether different. It is a completely different business. There is a huge disbalance, we are miles away from equality.

Is that because of money?

That is one of the aspects. Football has turned into an insane business: social media, all advertising campaigns. For instance, some clubs cooperate with Nivea and some with Rewe. It often seems to me as if all this is more important.

Nevertheless, women’s opinions on football are considered to be less expert. Why is that still so distinct?

Football is sport number 1 in Germany – and absolutely dominated by men. This is symbolically evidenced by physical constitution, strength and toughness. This image is associated with men rather than women in the society.

Even during TV expert sessions, women were particularly noticeable for their absence. They can sit with Philipp Lahm by Tegernsee or hop about Red Square with a microphone but rarely analyze a match – why?

Regrettably, women are considered just a "decorative accessory" in many spheres. Have a look who serves guests in the boxes: women in short skirts. In men's football, a female expert opinion does not interest anyone unfortunately.

Men hardly have to make an effort to be heard.

Like Mario Basler. He achieved just not too much in his football career. Nevertheless, he is invited to dozens of talk shows – of course, because he says things that can excite everyone, but also because he is automatically credited with an expert view. Being a woman, you have to become the World Champion a few times to be noticed.

Former German national striker Célia Šašić was sitting with Mario Basler in the round on ARD program "Harsh but fair" but promptly hailed criticism on herself for this appearance.

Then it results in the following: when a woman appears as an expert, absurd criteria are applied to her.

As with ZDF commentator Claudia Neumann...

Some male colleagues could really learn a thing or two from her competence. Moreover, a man, facing her experience and extensive knowledge of the subject, would not comment on his first World Cup match in his mid-fifties.

What is going to happen?

Everything depends on the demand. As long as men perform so much better, we will still talk about the same things in 20 years. All the women who play in the Bundesliga should have the opportunity to do it as true professionals. Those who are not playing for Wolfsburg or Bayern Munich now still work today. If female players could concentrate completely on the football, their performance would be better. And then, the matter of payment must be adjusted.

Source: taz