Co-founder of organisation against sexism in football says more progress needed to tackle misogyny

A co-founder of an organisation against sexism in football says there needs to be more progress to tackle misogyny in the game in Scotland.

Saturdays are usually times in the week when thousands of fans across Scotland and beyond head to stadia to cheer on their beloved clubs.

But a survey by the Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) says that a quarter of female supporters have experienced misogynistic or sexist comments at matches, yet still feel safe.

Nearly half of those responding to the survey say they don't know who to turn to when it comes to reporting any abuse suffered.

Female fans say that they want to be taken seriously.

Although 79% of them say that they do feel welcome and represented by clubs, nearly half have seen sexist or misogynistic abuse, although it won't stop them attending, while more than a third say that they have received abuse online.

Many social media platforms, for example including Twitter where many football fans Tweet about their clubs, already have a range of options available to its users to block anyone causing problems and to report any concerns about someone's behaviour.

The SFSA has been working in partnership with Her Game Too (HGT), a female-fan orientated movement that was founded in England and two SPFL clubs, Heart of Midlothian and Montrose, have formed partnerships with HGT to help tackle sexism.

Andy Smith, chairman of the SFSA, says that there is still progress needed when it comes to looking after female fans, adding that the SFSA will continue to work with HGT and is asking the sport to take female football supporters more seriously.

Results coming from the survey come at a time when the women's game is also on the rise, as well as girls and women regularly attending men's games as well.

Anas Hassan has been listening to Eve Ralph, a co-founder of HGT, in an interview: