BERLIN (AP) — After naming Marie-Louise Eta first female head coach Union Berlin, in Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues, said it “stands behind” clubs condemning sexist comments on social media.
Eta’s first time Bundesliga The match will be against Wolfsburg on Saturday. Already, negative comments have been posted on social media suggesting that she is not suitable for the job because she is a woman.
“With all due respect, this is sexism,” the union’s account on X responded to a post claiming players wouldn’t take women’s instructions on tactics seriously. Etta is a long-standing member of the club’s coaching staff; assistant Appointed head coach of the men’s team and U-19 team.
She labeled another comment “sexist” claiming that male coaches who lost to her would lose face.
In response to comments expressing concern about Eta’s treatment and potential sexist backlash if she loses the match, the club posted that “Union’s family is rooting for her.”
Eta has been appointed interim manager for the remaining five games of the season as Union aim to remain in the Bundesliga next season. Union previously announced that she would become the head coach of the club’s women’s team next season.
Eta’s appointment drew praise from Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, who called the decision “a strong signal for women in professional football and elite-level sport,” but misspelled Eta’s name in the process. The club corrected him. “We were very overwhelmed,” Wegner responded.
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