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Both FIFA and the Football Association of the UK have a shameful past, but nothing compares to the appalling and discriminatory treatment of women’s football in the previous century. This mistreatment reached its peak after the incredible triumph of the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico, an independent event held outside of FIFA’s formal authority. These events are thoroughly analyzed and compellingly presented in this thought-provoking documentary.
In 1970, the first Women’s World Cup was organized by an independent women’s football association in Italy, with support from Martini vermouth. The following year, they hosted the ambitious Copa 71 in Mexico, with matches held in two national stadiums beyond the control of Fifa: Guadalajara’s Jalisco stadium and Mexico City’s Azteca stadium. The overwhelming crowds and energetic atmosphere were remarkable. Our society’s biased perception of football makes the footage of the crowds at Copa 71 seem like a distorted vision of reality. However, afterwards, both the FA and Fifa actively worked to erase the event’s success from memory and repress the women’s achievements by limiting their access to venues and resources.
The film reveals that throughout the 20th century, those in positions of power had an excessive amount of mistrust towards women’s football, despite evidence that it could attract a large audience. They spread baseless theories that playing football was detrimental to women’s health and that it was not profitable, despite evidence contradicting these claims. Their attitudes were fueled by a prejudiced view based on social class in addition to their misogyny. The movie features interviews with international players from teams involved in the Copa 71, providing an enjoyable experience listening to their recollections. Among them is Carol Wilson from Britain, who was treated unfairly by the mediocre men in charge, as experienced by many others in the sport.
Copa 71 is a groundbreaking allegory with political themes that extends beyond the realm of football. It presents the idea of a potential alternate reality, one that not only could have been feasible but also once existed. Unfortunately, this story was overlooked, but it has now been revived in this thought-provoking and captivating film.
Source: theguardian.com
