There is one obvious reason why women play on the size of pitches and goals that we see now. That is what we were given. And maybe no one ever thought to question whether it makes sense.
But if you look at some other sports, someone must have decided one day that, actually, it would be daft to get women — average height in the UK 5ft 3in compared with 5ft 9in for men — to run over the same sprint hurdles in the Olympics. The women’s hurdles were made to be nine inches shorter, 33in compared with 42.
Sukanya Chor Charoenying, the Thailand goalkeeper, is 5ft 5in and was beaten 13 times Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images
In women’s basketball, women use a smaller ball. I’m no expert on that particular sport but I imagine someone felt that with smaller hands, and less…
begravelsespolka on June 15th, 2019 at 12:13 UTC »
It's a bit weird, I remember the Norwegian NT goalkeeper said to the media that she did not support Emma Hayes' opinion because "we compensate for other physical preconditions" and "we see having more physical disadvantage as a motivator".
At the same time, Norwegian researchers measured the equivalent goal and pitch sizes men would have to play with to have the same physical challenges women has in today's standard, and showed pretty damn clearly that women currently have a huge disadvantage physically which very well can impact the overall quality of the game.
Not sure why Emma Hayes' suggestions is that controversial to be honest. Many other sports has different standards between men and women.
interfan1999 on June 15th, 2019 at 11:34 UTC »
Exactly, Japan's first goal against Scotland yesterday is a proof of why she's right.
VoidMahoney on June 15th, 2019 at 11:29 UTC »
Like half the goalies in the WC can't even reach the bar.