Chelsea and England midfielder Fran Kirby has spoken out about body image and abuse on social media, saying that while toxic criticism from fans is linked to the rising profile of women's football, negative comments are “difficult” to read.
“It's really important to emphasize that, of course, we are professional athletes and we have to be fit to play our sport, but body shape does not determine whether you are fit enough,” Kirby told the BBC.
“Many people see athletes as robots.”
“I've been at the end of the comments and so have my teammates. It's a problem, but I don't think it's just a problem for women's football. I think it's bigger than that.”
One in five players was subjected to online abuse during the 2023 Women's World Cup, FIFA said last month as a suite of social media protection tools concealed nearly 117,000 comments.
More than 150 players received discriminatory, abusive or threatening messages during the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
A knee injury kept Kirby, 30, out of the Women's World Cup, one of a series of physical issues throughout her career, including a heart condition she was diagnosed with in 2020, and the layoffs have sparked comment. negative about her. weight.
“Coming back from an injury, you're not going to be in the best shape of your life,” he said. “A few years ago it was quite hard for me after my heart disease. I was out for a while and had gained a bit of weight because physically I couldn't do anything.
“It's not like we train for a week and suddenly you're completely fit and ready to go. It was hard to read those comments.”
Missing the World Cup was heartbreaking, but Kirby said she was proud of her England teammates who lost to Spain in the final.
“Of course, missing a World Cup is not a pleasant feeling at all, there was always that feeling inside me, wishing I was there,” he said. “But I made a decision very early [after knee surgery] I wasn't going to let that get to me. “I didn't feel like that would do me any good.”
Since returning from her knee injury, Kirby has made eight appearances in the Women's Super League for Chelsea, who top the standings, three points ahead of Manchester City.
Kirby has scored 103 goals in all competitions for Chelsea since joining the club in 2015. She has six months left on her contract and said there have been no talks with the club, but feels she can still be a key player.
“I want to continue playing football and continue playing football at a high level,” he said. “I still feel like I have a lot to give wherever I am, whether it's at Chelsea or somewhere else. But I love the club.”
