David Beckham and the Prince of Wales accused of sexism after congratulating England women’s team

A feminist group have accused David Beckham and Prince William of being sexist after they used their daughters in congratulatory messages to the England Women’s Football Team.

The post-Women’s World Cup period continues to make the headlines, and all for the wrong reasons. The issues going on away from the pitch - Luis Rubiales forceful kiss on Jenni Hermoso - continues to swirl over Spain as it has done for days.

And now, England may be embroiled in controversy too, as the femenist group MFW have accused both David Beckham and Prince William of being “openly sexist” for using their daughters, Harper and Charlotte, respectively, in publications in which they gave their support to the Lionesses before and after their defeat to Olga Carmona’s Spain.

‘No way on earth’ the same would happen for the men’s team, say the group

The organisation demands that both figures publicly rectify their behaviour for not including any of their sons in the videos. “It’s still considered undesirable and even icky that boys might have female role models or be cheering for a women’s team. If you don’t believe this, imagine that the men’s English football team were into a final: there’s no way on earth those men would feature only sons in any video message and not their daughters, too”, said the group.

“Because daughters are expected to cheer for men AND women, while sons are not” they continued, “a lot of people will see this issue as minor, but it isn’t. It’s called a micro-aggression, which women and people in oppressed groups experience every day of their lives.”

Prince of Wales ‘patronising’ towards Lionesses

The group also said that the phrase used by the Prince of Wales, “go out and enjoy yourselves”, was patronising and would never have been said to the men’s side.

“Micro-aggressions are small acts of sexism, racism, homo/transphobia and ableism which, over time, grind down the confidence and self-belief of people in those groups. It’s a huge slap in the face to the women in the team and ALL women, and proves just how far there is still to go in improving the status of women’s sport and all women’s endeavours everywhere”, the group said.

The Prince of Wales did not attend the final, neither did the Prime Minister of the UK. Meanwhile, David Beckham has had to respond to critics over claims that MLS games are ‘fixed’ in favour of his side.