MILLIE BRIGHT says speaking out about the abuse she received from a fan was prompted by her wish to protect players who have been through similar ordeals.
And the Chelsea and England star wants supporters of the women’s game to see footballers as “human” and “not items”.
Millie Bright and her England team-mates are in Portugal preparing for their Women’s Nations League games this month[/caption]
This month Lioness centre-back spoke out on being the target of an expletive-laden insult from fan at a WSL game[/caption]
Bright, who is in Portugal ahead of the Lionesses’ upcoming Nations League games, was reflecting on being the target of expletive-laden insults from a fan at a WSL game.
The England vice-captain said a supporter who had attended Chelsea’s away duel with Aston Villa had made the remark after her for pictures and autograph.
In an online post shared via her Instagram account following the incident, Bright recalled being ”hugely disappointed.”
While the centre-back usually has “good responses” and interaction with supporters she hopes they treat female players will respect
Bright, who is preparing to face Portugal in the Nations League tomorrow, said: “If there is a message to be sent, it is that we are human.
“We are somebody’s partner and somebody’s daughter. We are not items.
“Nobody owns us. We own ourselves and that needs to be reminded and told.”
Reflecting on how she felt immediately after being the target of insults from a supporter, Bright added: “In the moment I didn’t actually do anything. I was really taken aback and disappointed.
“That was the biggest thing. Football is opinionated and everyone can have one. I wasn’t actually bothered about the opinion of my performance.
“It was more the fact I had gone to the fans to give my time, give signatures and inspire the next generation and say hi to little ones.
“To give that time and to try to have a genuine conversation and to then be disrespected afterwards immediately, I just thought ‘I’m here off my own back.’.
“I thought ‘I’m so glad it was me and not one of my team-mates, a youngster, or someone going through something that nobody knew about.’
“We go out to play for our fans every single game – whether that’s with our clubs or countries – and we want to make everyone proud.
“We’re trying to inspire the next generation.
“I’ve heard of a couple of situations that players went through where they maybe didn’t feel strong enough to speak out.
“You don’t deserve to be disrespected, especially not when you have given your time and efforts after a game.”
England will play Portugal at Portimao Stadium on February 21 in their first Women’s Nations League fixture this year[/caption]
“Ultimately, I wanted to protect my team and let them know that if they need to speak out, they have a right to.
If there is a message to be sent, it is that we are human.
“We are somebody’s partner and somebody’s daughter. We are not items. Nobody owns us. We own ourselves and that needs to be reminded and told.”
