Rachel Anderson (football agent)

Rachel Anderson, of Essex, is the UK's first FIFA licensed woman football agent.

Background

In 1997 Anderson was not allowed to enter the Professional Footballers' Association Awards Dinner, which is widely considered the most prestigious award a football player can receive, specifically because she was a woman (the entry criteria was simply an invite—which Anderson possessed and yet she was still turned away).[1] Deputy chief executive Brendon Batson of the PFA admitted that he requested Anderson leave London's Grosvenor House Hotel where the event was held.[2] The next year, Anderson was again denied entry even after receiving an invitation from a player she represented ex-West Ham player Julian Dicks—who even wrote a letter to the PFA requesting Anderson attend.[3] In response to the letter, the PFA composed a written response and confirmed that Anderson could not attend because of her gender. Following the second denial, Anderson sued the PFA and won the case. Anderson, 41, was awarded damages of £7,500 and more than £45,000 in interim costs by Judge Brian Knight QC and there was a court order requiring Anderson to be admitted to the following year's dinner.[4][2] In 2013, Anderson was the first woman honoured at the union's annual awards night in 106 years.[4]

Career

Anderson represented notable players Don Hutchison, Julian Dicks, Michael Hughes, Joe Royle and more than 50 football players over her career, helping them negotiate their contracts. She named her business RA Management. She has also represented companies such as Universal and Paramount, and worked on brands such as Superman and Bugs Bunny. She represents clients internationally.[5]

In 1993, Anderson negotiated the trade of Julian Dicks from the West Ham to Liverpool (£3 million).[6]

Sexism

As one of the only women in her field, Anderson documents frequent experiences of sexism. One chairman reportedly told her that "women should be barefoot and pregnant and shouldn't be in a boardroom."[7][5]

Court case

Anderson received support from Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the TUC and Tony Banks and Graham Kelly, who both boycotted the dinner. She hired lawyer John Bowers, QC, who argued that the policy violated section 29 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, which states that people cannot be barred from entering public events due to their gender. Using the letter, and the PFA's own statements in regards to Anderson's entry to support their claim.

Anderson reportedly tried to resolve the lawsuit out of court, but the PFA was adamant that their policy did not violate any laws. Their argument was that the event was actually private and not public, meaning the statute did not apply to the situation. Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, stated, "The PFA awards dinner has been a men-only evening for the 25 years since its inception and the PFA management committee have made a decision that it should remain so[...] Wherever possible we attempt to be progressive. I do not consider the policy of the management committee on this matter to be regressive ... As a matter of fact you are the only one of our members who has written to ask a female guest to accompany them in 25 years."[8]

The case went to Central London County Court and Anderson won the discrimination suit, deciding that because there were over 1000 attendees, tickets could be bought in some public places, and football players were permitted to bring guests, that the event was indeed public and that denying Anderson entry was a violation of the Sex Discrimination Act.

In response to the ruling, Julie Mellor, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, stated, "Women are represented across all professions, including sport, and it is scandalous that any organisation should think it acceptable to bar women from functions connected with their working life. We hope that other organisations will take note of this decision and realise that these anachronisms should be abolished."

Personal life

Anderson made a significant amount of money via property sales. She currently lives in Greenwich, South London with her husband, John of 30 years. Anderson has two children Natasha and James.

References

  1. ↑ "Football agent recounts appalling experiences of sexism". offtheball.com. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  2. 1 2 "Soccer agent wins sexism case". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  3. ↑ Chaudhary, Vivek (1999-08-03). "Woman agent challenges footballers over dinner ban". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  4. 1 2 Kessel, Anna (2013-04-27). "Agent of change Rachel Anderson gains entry to a man's world – the PFA". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  5. 1 2 Neil, Beth (2005-12-09). "AGENT RACHEL ANDERSON TELLS HOW SHE TOOK ON FOOTBALL'S BIG BOYS". Mirror. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  6. ↑ Bailey, Mark (2013-08-09). "The truth about football agents". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  7. ↑ "Woman football agent in sex row". The Independent. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
  8. ↑ "Female football agent ruled offside". The Independent. Retrieved 2018-07-28.
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