On Sunday, March 9th, during the FA Women’s Cup match at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Arsenal, thanks to an own goal by Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar in the 78th minute.
While Liverpool celebrated a hard-fought win, the joy of the occasion was marred by an appalling incident of sexual harassment directed at Liverpool vice captain Taylor Hinds by a spectator.
But before we dive deep into the traumatic experience, let’s get to know Hinds first.
Who is Taylor Hinds?
Early Life and Youth Career
Taylor Jasmine Hinds was born on April 25, 1999, in Northampton, England. She began playing football at the age of 10 with Northampton Town. Her talent was quickly recognized by an Arsenal scout, leading to her inclusion in the club’s junior squad.
Club Career
Hinds made her senior debut for Arsenal in 2017 during a 7-0 victory over London Bees in the FA WSL Cup, coming on as a substitute for Emma Mitchell in the 46th minute. Despite being part of Arsenal’s squad, she did not make any league appearances for the club.
In January 2018, she moved to Everton, joining teammate Chloe Kelly, who was already on loan at the club. During her time with Everton, she made 24 appearances but did not register any goals.
In July 2020, Hinds signed with Liverpool, a move that would define the next phase of her career. She played a key role in the club’s FA Women’s Championship-winning campaign in 2021-22. In January 2022, she extended her contract with Liverpool, solidifying her role within the squad. By spring 2023, she was named vice-captain of the team, stepping in as captain in the absence of Niamh Fahey. Since joining Liverpool, she has made 93 appearances and scored 7 goals.
International Career
Hinds is eligible to represent both England and Jamaica at the international level. She initially played for England at various youth levels, making 20 appearances and scoring 11 goals for the U17 team. In 2018, she was part of the England squad that finished in third place at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
In 2024, Hinds made her senior international debut for Jamaica, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Playing Style and Position
Hinds is a versatile player who can operate as a full-back or in midfield. Her agility, technical ability, and defensive awareness make her a key player for Liverpool. She wears the number 12 jersey for the club.
Achievements and Honors
- FA Women’s Championship Winner (2021-22) with Liverpool
- FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup (Third Place, 2018) with England
As a rising star in women’s football, Taylor Hinds continues to make an impact both at the club and international levels, demonstrating resilience and leadership throughout her career.
Harassment Incident and Immediate Response
During the game, Hinds sustained a head injury and was receiving medical attention on the pitch when a member of the crowd allegedly made sexually inappropriate remarks towards her. Stadium stewards promptly removed the individual from the premises, and an investigation is now underway.
Liverpool FC quickly released an official statement condemning the incident and standing in full support of their player:
“LFC condemns all forms of discrimination, and we continue to work all year round through our Red Together program to campaign against it. All players now and in the future should have the knowledge that our pitches and stadiums are safe places to play football. We thank Taylor for immediately raising this issue to her teammates and everyone at Arsenal for the swift actions. We will fully support the ongoing investigation.”
Hinds also spoke out about the distressing experience:
“Yesterday was an intense game and emotions were high, including for the fans, but that did not give anyone the right to subject me to that kind of behavior while down from a head injury. I am there doing the job I love, and to carry on playing with that in the back of my mind was hard. All current women’s players and I are playing the sport we love and should be able to do so without fearing such occurrences. Every young girl out there hoping and dreaming of becoming a footballer should know that she can do so safely and happily. I will not let the actions of one individual ruin what was a fantastic day for the team and our supporters. But it is not okay, and I was determined to make a stand.
Hinds also talked about how the traumatic experience had affected his family by stating,
It was hard for my mom and dad to not realize what was going on and to find out later that something was being shouted at their daughter during a game of football. I am doing fine and would like to thank my teammates and everyone at Liverpool for having my back, as well as the match officials for the swift actions and everyone at Arsenal for their assertive actions and backing. Together, we can continue to make our sport better both now and for the years to come.”
Later on Arsenal reported that they have also launched an official investigation of their own as well stating,
We are investigating inappropriate comments made by an individual towards Liverpool’s Taylor Hinds during our FA Cup quarterfinal on Sunday. The supporter was ejected from the ground during the game after the incident was brought to our attention. Our investigation is ongoing with relevant stakeholders, and we offer our full support to Taylor throughout this time. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and discrimination of any kind and remain committed to taking strong action against such behavior.
Support from Football Community
England and Arsenal star Leah Williamson voiced her support for Hinds, condemning the inappropriate behavior. She wrote on Instagram:
“This behavior is not okay, and there is absolutely no place for it in our environment. Not Taylor, not anybody should have to put up with it.”
The Women’s FA Cup also issued a strong statement:
“We stand with Taylor Hinds and offer her our full support. All players should have the freedom to play the game without the worry of discrimination and abuse. There is no place for it in football.”
A Wider Issue in Women’s Football
The incident involving Hinds is not an isolated case. Just last month, Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw faced racist and misogynistic abuse after a 4-3 defeat to Arsenal in the Women’s Super League. Shaw subsequently withdrew from City’s League Cup semi-final on February 8th to protect her mental well-being. City manager Gareth Taylor stated:
“We are right behind her as a club. Let’s see how she is over the next couple of days, and we can go from there.”
Manchester City confirmed that the abusive content directed at Shaw was reported to the relevant authorities and that an investigation would be conducted. Shaw, 28, chose not to share the messages publicly to avoid giving attention to the perpetrators.
Other female footballers, including Gabby Nunez and Khadija, have also faced similar forms of abuse. These incidents highlight a concerning trend of harassment and discrimination in women’s football, underscoring the urgent need for stricter measures to ensure the safety and well-being of players.
The Need for Action
The harassment faced by Taylor Hintz, Bunny Shaw, and other female footballers is a stark reminder that sexism and discrimination still plague the sport. Clubs, governing bodies, and fans must work together to eradicate such behavior. Stricter enforcement of bans on offenders, educational campaigns, and stronger institutional support for players are necessary steps toward making football a safe and inclusive space for all.
This is a defining moment for football, and it is crucial that the football community continues to stand in solidarity with affected players and pushes for meaningful change. Together, we can ensure that no footballer, regardless of gender, has to endure such abuse while playing the game they love.
