Women's football: From bans to triumphs - the eventful history!

Women's football: From bans to triumphs - the eventful history!

What a story of women in football! Women's football has developed from prejudice and bans to a globally celebrated sport. It is particularly regrettable that in 1955 the German Football Association (DFB) banned clubs from offering women's football in order to protect women from the “rough sport”. A ban that was finally lifted in 1970, but the effects were long-lasting. That's what she reports ARD media library.

Historically, the fight for women's football has not been an easy one. On July 30, 1955, the DFB decided at its Bundestag in Berlin that women's football would be banned nationwide and that referees would not be allowed to referee women's football. Reasons such as “aesthetic considerations” were brought into play. Dr. Hubert Claessen criticized the conservative “corps spirit” of the delegates. However, such opposition did not stop women from continuing to play football. Outsider girls like Ursula Graeve helped found clubs, and in 1956 the DFC Rhenania was founded in Essen.

Women's football on the way to recognition

Despite the DFB ban, women organized themselves and organized their own championships. The beginnings were tough; The first women's football club, founded in 1930 by 19-year-old Lotte Specht, had to fend off insults and stones. The DFB also declared in 1936 that football was not suitable for women and enthusiasm for the sport was suppressed. But the trend reversed.

After the Second World War, women's football flourished, and by the end of the 1960s between 40,000 and 60,000 women and girls were actively playing football in Germany. The DFB ban fell in 1970, and the first official championship took place the following year.

A step into the spotlight

Today, female soccer players like Megan Rapinoe are icons who not only stand up for sport, but also for equality and against the sexualization of female bodies. On the occasion of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 in Switzerland, the exhibition “SHE CAN KICK IT!” presented. This show includes impressive artistic photo series by photographers such as Susan Meiselas as well as private photos by national player Laura Freigang. An event that brings the history of women's football into focus and highlights the ongoing challenges.

The development of women's football shows that women prevail against resistance and have institutionalized their passion for the sport. Yes, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve equality in sport, especially in terms of playing opportunities and rewards. In today's world, women's football is finally recognized and celebrated as part of the sporting world.

The history of women's football is an impressive example of the tireless fight for equality and recognition in sport. Even though the DFB exerted its influence, the resilience of the players showed that they cannot be pushed into the shadows. The time has come to keep fighting and shine the spotlight on women in football!