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As the Premier League began its 2022-23 season to much fanfare on Friday evening in London, an Arsenal banner flying over Selhurst Park reminded fans of the darker side of top-level sports.
Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 in the opening match of the Premier League season on Friday. As the match began, a plane carrying a large banner flew over the stadium, calling for rapists to be kicked off the pitch.
Arsenal Banner vs. Crystal Palace
A plane flying a sign "Kick Rapists off the Pitch" before the Palace Arsenal match at Selhurst Park! pic.twitter.com/9QhSlVTNxw
— Isaac Fanin (@isaac_fanin) August 5, 2022
The banner was paid for by Arsenal fans with support from We Level Up, a group fighting for gender justice and bodily autonomy as part of a campaign to fight sexual violence, especially from Premier League footballers.
We’re not waiting any more. We’ve petitioned. We’ve written open letters. We’ve done meetings. We’ll be more direct.
It’s long overdue that Premier League clubs confront a culture of impunity, complicity and silence around rape in football.Credit: @jondbarker pic.twitter.com/nTI9JTqm4N
— Level Up (@we_level_up) August 5, 2022
These are up around Selhurst Park, too. pic.twitter.com/78AbmHkKYp
— Tahir Anderson Duckett (@TahirDuckett) August 5, 2022
✈️ A banner has been flown over Selhurst Park in protest at violence against women.
It was organised by feminist campaign @we_level_up, & paid for by #AFC fans, who want club to lead the way on this issue in Premier League.Story for @TheAthleticUK ⬇️ https://t.co/zEwJXQsnLc
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) August 5, 2022
The “kick rapists off the pitch” campaign comes after reports the Premier League will not suspend an unnamed player who is facing multiple rape charges.
Though that player’s name has not been officially revealed, most fans think they know who the culprit is based on online reports, and Crystal Palace fans booed every touch from Arsenal starting midfielder Thomas Partey.
Thomas Partey is being booed every time he is on the ball here.
— Rahman osman (@iamrahmanosman) August 5, 2022
Sexual violence is top of mind in the Premier League right now, with Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy facing eight charges of rape and former Manchester United player Ryan Giggs forced out as the Wales coach over domestic violence charges. It’s a sad aspect of high-level professional sports and there are countless examples in American football (just google Deshaun Watson or Baylor football program).
Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal Highlights
As for the match itself, Arsenal won 2-0 thanks to a header from Gabriel Martinelli and an own goal by Marc Guehi.
Arsenal strike first off the corner kick!
Zinchenko heads it across to Gabriel Martinelli who heads it home. Arsenal lead 1-0.: @USA_Network & @NBCUniverso #CRYARS | #AFC pic.twitter.com/x8Wb9ZbhfE
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 5, 2022
Bukayo Saka hits a hard ball across the box and forces an own goal by Marc Guehi.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 5, 2022
