Record-Breaking Women’s World Cup Unveiled in Copa 71 Film
In 1971, an unofficial women’s football World Cup took place in Mexico, attracting crowds of over 100,000 people. However, this historic event was quickly erased from history. Now, a new film called Copa 71 tells the remarkable story of the tournament and the disappointment that followed.
A Parallel Universe
For the English players, arriving in Mexico was like being “launched into a parallel universe.” Captain Carol Wilson recalls how they were used to being obstructed, overlooked, and ridiculed at home. They played on park pitches with only a handful of spectators. The ban on women’s football had just been lifted by the Football Association after 50 years. The players were unprepared for the reception they received in Mexico.
Treated Like Superstars
Hundreds of Mexican fans and photographers were waiting for the English team upon their arrival. They went from being virtually unknown to being treated like superstars. Crowds waited for their autographs, camped outside their hotel, and mobbed their team coach. The public took them straight to their hearts, following them everywhere. It was an overwhelming and unforgettable experience for the players.
A Glimpse of Equality and Popularity
The tournament, known as Mexico 1971, offered women from different nations a taste of equality and popularity that they had been denied back home. Although no official attendance figures exist, it is estimated that the final match was watched by over 100,000 people, making it the best-attended women’s sporting event in history. The success of the tournament was ironic since FIFA had tried to block it. Their ban forced the organizers to find stadiums not controlled by the Mexican football federation, resulting in the use of Mexico’s two largest venues. The matches were televised, and footage from the tournament has not been seen for over 50 years.
A Different Kind of Sports Documentary
The documentary, Copa 71, narrated by tennis legend Serena Williams and executive produced by Williams and her sister Venus, aims to shed light on this forgotten tournament. Co-director Rachel Ramsay explains that the film offers a unique perspective by focusing on women’s football and the experiences of the players. It breaks away from the traditional sports documentary format and does not root for a particular team or player. Ramsay hopes that this film will be the start of a new genre of women’s sports films, telling stories from the perspective of women in their 70s.
A Disappointing Return
Once the tournament was over, the participants faced disappointment and setbacks. The English team’s manager, Harry Batt, was blacklisted by the Women’s Football Association, which was in the process of forming the first official England team. Some players were also banned. The success of Mexico 1971 threatened the male footballing authorities, who saw women’s football as a threat to their power and control. The memory of the event was buried for decades, and the potential for women’s football was suppressed.
An Emotional Journey
Copa 71 has received glowing reviews after its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. Reviewers praised the film for exposing a hidden chapter in history and giving these heroes the recognition they deserve. For Carol Wilson, watching the film was an emotional experience that transported her back to 1971. The film brought back memories tinged with sadness, as it highlighted the banishment of their manager and the secrecy surrounding their story. However, the film has finally brought their story to light.
Looking Ahead
Recent World Cups and Euros have started to fulfill the potential for women’s football, but there is still a sense that progress could have been made much sooner. The growth of women’s football has been extraordinary in recent years, but there is still ground to be covered. The release of Copa 71 is a significant step in recognizing the importance and impact of women’s football and hopes to inspire more films and stories about women in sports.
Copa 71 will be released in UK cinemas on Friday, 8 March, giving audiences the opportunity to learn about this record-breaking, yet forgotten, women’s World Cup.