The Pedestal and the Problem: Analyzing the Media Treatment of Sexist and Sexual Violence in Sports

For decades, the trajectory of the elite athlete has been one of ascent. Through a magnifying glass of constant media coverage, sports stars have been transformed into modern-day heroes—demi-gods whose physical prowess often grants them a perceived moral immunity. But what happens when those same figures are accused of sexist and sexual violence? Do they actually fall from their pedestals, or does the system simply move the pedestal to hide the cracks?

Here’s the central question posed by Medjaline Mhiri and Clothilde Le Coz in their new book, La Zone d’impunité, Enquête sur le traitement médiatique des violences sexistes et sexuelles dans le sport (The Zone of Impunity: An Investigation into the Media Treatment of Sexist and Sexual Violence in Sport), published by Hugo Doc. The perform serves as a sobering critique of how the French sports media and governing bodies handle allegations of abuse, suggesting that the highly people tasked with reporting the news may be contributing to a culture of silence.

A Pattern of Complacency

The scale of the issue is not anecdotal; it is systemic. According to the research conducted by Mhiri and Le Coz, at least 110 high-level athletes—either French nationals or those competing within France—have faced accusations of sexist and/or sexual violence since 2004. When you look at that number, the conversation shifts from “isolated incidents” to a documented pattern.

The authors argue that the treatment of these cases by both sports authorities and specialized journalists reveals a deep-seated complacency. Rather than rigorous scrutiny, there is often a tendency to protect the “asset”—the athlete—over the victim. This creates what they term a “zone of impunity,” where the prestige of the athlete acts as a shield against accountability.

The list of names associated with such accusations is long and spans various disciplines. High-profile examples cited include Achraf Hakimi and Mason Greenwood, as well as Yannick Agnel and rugby players such as Jegou and Auradou. In each instance, the tension between the athlete’s public image and the gravity of the allegations tests the integrity of the reporting process.

The “Boys Club” Architecture

To understand why this impunity exists, Mhiri and Le Coz point to the very foundation of organized sports. They argue that, historically, sport was created by and for men, specifically designed to celebrate male virility. This origin story has evolved into a modern “boys club” mentality, where patriarchy isn’t just a byproduct but a structural feature of the athletic world.

In this environment, the bonds between male athletes, coaches, and the journalists who cover them can become dangerously tight. When a champion is at risk of being ejected from their position of power, a defensive system often activates. This system operates not just in the boardrooms of sports federations, but within the pages of newspapers and the segments of sports broadcasts.

For the global reader, this is a familiar narrative. Whether it is in the NFL, the NBA, or European football, the “protection of the star” often outweighs the pursuit of justice. The “boys club” doesn’t just protect the athlete; it protects the image of the sport itself, under the mistaken belief that exposing the truth will damage the game.

Media: Reporter or Accomplice?

The most provocative aspect of La Zone d’impunité is its direct challenge to the press. The authors question a blunt question: Are the media actually part of the problem?

The investigation examines the specific mechanics of sports journalism: the angles chosen for a story, the specific words used to describe an accusation, and the selection of experts or interlocutors brought in to comment. When a journalist uses softening language to describe sexual violence or prioritizes the athlete’s “career trajectory” over the survivor’s testimony, they are not just reporting the news—they are framing the narrative to maintain the status quo.

This specialized reporting often differs from general news coverage. While a general news reporter might approach a sexual assault allegation with a legal or social lens, a sports journalist may view it through the lens of “team chemistry” or “performance impact,” effectively dehumanizing the victim and centering the athlete’s professional inconvenience.

Cracks in the Omerta

Despite the systemic resistance, the “omerta”—the code of silence—is beginning to fracture. The authors note that a wave of revelations is hitting sports that were previously considered closed circles. Figure skating and judo, in particular, have seen a surge in disclosures regarding sexual violence.

These breakthroughs are critical because they prove that no sport is immune to these issues, but they also prove that the silence can be broken. As more survivors reach forward and more journalists commit to rigorous, non-complacent reporting, the “zone of impunity” begins to shrink.

The path forward requires a fundamental shift in how the sporting world defines “heroism.” If the industry continues to prioritize the image of the demi-god over the safety of the individual, the pedestal will only continue to crumble. The work of Mhiri and Le Coz, as discussed on RFI’s Mondial Sports, serves as a necessary catalyst for this change.

The next checkpoint for this conversation will be the continued release and reception of La Zone d’impunité and the subsequent reactions from French sports federations and media outlets.

Do you think sports journalists have a responsibility to cover athletes differently when criminal allegations are involved, or should they stick strictly to the game? Let us know in the comments.