FIFA President Gianni Infantino threatened to “not broadcast” the Women’s Football World Cup in major European countries if its broadcasters’ offers fell far short of expectations, according to a statement from the body on Tuesday, May 2. ,
“To be absolutely clear, we consider our refusal to sell the Women’s World Cup,” which will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, a moral and legal obligation, the leader said in a statement on Monday. World Trade Organization at the Round Table Conference.
Against FIFA Europe
For months, world soccer’s bosses have been fighting against “unacceptable” offers from main European broadcasters for their most important women’s tournament, “20 to 100 times lower than offers received for the men’s World Cup,” they said on Monday. Said.
Due to the time difference, negotiations in Europe have been particularly difficult and have not crystallized with soccer’s “big five countries” (Great Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy and France), when FIFA has already signed agreements with American broadcasters. , Canadian or signed with. Brazil.
“As a result, if broadcasters continue to do injustice to the Women’s World Cup and to women, we will be forced not to broadcast the Women’s World Cup in these five big European countries,” threatened Gianni Infantino.
The leader recalled that broadcasters paid “between $100 and $200 million” for the men’s World Cup, but they are only willing to offer “$1 to 10 million for the women’s World Cup”. His audience represents “about $50 to $60″. % of men’s tournaments”.
Regarding the time difference, he conceded that it was true that the matches would “not be broadcast in prime time in Europe” but “at 9 or 10 in the morning, which is still very reasonable.”
