And last October, Infantino criticized broadcasters, saying they were making “100 times less” offers to transfer the Women’s World Cup compared to the Men’s World Cup.
He went on the offensive on Monday, less than 3 months before the start of the finals in Australia and New Zealand, demanding a “fair sum” for the broadcasting rights.
FIFA said in a statement that it has yet to sell broadcast rights in some of the major markets.
Statements by Infantino from the headquarters of the World Trade Organization in Geneva, during a seminar on the use of football as a tool for trade and development:
• “The offers of broadcasting channels, particularly in the five major European countries, are still disappointing.”
• “The proceeds will go to women’s football to contribute to its development.”
• “The chains provided between one million and 10 million dollars to obtain the broadcasting rights of the women’s World Cup, against between 100 and 200 million for the male version.”
• “It’s a slap in the face to all the players participating in the World Cup, and to all the women in the world.”
• “To be very clear, it is our moral and legal duty not to sell the Women’s World Cup for less than what is due.”
• “So if the unfair offers continue, we will be forced not to broadcast the Women’s World Cup in the big five European countries.”
• Due to the time difference, World Cup matches won’t be played at peak times in Europe, but the FIFA president stressed that “that’s no excuse. Maybe, since c ‘is in Australia and New Zealand, they (matches) are not played at peak times in Europe, but at nine or ten in the morning, which is a very acceptable time.”
It’s likely that the five countries Infantino talked about are Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, all of which are represented in the global event.
The World Cup finals will take place between July 20 and August 20, with the participation of 32 teams, knowing that Morocco is the only Arab representative in the tournament.
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