Women’s World Cup may not be shown on TV as Fifa criticise ‘slap in the face’ offers

Gianni Infantino is unimpressed by UK TV companies’ current offers to broadcast the tournament

Rachel Steinberg
Tuesday 02 May 2023 08:41 EDT
Comments
Gianni Infantino has been unequivocal in his criticism of TV companies’ broadcast offers
Gianni Infantino has been unequivocal in his criticism of TV companies’ broadcast offers (AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Gianni Infantino says Fifa will be “forced not to broadcast” this summer’s Women’s World Cup in the ‘big five’ European countries if bidding outlets do not improve on “disappointing” and “unacceptable” offers.

England’s quest for a first world title begins in Brisbane on July 22, but so far no deal has been announced for the European champions’ broadcast rights in the UK, with Spain, France, Italy and Germany also among those singled out by Fifa president Infantino.

Infantino made similar statements at Fifa’s 73rd congress last month, and on Monday reiterated his critique at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, later branding the offers as “a slap in the face of all the great Fifa Women’s World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide” in an Instagram post.

Infantino wrote: “Today, I have repeated my call for broadcasters to pay a fair price for Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023™️ media rights. We did our part: Fifa has raised the prize money to USD 152 million, treble the amount paid in 2019 and 10 times more than in 2015 (before I became Fifa president).

“However, the offers from broadcasters, mainly in the ‘Big 5’ European countries, are still very disappointing and simply not acceptable, especially considering that:

“1) 100% of any rights fees paid would go straight into women’s football, in our move to promote actions towards equal conditions and pay;

“2) Public broadcasters in particular have a duty to promote and invest in women’s sport;

“3) The viewing figures of the Fifa Women’s World Cup are 50-60% of the men’s Fifa World Cup (which in turn are the highest of any event), yet the broadcasters’ offers in the ‘Big 5’ European countries for the Fifa Women’s World Cup are 20 to 100(!) times lower than for the men’s Fifa World Cup; and

“4) Concretely, whereas broadcasters pay USD 100-200 million for the men’s Fifa World Cup, they offer only USD 1-10 million for the Fifa Women’s World Cup. This is a slap in the face of all the great Fifa Women’s World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide.

“So, to be very clear, it is our moral and legal obligation not to undersell the Fifa Women’s World Cup. Therefore, should the offers continue not to be fair (towards women and women’s football), we will be forced not to broadcast the Fifa Women’s World Cup into the ‘Big 5’ European countries.

“I call, therefore, on all players (women and men), fans, football officials, Presidents, Prime Ministers, politicians and journalists all over the world to join us and support this call for a fair remuneration of women’s football.

“Women deserve it! As simple as that!”

The tender process for UK broadcasting rights to the tournament, hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20-August 20, opened in June 2022 with a bid deadline of July 12 that year.

It followed the government’s April 2022 announcement that both the Women’s World Cup and Uefa Women’s Euro would be added to the Listed Events Regime, “crown jewels” sporting events that must be offered to free-to-air broadcasters, limiting potential bidders.

It is understood that there are positive discussions ongoing with potential UK broadcasters but no concrete deal has been agreed.

Rishi Sunak wants the Women’s World Cup to be televised, Downing Street said.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he had not seen the specific comments from FIFA chief Infantino, but added: “I think the Prime Minister, like everyone in the UK, would want to see such an important event televised, not least following the huge success of our Lionesses.”

The 2023 tournament will also be the first Women’s World Cup to take place under Fifa’s overhauled commercial structure, announced in 2021, which for the first time “unbundled” the women’s game from the men’s, allowing brands to take up dedicated partnerships exclusively for its women’s football programmes.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in