Fifa Secretary General Fatma Samoura has asked TV channels, some of which in Europe are reluctant to broadcast the Women’s World Cup (July 20-August 20 in Australia and New Zealand), to “promote “this competition “at its right price”, in an interview with AFP on Sunday.
Journalist : You have just made a trip to Australia. How are the preparations for the Women’s World Cup going?
Fatma Samoura : “I spent three weeks in Australia where I visited three stadiums. From the moment I set foot at the airport until I left, in all discussions, it was only a question of of this event. For the authorities, this is the most important event since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. The stadiums are ready, the training stadiums too and the hotels are spotless. We are expecting 1.5 million visitors and over 2 billion followers worldwide.”
Journalist : In Europe, however, there is a threat of a black screen in several important countries, including France, for lack of a financial agreement with the broadcasters. How do you feel about this situation and are you worried?
Fatma Samoura : “There are ongoing discussions but I don’t see a country like France, which organized this same World Cup four years ago, not broadcasting it. The offer we received was not up to Fifa’s expectations, the president (Gianni Infantino, editor’s note) said it clearly. We have a good product, the finest in women’s sport. Everyone talks about equality, parity. We would like “These words turn into actions. The simplest action is to value this World Cup at its fair price, that’s all we ask.”
Journalist : The channels believe that the price is too high for a competition held on the other side of the world with a very significant time difference…
Fatma Samoura : “The three matches of France are scheduled for noon in France in the middle of summer, when everyone will be on vacation. I don’t see the problem. It’s a false debate. TVs need to put a little more means on the table and agree to return to the negotiating table, with prices that reflect the enthusiasm for the most popular sport in Europe and in France.”
Journalist : Are you confident about the resolution of this conflict?
Fatma Samoura“Discussions have never stopped and our call has been heard. Now is the time to put women’s football in the spotlight and show that it is as important as men’s football. For a long time, broadcasters have been accustomed to buying women’s competitions at nominal prices and (of the competitions organized by Fifa) only the men’s World Cup was valued Sponsors and broadcasters play a vital role in the development of women’s football and I would like that this is transformed by effective and massive support.”
Journalist : What are the next projects for the development of women’s football?
Fatma Samoura : “We no longer want to talk about men’s or women’s football. We want to talk about football as such. For that, we need resources on the table. We need more technical staff, more adapted infrastructure. For example, changing rooms are most often designed for a male audience. We want to set up facilities that meet the specific needs of girls. We want to increase the number of competitions in all age categories, set up continental leagues where they are We have multiplied the ‘prize money’ by ten since 2015, that of this World Cup will be 152 million dollars, which will be directly injected into the women’s national teams. We will also develop programs for coaching at the highest level. level.”
Journalist : There was a wave of rebellion from international players in several countries (France, Canada, Spain) to demand better salaries or means worthy of the high level. What do you think?
Fatma Samoura : “Solutions have been found. France today has one of the best coaches in the world (Hervé Renard, editor’s note). The clubs have also understood the importance of remunerating the players at their fair value. There is still difficulties in some parts of the world but in Europe there is no longer any possibility of turning back. The players are in their right to demand better recognition and Fifa is behind these players 100%.”