FIFA hints Britain could be BLOCKED from watching Women’s World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hinted Britain may not be able to watch this year’s Women’s World Cup unless broadcasters improve their television rights offerings.

The FIFA boss suggested the TV blackout could also span the other members of the ‘big five’ European countries – France, Germany, Italy and Spain – as he labeled their bids as ‘very disappointing’.

Infantino in October criticized broadcasters who he said had offered “100 times less” to show the women’s World Cup compared to the men’s tournament.

In Monday’s attack, less than three months before the tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, Infantino called for a “fair price” for the media rights.

FIFA has yet to sell the rights to the tournament to a number of major markets, the football board confirmed in a statement.

England midfielder Leah Williamson (centre left) and England defender Millie Bright (centre right) lift the trophy as the England players celebrate after their victory in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final, 6 April 2023

England’s Rachel Daly, Georgia Stanway, Kiera Walsh and Ella Toone celebrate victory in the penalty shoot-out after the Women’s Finalissima at Wembley Stadium, April 6, 2023

“The offers from broadcasters, mainly in the ‘Big Five’ European countries, are still very disappointing,” he said at the World Trade Organization in Geneva, emphasizing that revenues flow back to women’s football to grow the game.

Infantino accused broadcasters of offering between $1 million (about £800,000) and $10 million (£8 million) to show the Women’s World Cup, compared to the $100-200 million (£80-160 million) that they pay for the men’s version.

It is clear that Infantio referred to the “big five” as Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

“This is a slap in the face to all great FIFA Women’s World Cup players and indeed to all women worldwide,” Infantino added.

“To be clear, it is our moral and legal obligation not to undercut the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“Therefore, if the offers continue to be unfair (to women and women’s football), we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women’s World Cup to the ‘Big Five’ European countries.”

Due to the time difference, World Cup matches in Europe will not take place during primetime hours, but Infantino said that was no excuse.

“Maybe because it’s in Australia and New Zealand, it’s not played at prime time in Europe, but still it’s played at 9am or 10am, so it’s quite a reasonable time,” he said.

The United States celebrates winning the Women’s World Cup with the trophy at the Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France, July 7, 2019

Women players around the world have long fought for equal pay with men’s national teams. Pictured: Megan Rapinoe of the United States, right, celebrates after scoring during the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final against the Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, France, July 7, 2019

This comes after Infantino set a goal of equal prize money for men and women at World Cups in 2027.

During this year’s tournament, the women will receive 300 percent more prize money

There’s a $150 million (£125 million) fund for the first-ever 32-team women’s tournament, a huge boost from the 24-team edition in 2019, and a budget 10 times what it was in 2015.

After being re-elected by acclimatization to 2027 last month, the FIFA president insisted around $60m (£50m) should be spent on paying players but wants to completely close the gap to the men’s game in the coming months. four years. years.

A total of $440 million (£365 million) was shared between the 32 men’s teams at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, highlighting the significant pay gap that currently exists.

Women players around the world have long battled for equal pay and equal respect with men’s national teams, including the defending champions of the United States, as well as Canada, France and Spain.

This year’s Women’s World Cup starts on July 20 and ends a month later on August 20.