FIFA slammed for ‘tone deaf’ decision to appoint supermodel Adriana Lima as a global ambassador

Former FIFA council member Moya Dodd has criticized the soccer body for being “deaf” after naming a supermodel as its inaugural global ambassador ahead of the Women’s World Cup.

Brazilian model Adriana Lima has been selected by FIFA to ‘develop, promote and participate in various global initiatives’ as the global event gets underway in five months.

Dodd, the former head of FIFA’s task force for women’s soccer, believes Victoria’s Secret’s new role model is a bad thing for promoting women’s soccer and has questioned where Lima fits into plans to change perceptions of women’s soccer. women in sport

Posting on Twitter, Dodd wrote: ‘Seriously #FIFA, is this the fan engagement ambassador we need as it gets closer? #tonedeaf.’

He then reinforced his point in a lengthy statement about his LinkedIN account, which read: ‘When a girl plays soccer, the world sees her differently.

FIFA’s decision to give supermodel Adriana Lima (pictured) an ambassadorial role for the Women’s World Cup has been called “deaf”

Former FIFA executive council member Moya Dodd has criticized the decision.

The Women’s World Cup will begin in Australia and New Zealand in August 2023

“Instead of being praised for her good looks or her pretty dress, she is praised for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goals.

“She is admired for what she can DO, rather than her looks, which puts her on a more equal footing with her siblings in a way that can alter the entire trajectory of her life’s ambitions.

Lima was on stage announcing the winners of FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards in Paris on Monday night, in which a duo from England collected prizes in the women’s categories.

The organization’s president, Gianni Infantino, defended the decision to give the 41-year-old fashion icon such a prominent role.

“When you meet Adriana, you immediately feel her warmth, kindness and how accessible and passionate she is about our game,” Infantino said in a FIFA statement.

“She lives and breathes ‘football’ and that is why she can also be an excellent link between FIFA and fans around the world,” he added.

Despite those claims, a look back at Lima’s Twitter posts shows no reference to soccer, other than the announcement of her new role, and does not show the supermodel at any soccer matches or involved in the sport of no way.

Dodd also criticized Lima’s previously stated views on abortion, where in a 2006 interview with GQ magazine, she admitted that the act is “a crime.” Since then, the model publicist has explained that her point of view has changed.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the decision to name Lima

Gene Dohrmann, president of Women Sport Australia, believes that someone like Megan Rapinoe from the US (pictured) would have been better suited for the role.

An interview with GQ magazine in 2006 saw Lima label abortion a ‘crime’

Former FIFA executive Dodd continued: “At first, the model’s public image seemed strange for an organization that says it wants to empower girls and women, and whose president must be ‘a vanguard’ to promote gender equality (yes , that is in the FIFA Governance Regulations).

Lima (left) also participated in FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards on Monday night.

“But beyond the generalizations, a quick Wikicheck showed that this model was specifically known for eating and drinking on a strict diet and for believing that abortion is a crime.

‘Losing 8 pounds (about 3.5 kilos) in 9 days does not seem safe at all; nor is it consistent with a healthy ‘athlete mind’ to which she refers.

‘I asked if the FIFA ambassador will deliver messages on body image, wellness and healthy eating; Or in the woman’s right to choose? Dodd said.

His questioning of Lima’s new position has been backed by statements from other professional bodies that have echoed similar concerns.

Gene Dohrmann, president of Women Sport Australia, argued that a female athlete like two-time Women’s World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe.

“It’s definitely a different approach to the men’s game,” Dohrmann said.

“You’d see Cristiano Ronaldo as the poster boy for the men’s World Cup, so why do we need a supermodel when we could go with Meg Rapinoe, or Sam Kerr, or someone who has international accolades in the sport that we’re actually promoting?

“That’s the kind of role model that should be leading this campaign.”

Football Australia’s previous head of corporate affairs, Benita Mersiades, also criticized FIFA for being “out of touch” and that Lima’s role shows the body “hasn’t changed”.