Sydney mayor slams FIFA’s ‘bureaucracy gone mad’ ahead of 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia

A prominent Sydney mayor has urged councils to ignore FIFA’s “crazed bureaucracy” as the governing body makes it increasingly difficult to create live sites for next month’s Women’s World Cup.

The official FIFA-hosted live site at Tumbalong Park in Darling Harbor – the same venue where Socceroos viewing parties were held for the Men’s World Cup last year – has been confirmed, but city councils all over Sydney are desperate for an event of their own.

The Women’s World Cup is one of the largest sporting events in the world, with 16,000 attendees visiting Sydney during the tournament, injecting $21 million into the local economy, NSW Tourism Minister John Graham said.

Sam Kerr and her Matildas will kick off against Ireland in the opener of the tournament at Sydney Olympic Park in front of a sold-out crowd of over 80,000.

It will change lives for the game Down Under – for men and women alike – and councils across Sydney are rightfully keen to host viewing parties for those who can’t get their hands on a ticket themselves, as well as boosting their local economies.

There will be an official live site in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbor like last year for the Men’s World Cup (pictured)

But Sydney councils are frustrated with the ‘insane bureaucracy’ at FIFA, making it difficult to sign up for live sites

But Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne, who has had a voice since last year in his excitement about keeping some live sites in the local area, says it’s becoming a bureaucratic nightmare.

Councils were not required to sign up to host screenings of last year’s Men’s World Cup in Qatar.

It is understood that a live site that the Inner West Council hosted in Summer Hill for the Socceroos games in Qatar cost about $6,000, with hundreds of attendees and money poured into the local economy.

But things appear to be very different, with Byrne decrying “prohibitively expensive” licensing fees. FIFA would not confirm whether any compensation applies.

The council has been waiting months for approval for a site at the hugely popular Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, and Byrne has had enough.

Fans gathered at the live site in Melbourne’s iconic Federation Square to watch the Socceroos last year

An ecstatic fan celebrates a goal by lighting a flare at Tumbalong Park’s live site for the men’s World Cup last year

“It’s absurd that we had to fight so hard,” Byrne said Daily telegram.

“Community live sites should have been a no-brainer from the start, ignore FIFA and its dictates.

“The bureaucracy has gone mad.”

Byrne previously called out FIFA for making the process difficult and expensive, as well as criticizing the game’s governing body for putting profit before improving the game Down Under.

“The idea that FIFA’s full control over broadcasting licenses extends to preventing city councils from letting the community come together to watch is absurd,” Byrne said. News Corp in April.

“We foresee huge crowds for the Matildas games.”

FIFA told councils they would have to apply for live sites and be given ‘consideration’ based on their proximity to the Darling Harbor live site.

Camperdown Park is about four kilometers away and about half an hour away by public transport.

Fans will be eager to see the Matildas in action at next month’s World Cup in Australia

A Sydney council expects ‘huge crowds’ at live venues for the Matildas games (pictured are Aussie fans who watched the Socceroos in Melbourne’s Fed Square last year)

A spokesman for Optus Sport (Australia’s official broadcaster) insisted the Inner West Council’s application had been approved, according to the Daily Telegraph, but Byrne said they have yet to hear confirmation.

And while it’s been revealed that surrounding municipalities have also applied to keep their own sites, Byrne said he wouldn’t even wait for confirmation from FIFA.

“The world governing body (FIFA) has no place to get in the way – don’t wait for their approval. I would say to everyone: just do it,” he said.

A fellow Inner West council member, Dylan Griffiths, said the tournament had a chance to unite the community.

“The motivation behind this (live sites) is to bring the community together, help local economies along with local businesses and empower women in sports,” he told City hub late last year.

‘Many residents, especially football clubs and women think this is a great idea.

“They would like the municipality to support women in sports. I see absolutely no disadvantage in this.’

The council is teaming up with the Irish Consulate for the opening game against the Girls in Green, and it’s sure to draw a huge crowd.

“This is the first time the Ireland women’s football team has qualified for the World Cup and it is so fitting that their first match will take place in Sydney, a city so many Irish call home,” said Ireland’s Consul General. , Rosie Keane.