2023-05-22 11:50:16
Q: You have just traveled to Australia. How are the preparations for the Women’s World Cup going?
A: “I spent three weeks in Australia where I visited three stadiums. From the moment I set foot in the airport and until I left, in all discussions there was no question only this event. For the authorities, it 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 more than 2 billion followers worldwide.”
Q: In Europe, however, there is a threat of a black screen in several important countries, including France, for lack of financial agreement with the broadcasters. How do you feel regarding this situation and are you worried?
A: “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 not live up to FIFA’s expectations, the president (Gianni Infantino, editor’s note) said so clearly. We have a good product, the finest in women’s sport. Everyone talks regarding equality, parity. We would like to let these words turn into actions. The simplest action is to value this World Cup at its fair price, that’s all we ask.”
Q: The chains believe that the price is too high for a competition held on the other side of the world with a very significant time difference…
A: “France’s three matches 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.”
Q: Are you confident regarding the resolution of this conflict?
A: “The talks never stopped and our call was heard. Now is the time to put women’s football in the spotlight and show that it is as important as the men’s. For a long time, the broadcasters were accustomed to buying women’s competitions at symbolic prices and (among the competitions organized by Fifa, editor’s note) only the men’s World Cup was valued Sponsors and broadcasters play a key role in the development of women’s football and I would like this to be transformed by effective and massive support.”
Q: What are the next projects for the development of women’s football?
A: “We no longer want to talk regarding men’s or women’s football. We want to talk regarding football as such. For that, we need resources on the table. We need more technical staff, more adapted infrastructure. For example, the locker 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 lacking. We have multiplied by ten the + prize money + 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.”
Q: There has been a wave of rebellion from international players in several countries (France, Canada, Spain) to demand better salaries or means worthy of the top level. What do you think?
A: “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 struggling in some parts of the world but in Europe there is no turning back. The players are within their rights to demand better recognition and Fifa is behind these players 100 per cent.”
Interview by Keyvan NARAGHI
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