Infantino Criticises Low Bids For Women's World Cup Television Rights
Football Federation Internationale (FIFA) president Gianni Infantino has spoken out against what he calls the "unacceptably low offers" for the broadcast rights of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
“A hundred times less (than the men’s World Cup), even more than 100 times on some occasions. This is not acceptable,” Infantino stated at a press conference.
The head of the football governing body, who did not name the media companies and broadcasters involved, however, said they know who they are.
“We are not going to accept this,” Infantino said regarding the offers.
“We know that the viewing figures for these broadcasters in some big footballing countries for the men’s World Cup or for the Women’s World Cup are actually very similar, meaning their commercial income is very similar for men and for women,” he added.
Infantino stated that FIFA had invested $1 billion in women's football over the past few years.
2015 and 2019 Women's World Cups were financially unsuccessful, but Infantino stated, "The next World Cup will cost around $400 million, and we hope to break even."
FIFA aims to sell commercial rights separately from the men's competition for the first time.
"We are trying to commercialise the Women's World Cup for the first time on its own," he stated.
Although homosexuality is a criminal violation in Qatar, the FIFA president reiterated assurances that gay fans attending the men's World Cup there next month will be secure.
Infantino stated, "I have said it (before), I repeat it — whatever nationality, background, gender, sexual orientation, everyone is welcome in Qatar."
Additionally, Infantino revealed that the FIFA Clearing House, which aims to regulate the additional payments surrounding transfer fees, will go into effect on November 16.
"This will finally bring some transparency and accountability into the whole transfer market," said Infantino. "Payments to strange places or strange bank accounts will not be tolerated anymore."
According to him, the transfer industry presently earns between six and seven billion dollars annually, and he thinks that amount will increase.
"We want to control that and make sure the money goes where it is supposed to."
Australia and New Zealand will host the 2023 Women's World Cup from July 20th to August 20th. As a result of the time difference, several games will take place when it is already night in significant markets like Europe and the Americas.