FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has warned of a possible television blackout for this year’s Women’s World Cup in major European countries if broadcasters do not improve their offers for rights.
In October last year, Infantino criticized the “100 times less” offers made by broadcasters to screen the Women’s World Cup compared to the men’s tournament. Infantino spoke again on Monday, calling for a “fair price” for media rights less than three months before the start of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
According to FIFA, the governing body is yet to sell rights for the tournament to some major markets.
Infantino accused broadcasters in the ‘Big Five’ European countries (Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) of offering between $1 million and $10 million to show the Women’s World Cup, compared to the $100-200 million they pay for the men’s version.
He stated that if the offers do not improve, FIFA will not broadcast the tournament in these major markets.
The World Cup will take place from July 20 to August 20.
