“It’s time to put women’s football on the front of the stage”, says Fatma Samurai. There general secretary of the Fifa appeals to television channels, so that they broadcast the Women’s World Cup to be held this summer in Australia and New Zealand, in order to “promote” this competition “at its fair price”.
fatma Samoura is the number 2 of Fifa, the International Football Federation. At 62, she campaigns for women’s football to be recognized in its rightful place, especially in the media. She answers questions from AFP.
You have just made a trip to Australia. How are the preparations for the Women’s World Cup going?
I spent three weeks in Australia where I visited three stadiums. From the moment I set foot at the airport until I left, in all discussions, only this event was discussed. For the authorities, this 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 expect 1.5 million visitors and over 2 billion followers worldwide.
Everyone talks about equality, parity. We would like these words to turn into actions. Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General
In Europe, however, there is a threat of a black screen in several important countries, including France, for lack of a financial agreement with the broadcasters. How do you feel about this situation and are you worried?
There are ongoing discussions but I do not see a country like France, which organized this same World Cup four years ago, not broadcasting it. The offer we received did not meet 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 about equality, parity. We would like these words to turn into actions. The simplest action is to promote this World Cup at its fair price, that’s all we ask.
The channels believe that the price is too high for a competition held on the other side of the world with a very significant time difference…
The three matches of France are scheduled for noon in France in the middle of summer, when everyone will be on vacation. I do not see the problem. This is a false debate. TVs need to put a little more resources on the table and agree to come back to the negotiating table, with prices that reflect the enthusiasm for the most popular sport in Europe and in France.
It’s time to put women’s football in the spotlight and show that it is as important as the men’s. Fatma Samoura
Are you confident about the resolution of this conflict?
The discussions never stopped and our appeal was heard. It’s time to put women’s football in the spotlight and show that it is as important as the men’s. For a long time, broadcasters were used 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 an essential role in the development of women’s football and I would like this to be transformed by effective and massive support.
We no longer want to talk about men’s or women’s football. We want to talk about just football.Fatma Samoura
What are the next projects for the development of women’s football?
We no longer want to talk about men’s or women’s football. We want to talk about just football. For this, means are needed on the table. We need more technical staff, more adapted infrastructures. For example, changing 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 national women’s teams. We are also going to develop programs for coaching at the highest level.
There was a wave of rebellion from international players in several countries (France, Canada, Spain) to demand better salaries or means worthy of the high level. What do you think?
Solutions have been found. France today has one of the best coaches in the world (Hervé Renard, Ed). The clubs have also understood the importance of remunerating the players at their fair value. There are still difficulties in certain parts of the world, but in Europe there is no longer any possibility of turning back. The players are within their rights to demand better recognition and Fifa is behind these players 100%.
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