Football Australia’s chief executive, James Johnson, has expressed disappointment at Fifa’s refusal to allow players to wear rainbow armbands during the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which begins on Thursday.
Fifa recently confirmed players wearing a rainbow armband in support of LGBTQ+ rights would face on-field sanctions, such as yellow cards, as was the case at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Instead, Fifa has invited players to choose from eight Fifa-sanctioned armbands highlighting social causes including “peace”, “zero hunger” and “inclusion”.
Speaking in Brisbane on Monday while the Matildas trained, Johnson said the armband options did not go as far as players had hoped.
“Rainbow armbands – we were at the table for that discussion, with countries like England, Sweden, the Netherlands,” he said.
“It was important to us and we wanted to solve the issue before it became an issue, because we know there were issues as the World Cup in Qatar was kicking off.
“We welcome the framework that Fifa has put in place, because it’s broad and it allows players to select an issue that they care about. On the other hand, though, we do acknowledge that they didn’t go as far and specifically focus on LGBTQI.”
Johnson said FA and the Matildas were “aligned” in their position.
“We do have to recognise that there was movement made since the last World Cup and we welcome that,” he said.
“I think where the conversation started to where it ended, there was definitely improvement. I think we’ve landed in a place that’s acceptable, but having said that it didn’t go as far as what we would have liked.”
The FA boss also hinted the governing body was weighing up bids for other major Fifa tournaments, off the back of what is expected to be a successful event over the coming month.
“The focus right now is on ensuring this Women’s World Cup is the best Women’s World Cup we’ve ever seen,” Johnson said.
“In Australia alone I think we can get close to 1m tickets sold – the KPI was 1.5m for the whole tournament. We’re well on our way to hitting that mark.”
Johnson listed the 2029 edition of the revamped Fifa Club’s World Cup and the 2034 men’s World Cup as potential options. The FA is also bidding for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
“The men’s World Cup is an obvious one – one day Australia will bid again, I’m absolutely sure of that,” he said. “But there have also been new competitions established by Fifa that I think we need to look at.”
Johnson, who has previously held senior roles at the Asian Football Confederation, Fifa and Manchester City, batted away a question about whether he would apply for the Fifa secretary-general role.
The position will soon be vacant after the incumbent, Fatma Samoura, announced she was stepping down, but Johnson insisted he was focused on delivering a successful Women’s World Cup.
