Football’s ruling body FIFA says there will be “no blackout” to the 2023 women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand amid a broadcasting rights row, with the live-streaming of games online its plan B.
“We’re still in negotiations. We prefer broadcasts on public television, but we can also show the matches on FIFA+,” a FIFA spokesman told dpa, referring to the federation’s streaming service.
The women’s tournament is set to kick off on July 20, but so far FIFA hasn’t agreed on broadcasting rights with television networks in the top five European football nations, including Germany’s ARD and ZDF.
FIFA wants more money than networks have offered in an attempt to raise more revenue for the women’s game, which has gained in popularity in recent years.
ARD and ZDF sports co-ordinator Axel Balkausky had previously spoken of an offer in line with market conditions, which according to Kicker sports magazine was $US5.4 million ($8 million) and only half of what FIFA wants.
Sources told dpa the figures are a little higher than that.
Since then, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been quoted as saying there has been some movement in the talks with the broadcasters in Germany, England, Italy, Spain and France.
German Football Federation (DFB) vice-president for equality and diversity Celia Sasic hopes a solution to the dispute can be found soon.
“There has to be an agreement. It would be a tough hit if that doesn’t work out,” she told dpa on Wednesday.
She stressed the importance of having the tournament on public television.
“That would be very, very important for women’s football, for society, for the whole development, to keep the visibility high,” the former Germany international said.
German women’s football ratings have soared lately.
The Euro final between Germany and England was the most viewed sports program in the country in 2022, with almost 18 million tuning in.
