AP – FIFA ended a standoff with broadcasters in five major European television markets by agreeing to a Women’s World Cup rights deal on Wednesday just five weeks before the first match.
The deal struck collectively with the European Broadcasting Union ended nine months of jibes aimed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino at free-to-air networks in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Infantino repeatedly aired his anger with the broadcasters – which all have national teams playing in the 64-game tournament – for offering as little as one per cent of the fees they paid for the men’s World Cup.
The July 20-August 20 World Cup is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand with many group-stage games scheduled through the night and early hours of the European morning.
No price was announced for adding the five countries plus Ukraine to the 28-nation rights deal FIFA already struck with the Geneva-based EBU last year. Instead, FIFA did hail European broadcasters committing to screen more women’s football from next season.
“As part of this agreement,” Infantino said in a statement, “the EBU has committed to working towards broadcasting at least one hour of weekly content dedicated to women’s football on its own digital platform and broadcaster network.”
