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FIFA Women's Cup Threatened TV Blackout 'About Money'


FILE: Haitian goalkeeper Kerly Theus, left, and fellow teammate Esthericove Joseph, pose for a photo alongside the Women’s World Cup trophy during a ceremony as part of its global tour, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, April 15, 2023.
FILE: Haitian goalkeeper Kerly Theus, left, and fellow teammate Esthericove Joseph, pose for a photo alongside the Women’s World Cup trophy during a ceremony as part of its global tour, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, April 15, 2023.

MUNICH - Germany forward Alexandra Popp said on Friday that FIFA president Gianni Infantino's threat of a television blackout of this year's Women's World Cup in major European countries is "all about the money."

Infantino earlier this week accused broadcasters 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 said the tournament may not be shown in the nations concerned unless broadcasters improve their offers for rights.

The five countries in question are thought to be Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

"I'll put it nicely. For Mr. Infantino, it feels like it's all about the money," Popp told AFP subsidiary SID.

"It shouldn't be the case. Because like this, the sport that we all love and appreciate is damaged. The duty falls to FIFA but also to the broadcasters."

The Women's World Cup, being held in Australia and New Zealand, gets under way on July 20.

Infantino told reporters at the World Trade Organization in Geneva on Monday it is FIFA's "moral and legal obligation not to undersell" the tournament.

But Popp added: "We should try to find a consensus, instead of passing the blame and letting greed do the talking."

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