Daily Mail: Women's World Cup is back at risk of a UK TV blackout

Story from Daily Mail:

The Women's World Cup is back under risk of a UK TV blackout, after the government called on FIFA, BBC and ITV to reach a deal.

Broadcast deals have not yet been agreed for some of the biggest footballing countries ahead of the tournament that gets underway in Australia and New Zealand in less than two months time.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino described offers from broadcasters in the 'Big Five' European countries - also including France, Germany, Italy and Spain - as 'very disappointing' and 'a slap in the face'.

The risk of a blackout is there despite BBC and ITV pundits already having their hotels booked, in confidence that the broadcasters will show the tournament.

However, the government has now voiced their say in a statement in which they admitted their 'concern' that no deal has yet been reached.

They wrote: 'Because of the high potential of the FIFA Women's World Cup and the sport and social issues at stake, we consider it our responsibility to fully mobilise all stakeholders, for them to quickly reach an agreement.

'These are decisions for FIFA and broadcasters to take independently, but we know that discussions are in progress and we are confident in FIFA and independent broadcasters' capability to find a common path toward fair development of the FIFA Women's World Cup.'

The statement was co-signed by Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport - along with government representatives from Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

Infantino claimed bids of between £800,000 and £8million ($1m and $10m) had been made compared to £80.3m-£160m ($100m-200 m) for the men's version.

Speaking at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Infantino added that if offers 'continue not to be fair, we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women's World Cup into the 'Big 5' European countries'.

As previously reported, Italy's RAI and Germany's ZDF and ARD have offered a lower deal for the women's tournament than they did for the men's tournament and claim this is because the game are on at 'unappealing times' given it's taking place in new Zealand and Australia.

However, FIFA are less than impressed with their response - pointing to the European viewing figures for the men's World Cup in Japan and Korea in 2002, which had similar kick-off times.

FIFA also highlighted the fact that virtually all the matches involving European nations are scheduled to take place after 9am in their relevant time zones. Plus, some games will start at midday and others will take place during the school holidays.

Speaking about the situation previously, Infantino said: 'This is a slap in the face of all the great FIFA Women's World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide. To be very clear, it is our moral and legal obligation not to undersell the FIFA Women's World Cup.

'Therefore, should the offers continue not to be fair (towards women and women's football), we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women's World Cup into the 'Big Five' European countries.'

He went on to discuss the scheduling of the tournament, saying: 'Maybe, because it is in Australia and New Zealand, it's not played on prime time in Europe, but still, it is played at 9:00 am or 10:00 am, so it is quite a reasonable time,' he said.

This comes after Infantino set a target of equal prize money for men and women at World Cups by 2027. Meanwhile, this year's tournament will see the women get a 300 per cent increase in prize money.