“There is too much talking. I have begun to feel that if it rains in London tomorrow it is my fault. If people don’t like Brexit, it is my fault.”
When I saw these quotes the other weekend, I did have a bit of a laugh. At FIFA, you do often get the feeling too that nothing the organisation could ever do, would be good enough. Criticism is often fair and justified. There are occasions though when you read a few articles and think: “hang on a minute.”
Since then, I’ve worked in China in 2007 as England’s press officer. Supported some projects in Germany with FIFA in 2011. And led FIFA’s Social Media content in Canada in 2015.
In the next few hours, two teams from CONCACAF will qualify for France 2019. It could be 3 time winners the US. It could be 2015 hosts Canada. It could be two debutantes: Jamaica and Panama.In recent months, as the big event next summer gets closer, so interest levels have grown a bit. And some old and new topics have come up.
Some countries have made huge strides in developing their development pathways in the last decade. Some others have done very little, or nothing. In the last 12-18 months, players in some of the most traditionally progressive women’s football countries have also put pressure on for more support, refusing to be grateful or settling for what they have. Watching and following online, that takes a huge amount of guts by the players.
So what about FIFA? There was a time when the prevailing quote on how to improve the marketability of the women’s game, was “wear tighter shorts.” There may still be some less than enlightened views around the world. Clearly the culture in some countries will still make it incredibly difficult for the women’s game to develop. Or for women in football to gain greater day-to-day involvement. Let alone roles in leadership.
However. Last week, FIFA launched a new strategy document, with some key targets and objectives to move the global women’s game forward. You can read it here. I’m not so sure everyone has.
Away from that, there is the topic of VAR. It’s been reported FIFA won’t use it. FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer recently said, a decision has not yet been made. Why? A recent article by Gabrielle Marcotti may help explain the factors to be considered. Having been involved in FIFA comms for goal-line technology, and supported the VAR process, I know this is complex. And i'm always careful not to make claims I cannot back. But one thing any decision will not have anything to do with: gender discrimination.
Then there is Prize Money and other FIFAWWC related funding. It may well be that some figures reported this week (two weeks before the FIFA Council make their final decision) are correct. But there are more funding ‘pots’ beyond the prize money itself. And those were already alluded to a few weeks ago, as you can read here.
There is an assumption (as I’ve read in quotes), that prize money funds grassroots development. And without a bigger pot, this will not enable the game to grow. But this is incorrect too.
FIFA Forward is FIFA’s core development program which sees funding on four year cycles distributed to Confederations and Member Associations. They don’t just receive a blank cheque. They have to apply for the funding. Provide business plans and justifcations. And the auditing process is stronger than ever before, to ensure monies go where they should.
Within this program are key funding streams for women’s football projects. To support leagues. National team and travel. Or to fund regional continental competitions. Such as the CECAFA Women’s Championship. I’m sure many people don’t want to read anything positive about FIFA. But as some reporting is a little inaccurate or economical with facts and figures, I thought I’d try to help.
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| You can read about Forward funding and all the related regulations here. |
You can also read about some projects and initiatives that have already started, such as in Peru, and tailored conferences and workshops.
The volume of our own articles and content will also increase as this works moves ahead now. Including news of a new program we’ll highlight on FIFA platforms at the end of October. And workshops for South American coaches and administrators that will take place during the U17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay in mid-November.
This blog started from another ‘bee in my bonnet.’ I’m not trying to say everything is perfect. But perhaps outline there is more going on, than some of you realise. This attempts to aggregate a few things together. Because in the end, it just felt like the right thing for me to do.
Thanks again, if you made it to the end.
