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Belgian
In a joint text published on Monday, the European Football Union (UEFA), the European Association of Clubs (ECA) and some national leagues – including those of Germany, England, Italy and the Netherlands – warn of the “harmful” consequences for women’s football from the organization of the World Cup every two years, a project defended for several weeks by FIFA, the world football body.
“FIFA’s proposal to hold the Men’s World Cup and the Women’s World Cup every two years will have serious negative repercussions in sporting, economic, societal and other fields and consequences that will fundamentally change the trajectory and development. women’s football ”, we can read in the press release of the various authorities.
“Due to the speed of the consultation process which, for the time being, has been very selective and of proposals almost already agreed upon, it has not been possible to reflect in a calm manner on the aspects which favor the future development of women’s football nor to properly assess the potentially irreversible consequences that such a change would entail ”, underline the various institutions.
UEFA, ECA and the Leagues cite a range of adverse consequences for the development of women’s football, including further overloading the schedule, increasing the risk of physical injury and the impact on the mental health of top players, level interrupting the process of professionalization and investment in national championships, limiting the expansion of continental championships or even reducing the regularity and visibility of women’s football for national teams during the season. The signatories of the press release also fear a decrease in investments from sponsors and partners due to market saturation.
“Cooperation and an open dialogue between football stakeholders is the only solution, the one that will allow us to find the best way to develop women’s football, on a global scale, for the benefit of all”, conclude the UEFA, ECA and leagues.
