Lise Klaveness is a strong dissenting voice to Gianni Infantino. In the dispute over the TV rights award, however, she is now behind the FIFA boss.
Oslo/Zurich – The Women's World Cup kicks off on July 20 – and many fans in Europe may not be able to watch it live on TV. The background to this is the ongoing dispute over the allocation of rights to TV stations in Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain and Italy with FIFA over President Gianni Infantino, who complains about too few offers. Infantino is now receiving support from one of his biggest critics: Lise Klaveness.
| Lise Klaveness | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 19 April 1981 (aged 42 years), Meland, Norway |
| Stations as a player: | i.a. IL Sandviken, Asker FK, Stabæk (all in Norway) |
| End of career: | 2011 |
| Stations as a functionary: | President of the Norwegian Football Association (since 2022) |
Klaveness agrees with Infantino in TV rights poker: "Don't sell off the Women's World Cup"
"Infantino and I generally do not agree on many points," said Norwegian federation president Lise Klaveness about her relationship with the Swiss president of the world federation, "but to put it bluntly, it is our moral and legal duty not to sell off the Women's World Cup." Infantino himself had recently taken a very similar course.
Recently, the alleged sums had come to light, which are the triggers of the dispute between FIFA and the television broadcasters: While ARD and ZDF, for example, want to pay "in line with the market" five million euros for the rights to the TV broadcast of the competition, the world association does not back down from its demand of ten million euros.
Normally not of the same opinion, but in the TV rights dispute over the Women's World Cup: Norway's association president Lise Klaveness (right) and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino. © Imago / PA Images / Kyodo News
Like Infantino: Klaveness threatens TV blackout at Women's World Cup
The world governing body has not yet reached an agreement with the television broadcasters from the five major European football nations on the allocation of rights for the tournament, which will take place from 20 July to 20 August in New Zealand and Australia. Infantino accuses interested parties of price pressure and threatens a blackout scenario. For this, he was tackled by a number of players, including DFB captain Alexandra Popp.
Klaveness, otherwise known for her criticism of FIFA – she was one of the few people from the ranks of the world governing body to denounce the grievances surrounding the men's World Cup in Qatar – is clearly on Infantino's side. If the offers are not increased, one is "forced" to a blackout in the five major nations, she is quoted in Norwegian media. Infantino wanted to persuade the TV stations to invest in women's sport, she praised her opponent. (SID/wuc)
