About two months before the Women's World Cup, the TV rights have not yet been awarded. Almuth Schult clarifies the mistakes made by FIFA boss Infantino.
Munich – It is still unclear whether German spectators will be able to watch the DFB's first World Cup match live on television on 24 July at 10:30 a.m. In the ongoing dispute between FIFA and the public television stations in Germany over the TV rights for the upcoming World Cup, national player Almuth Schult is also involved. The 32-year-old has criticised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his late actions.
| Almuth Schult | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 9 February 1991 (age 32 years), Dannenberg |
| Current club: | Without a club |
| Position: | Goalkeeper |
| Successes: | Olympic gold in 2016, European Championship title in 2013, six-time German champion (VfL Wolfsburg) |
Almuth Schult on FIFA boss Infantino: "Can't understand moral sermons"
In the BR sports program Blickpunkt Sport, Schult directed clear words in the direction of the world federation. "The worst and most immoral thing for me is to start the process at such short notice. I can't understand Infantino's moral sermons about respect because it's disrespectful and not commensurate with the value of this sport," said the goalkeeper, who is currently taking a break as a player due to the imminent birth of her third child at the end of August.
The 32-year-old went on to say that FIFA had "started a process to sell TV rights, six and a half months before the tournament. It's clearly too late." Infantino, however, openly threatened a TV blackout if no agreement was reached between the world federation and the broadcasters. The two parties to the dispute have differing ideas regarding the budget: While FIFA is demanding ten million euros for the rights, ARD and ZDF only want to put five million on the table, according to Kicker.
Almuth Schult criticises FIFA President Infantino for awarding the rights for the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand at short notice. © IMAGO / Sven Simon, IMAGO / PA Images
"Value of the numbers somewhat unequal": Schult surprised by low sum
The allocation of rights is a novelty at this tournament: for the first time, FIFA is selling the broadcasting rights independently of the Men's World Cup. For the last men's World Cup in Qatar, the public broadcasters paid a sum of 214 million euros, while the women's World Cup is expected to be only five million euros. "A market-driven offer" is what ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky calls the sum in the FAZ, also with regard to the unfavorable kick-off times for women in the morning.
The long-time national player Schult wonders about the strong differences in the current sum compared to the previous rights package: "If you believe the rumours that it is five million euros and compare that with the 200 million that were recently paid together for the men's and women's World Cups, then the value of the numbers is also somewhat unequal."
Poker for TV rights: Goalkeeper Schult with Qatar suspicion
"I don't think FIFA is really willing to talk," Schult said in Blickpunkt Sport in view of the ongoing negotiations, and speculated: "Maybe other things also play a role. FIFA wasn't as fond of it as Germany presented itself in Qatar." DFB President Bernd Neuendorf also recently intervened in the dispute.
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In the remaining 66 days until the opening match of the World Cup, fans, the DFB team and the rest of those affected can only hope that a solution will finally be found in the conflict over rights. (likr)
