FIFA in sexism row before Women’s World Cup after inviting male only players to training sessions

FIFA have become embroiled in a sexism row on the eve of the World Cup after barring female players from a pre-competition training camp for the tournament’s referees. 

Mail Sport has seen emails from FIFA’s Refereeing Division to clubs in Sydney asking for ‘male players aged 15 plus’ to attend a series of training sessions for World Cup match officials at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

The daily sessions for FIFA’s refereeing delegation began last Sunday and are due to continue until 20 August, the day of the World Cup final. 

Mail Sport has learned that at least one Sydney-based club sent their women’s team to the Olympic Park earlier this week offering to help out and the players were virtually ignored by FIFA officials, eventually leaving without being given the opportunity to play.

‘Only FIFA would ask for male only players to help prepare referees for a women’s World Cup,’ a source told Mail Sport. 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been unsettled by controversy before the tournament

‘Our team went down and they only picked men or boys to start the matches. The women were told to wait and be substitutes. After two hours of hanging around they left as they were sick of being ignored.’

The email sent to clubs states that ‘FIFA requires male players who are 15+ years and of a good football skill level to be used for daily training activities,’ but does not give any reason for this apparent discrimination. 

FIFA asked for around 50 players per-day and offered around £25 for each player in payment for taking part in the two-and-a-half hour session.

The decision to exclude female players appears bizarre given one of the main drivers of World Cup, which starts with a game between co-hosts New Zealand and Norway next Thursday, is to increase participation amongst women and girls. 

The build-up to the tournament has been beset by controversy, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino threatening a TV blackout in Europe before doing a late deal with five broadcasters last month, while the world governing body also banned the players from wearing their preferred OneLove or rainbow armbands to promote LGBTQ+ rights.

After months of talks FIFA belatedly unveiled eight armbands of their own a fortnight ago designed to promote eight different social causes.

FIFA were unavailable for comment.