Sport

Governments pressure FIFA to avoid Women’s World Cup blackout

Sports ministers of 'Big Five’ European nations called on ‘all parties involved to quickly reach an agreement’ following row over broadcasting rights

Offers for TV rights for the Women’s World Cup in Italy came in at less than 1 per cent of the winning bid for last year’s Qatar World Cup, and at less than 3 per cent in Germany, according to an industry source familiar with the situation. Picture: Getty

Governments in major European countries are putting pressure on FIFA and public broadcasters to resolve a dispute over broadcasting rights for the Women’s World Cup that threatens a blackout in football’s biggest markets.

The event is due to take place at the end of July in Australia and New Zealand, but football’s governing body and public broadcasters from the “Big Five” European nations taking place in the World Cup — Italy, Germany, France, the UK ...