Megan the maverick says FIFA don’t care for women’s football
American co- captain Megan Rapinoe has launched a scathing attack on FIFA on the eve of the Women’s World Cup Final.
Rapinoe insists their decision to allow the Copa America and Gold Cup Finals to take place on the same day as the women’s showpiece between the USA and the Netherlands was “unbelievable”.
The Copa America clash between Brazil and Peru will be held in Rio de Janiero tonight whi le the CONCACAF Gold Cup, featuring the United States and Mexico, takes place in Chicago.
Neither game’s timing clashes with the women’s World Cup Final, being held in Lyon.
But Rapinoe said: “It is terrible scheduling for everyone. That is a terrible idea to put everything on the same day. In every way.
“Obviously there are two other finals going on but this is the World Cup Final – this is like, ‘Cancel everything day.’ So no, I don’t know how it happened.
“I read somewhere that they said they just didn’t think about it – that’s a bit of a problem.
“The World Cup Final is set so far i n advance it i s act ua l ly unbelievable. So no I don’t think that we feel the same level of respect, certainly that FIFA has for the men and just in general.”
But a FIFA spokesperson said: “The scheduling of the different events has gone through a consultancy process that has involved all key stakeholders and taken into account aspects of the women’s and men’s calendars.”
Rapinoe also took aim at FIFA over the financial prize on offer for the women’s World Cup.
On Friday FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposed doubl ing the total prize money of the tournament to $60million.
The men’s edition in Russia last year, featuring 32 teams, had a total prize money pot of $ 400million. That amount for the men will rise to $ 440million for the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Rapinoe, who has also taken aim at American President Donald Trump during the World Cup, added: “It certainly is not fair.
“We should double it now then use that number to double it or quadruple it for next time. If you care about each game in the same way, would you let the gap grow?
“I’m not saying the prize money is $450million this time or next time around, I understand that for a lot of different reasons, the men’s game financially is far advanced than the women’s game.
“If you really care are you letting the gap grow, are you scheduling three finals on the same day? No.”
Arsenal defender Danielle van de Donk insists she’s happy for Rapinoe to talk pol itics and underestimate her Dutch side.
She said: “I don’t think they think we’re that good. That is going to be an advantage for us. We are European champions, not just anyone. I’m proud of the team and I’m proud of the Netherlands.”