Fallout As FIFA Appoints Supermodel Adriana Lima As ‘Fan Ambassador’ Of Women’s World Cup

Topline

Soccer’s governing body, FIFA, has been criticized for appointing supermodel Adriana Lima as the “global fan ambassador” for this year’s Women’s World Cup, the latest controversy surrounding the marquee event and the global organization.

Key Facts

Moya Dodd, a former FIFA council member and player for Australia criticized the decision on Twitter, calling it “tone deaf.”

Dodd cited Lima’s previous comments about relying on a liquid-only diet to lose weight and asked if she will “be delivering any messages on body image, wellbeing and healthy eating.”

Lima’s previous anti-abortion stance, in which she denounced abortion as a “crime,” has also come under criticism.

Some fans have also criticized FIFA for choosing a supermodel instead of an athlete, saying this is something that doesn’t happen in the men’s game.

Gen Dohrmann, head of Women Sport Australia, told the Guardian she wondered why a supermodel was appointed when the sport has its own international stars, including Meg Rapinoe and Sam Kerr.

A spokesperson for Lima told Reuters: “Like many people, her position on many LGBTQIA+ and women issues has evolved and she is considered an ally.”

Crucial Quote

In a longer post on LinkedIn, Dodd added: “At the outset, the model’s public image…looked an odd fit for an organisation that says it wants to empower girls and women…And it made me wonder: what will this ambassador represent to the large and growing population of aspirational [women’s soccer]

players and fans who love the game because it shows us what empowerment and equality can look like?”

Key Background

Lima was appointed by FIFA as the World Cups ambassador earlier this week, with President Gianni Infantino praising her and saying she “lives and breathes ‘futebol’ and that is also why she can be an excellent link between FIFA and fans worldwide.” The event, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand later this year, has already faced criticism for being sponsored bySaudi Arabia’s official tourism campaign. In a Sydney Morning Herald op-ed, Dodd criticized the use of a sponsor that tells many of the sport’s LGBTQ+ players and fans to visit a country where they are considered criminals and where women’s rights are seriously lacking. FIFA faced similar criticism last year for hosting the men’s World Cup in Qatar, because of the country’s poor human rights record. Infantino and other administrators were criticized for blocking efforts by players to express support for LGBTQ+ rights during the tournament, using threats of suspensions and fines.

Further Reading

‘Why do we need a supermodel?’: Backlash after Fifa makes Adriana Lima Women’s World Cup ambassador (Guardian)

FIFA appointment of supermodel Lima ‘baffling’ – ex-Council member Dodd (Reuters)