Moya Dodd, a former Australia’s women’s football captain has criticized FIFA’s decision to appoint Brazilian Model Adriana Lima as it’s Brand Ambassador.
“Fifa’s decision to appoint supermodel Adriana Lima as an official ambassador for the Women’s World Cup was inappropriate and insensitive“, Dodd said in one of her interviews recently.
Despite having no official involvement in the sport, Lima was appointed as a representative, with Fifa president Gianni Infantino citing her passion for football as a reason for her selection.
Former vice-captain of the Australian women’s team, Moya Dodd, who once led Fifa’s task force on the women’s game, was astonished by the decision. She raised concerns about the message it sends to female athletes who want to be treated equally to men.
Dodd further elaborated on her criticism, pointing out that Lima had reportedly starved herself for nine days before fashion shows and had described abortion as “a crime” in 2006.
Dodd questioned what message this appointment would send to the large and growing population of women football players and fans who love the game because it represents empowerment and equality.
In contrast to being complimented on their appearance or attire, female players are valued for their skills on the pitch. Women Sport Australia, the peak body for gender equality campaigners in sport, criticized Fifa for not highlighting the athletes playing at the tournament and for appointing Lima instead.
Women Sport Australia’s president, Gen Dohrmann, noted that the appointment of Lima was a departure from the men’s game, where star players like Cristiano Ronaldo are used to promote the World Cup.
Dohrmann suggested that Fifa should have chosen a player with international accolades in the sport being promoted, such as Meg Rapinoe or Sam Kerr.
Lima was present at the FIFA the best awards on Monday night and she was Among the FIFA delegates who presented awards to it’s various recipients in Paris.