By Andrew Warshaw
January 21 – In the first of his ideas for developing football, unlikely FIFA presidential hopeful David Ginola says he would stage the men’s and women’s World Cup at the same time, Olympic-style, if he gets elected on May 29. The women would play after the men’s competition is completed.
The Frenchman, whose left-field announcement last week that he wanted to stand against Sepp Blatter caused general bemusement (and a fair amount of amusement), said combining the tournaments would raise the profile of the women’s game.
Ginola, who needs the support of five football associations to be eligible for election and must have shown active involvement in the game for two of the past five years, is certainly not allowing adverse reaction to his prospective candidacy to affect him, saying he plans to announce a policy a day in the lead up to the January 29 nomination deadline.
“Lack of equality in football is a burning issue that FIFA has so far dismally failed to address,” said the Frenchman, somewhat of a heart-throb in his playing days.
“Despite talented players, dedicated fans and far-reaching interest around the sport, women’s football continues to be limited by both attitudinal and financial discrimination. In this day and age, it’s just not good enough.
“One of the key ways we’ll make a difference is by adopting the Olympic model that sees all athletes compete under one banner, in one country, during one timeframe.
“I want to unite every single one of the world’s football players and fans behind a global spectacular that takes the World Cup and, with it, women’s football to new heights.”
The former French international winger, who is being paid £250,000 by a bookmaker to run for FIFA president, told the BBC: “We want the women’s World Cup to be organised and played right after the men’s World Cup.”
Ginola is attempting to raise £2.3m from public donations to fund his campaign but according to reports, as of Tuesday lunchtime, he had raised just £5,506 towards that total – the equivalent of just 0.27%.
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