FIFA Warns Networks to Stop Focusing on Women in World Cup Stands

The soccer organization no longer wants broadcasters zooming in on "hot women" in the crowd.

Female soccer fans of Croatia are seen before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia semi final match between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on July 11, 2018.
 (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Female soccer fans of Croatia are seen before the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia semi final match between Croatia and England at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, on July 11, 2018. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The head of diversity at FIFA has warned the soccer organization’s broadcasting partners to stop zooming in on “hot women” in the crowd at World Cup matches.

Speaking before yesterday’s match between Croatia and England about FIFA’s anti-discrimination program in Russia, diversity boss Federico Addiechi said eliminating those type of shots is part of the “natural evolution” of broadcasts.

“We’ve done it with individual broadcasters. We’ve done it with our host broadcast services,” he said. “[FIFA will] take action against things that are wrong.”

According to a group that was hired to follow discrimination at the World Cup, Fare Network, sexism has been a bigger problem in Russia than racism and it has documented more than 30 cases during games.

Russian women being accosted in the streets by male fans has also been an issue at the World Cup, as has female reporters being harassed while working.

Before the tournament began, the biggest concern was homophobia and racism would be a problem. Apparently, sexism has them beat.

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