Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are flying at FIFA’s match venues in Australia – but the world governing body has been accused of co-opting Indigenous imagery and failing to walk the talk.
An Indigenous-led football body has accused FIFA of “empty symbolism” by leveraging Indigenous culture at the FIFA Women’s World Cup without committing any legacy funding towards programs that support First Nations involvement in the game.which was formed last year to oversee the development of the successful John Moriarty Football initiative
, has released an open letter it says was originally sent two days ago to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. A response was delivered on Tuesday by FIFA’s chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman, who promised specific investment would be forthcoming. Adam Goodes and Craig Foster, who sit on the Indigenous Football Australia council, have taken aim at FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Bareman’s own words are used against her in the IFA letter, which highlights how she declared in a pre-tournament interview with the ABC that “We [FIFA] cannot come and just play and leave” – and then claims that is exactly what is about to happen., along with the Maori flag in New Zealand, and one of the eight controversial armbands permitted for captains to wear bears the message: ‘United for Indigenous Peoples’.
Football Australia said the NSW government's contribution included provision of funds for a First Nations football program, supporting the expansion of the NAIDOC Cup competition for under-14 and under-16 boys and girls in the state.
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