“We’ll Simply Not Sell” – Months After Megan Rapinoe’s Ripped Into ‘Corrupt’ FIFA, Gianni Infantino Threatens a Shock Women’s World Cup Blackout

The women’s soccer universe has had a few pioneers like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. For the longest time, Rapinoe has fought against her own country’s soccer board to achieve equal pay with their male counterparts in the sport. When it comes to women’s rights, Rapinoe has proved that she can go to any extent if she senses injustice.

Last year, she took a direct shot at FIFA and its President by shockingly calling the entire organization corrupt.

However, FIFA’s President has made an unexpected comeback. With the Women’s World Cup just a few months away, Gianni Infantino issued a warning to every soccer broadcaster interested in bidding.

Infantino warns broadcasters about a possible ‘blackout’

FIFA’s President, Gianni Infantino, is seemingly furious with the current bids for broadcasting rights of the upcoming World Cup. The prestigious Women’s World Cup is around the corner. As always, the USWNT is in line as the absolute favorite to lift the trophy again. But as a soccer fan, just imagine if you couldn’t witness a single moment of the World Cup!

Just a day ago, Infantino stated that a ‘blackout’ for the Women’s World Cup could be a possibility. He went on record and warned every European broadcaster. Infantino simply made it clear that he wouldn’t sell the rights if the bids did not improve. He said, “We’ll simply not sell these rights at these undervalued prices to them and, well, the European public will not be able to watch the Women’s World Cup”.

The President also made a reference to the equal-pay dispute. He stated that if FIFA can increase the prize pool of the Women’s World Cup, even broadcasters “should put their action behind their words, because they rightfully criticize football organizations, or other sports organizations, for not paying women and men equally, or not having the same prize money”.

READ MORE: “If the Federation Won, Everybody Loses” – Megan Rapinoe Reflects Upon Her Persistent Fight To Achieve Equal Pay for USWNT Players

Despite Infantino making the case for the broadcasters to do their parts, Megan Rapinoe isn’t convinced and doesn’t share the best relations with FIFA.

Megan Rapinoe once slammed FIFA for its corruptness

Sometime last year, Megan Rapinoe made an appearance on the ‘Pod Save the World’ podcast. During the chat, Tommy Vietor and Roger Bennett asked the soccer veteran for her controversial take on FIFA. She first clarified by stating that FIFA is one of the most powerful organizations in the world, whether it is politics or sports.

Without any hesitation, she further quoted, “And I’ve said before that FIFA doesn’t care because they don’t. And it’s very clear what they do care about. FIFA is about corruptly making as much money as possible”. After criticizing FIFA, Infantino increased the prize money for the Women’s World Cup by 300% to $150 million in March.

WATCH THIS STORY: Lia Thomas’s NCAA’s Swimming Competitor Holds Megan Rapinoe Responsible for Controversy Surrounding Transgender Athletes in Women’s Sports

Is there actually a chance for a ‘blackout’ surrounding the upcoming Women’s World Cup? Let us know in the comments below.