FIFA came under fire earlier this week over the appointment of supermodel Adriana Lima as its global fan ambassador.
World soccer’s governing body said Lima’s role will be to develop, promote and participate in various initiatives around the world to help grow soccer.
«When you meet Adriana, you immediately feel her warmth, kindness and how accessible and passionate she is about our game,» FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a press release. «She lives and breathes ‘football’ and that is why she too can be an excellent link between FIFA and fans around the world.»
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Brazilian model Adriana Lima poses on the green carpet before the Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris, France, Monday, February 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
However, not everyone in the soccer world was satisfied with FIFA’s decision to name Lima.
Moya Dodd, a former Australian rules football star who played in the first FIFA women’s world tournament and later became a senior soccer executive at FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation and the Australian Football Federation, criticized to the organization by the appointment of Lima.
Dodd criticized the move as «silly» and was «baffled» by FIFA’s marketing strategy. Dodd would expand on those thoughts in a LinkedIn post.
«At first, the model’s public image (see Twitter graphic below) seemed odd for an organization that says it wants to empower girls and women, and whose president must be ‘vanguard’ to promote gender equality (yes , that’s in the FIFA Governance Regulations),» Dodd wrote.
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Moya Dodd, Vice President of the AFC, speaks during the 63rd FIFA Congress at the Swami Vivekananda International Convention Center on May 31, 2013, in Port Louis, Mauritius. (Alexander Hassenstein – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
«But generalizations aside, a quick Wikicheck showed that this model was specifically known for eating and drinking on a strict diet, and for believing that abortion is a crime. Losing 8 pounds (about 3.5 kilos) in 9 days will not It doesn’t sound safe at all, nor is it consistent with the healthy ‘athlete mind’ she refers to.
«I asked if the FIFA ambassador will deliver messages on body image, wellness and healthy eating, or on a woman’s right to choose.»
Dodd wondered how Lima would grow the game.
Moya Dodd attends a FIFA executive committee meeting press conference on December 3, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images)
«Because when a girl plays soccer, the world sees her differently,» added Dodd. «Instead of being praised for her good looks or pretty dress, she’s praised for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goals. She’s admired for what she can DO, rather than her looks, which puts her in the spotlight.» on a more equal footing with his siblings in a way that can alter the entire trajectory of his life’s ambitions.
«In the year 2023™ of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand™, that is the message that should ring loud and true around the world. Where a supermodel fits into this is truly baffling.»
Lima described the appointment as a «great honor» in a statement on social media.
«As a true ‘brasileira’, soccer is in my blood! It is a great honor to be part of the FIFA Family, FIFAMILY, as we call it! As a fan, I look forward to connecting this family on a higher level in the life of this beautiful sport – fans! welcome to FIFAN,» he wrote.
Adriana Lima and Andrés Cantor prepare to announce the winner of the award to the fans during the Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 on February 27, 2023 in Paris. (Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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FIFA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment regarding Dodd’s criticism.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is scheduled to kick off on July 20.
Associated Press contributed to this report.