Former Australia international Moya Dodd has questioned the appointment of supermodel Adriana Lima as FIFA ambassador
Former Australian footballer Moya Dodd has criticized FIFA for choosing Adriana Lima as an ambassador, which to her reckoning, was “an odd fit for an organization that says it wants to empower girls and women”.
Adriana Lima’s appointment by FIFA is ‘truly baffling’, claims Dodd
Dodd has called FIFA’s actions “truly baffling” and “tone deaf”. FIFA revealed Lima’s role on Monday, saying she would “develop, promote and participate in several global initiatives involving fans from all over the world!”.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “When you get to meet Adriana, you feel right away her warmth, kindness, and how approachable and passionate she is about our game. She lives and breathes ‘futebol’ and that is also why she can be an excellent link between FIFA and fans worldwide.”
Dodd questioned the appointment by pointing to Lima’s past comments about the benefits of crash dieting as well as calling abortion “a crime”.
Dodd went on to say: “I asked whether the FIFA ambassador will be delivering messages on body image, wellbeing and healthy eating; or on a woman’s right to choose?
“And it made me wonder: what will this ambassador represent to the large and growing population of aspirational #womensfootball players and fans who love the game because it shows us what empowerment and equality can look like?
“Because when a girl plays football, the world sees her differently. Instead of being complimented on her nice looks or her pretty dress, she is valued for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goal-scoring.
“She’s admired for what she can DO, rather than how she looks, putting her on a more equal footing with her brothers in a way that can alter the whole trajectory of her life’s ambitions.”
Dodd added that, given this is a World Cup year: “That’s the message that should be ringing loud and true around the world. Where a super-model fits into this is truly baffling.”
