Indigenous sports leaders and advocates have urged FIFA to address what they’ve called an “egregious omission” of First Nations organisations in Australia in a Women’s World Cup legacy plan.
Former Sydney Swans star Adam Goodes and John Moriarty, the first Indigenous player to make Australia’s national soccer team, are among the signatories to a letter sent to FIFA regarding funding in the wake of the World Cup.
Football Australia’s Legacy ’23 plan, formed in 2021, is a strategy designed to deliver economic, social and health benefits and multicultural inclusion following its co-hosting of the global tournament.
The joint letter to FIFA said while the report released this month features a statement acknowledging First Nations contributors to the success of women’s soccer in Australia, it doesn’t include specific funding for Indigenous programs.
The letter was also signed by Sydney FC’s Indigenous goalkeeper Jada Whyman, A-League women’s players Gema Simon and Allira Toby and former Socceroo Travis Dodd.
“Despite ubiquitous Indigenous culture, symbolism, traditional ceremonies and installations at the World Cup and the holding out of Indigenous culture as something of central value to football, not a single dollar from the legacy program has been committed to organizations that are Indigenous-led,” the letter said.
“Without support for the Indigenous community and their programs, we consider this symbolism empty.”
The letter was also sent to Football Australia.
AP
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