FIFA women’s World Cup Australian steering committee member says Adelaide Oval agreements have blocked the bid
Adelaide will continue to miss out on major sporting events, such as the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup, until the State Government commits to a new stadium, says cup bid steering committee nominee Greg Griffin.
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Adelaide will continue to be snubbed for major soccer tournaments unless a new minimum 23,000-person capacity stadium is built, says Greg Griffin.
Griffin is the nominee of Australian Professional Football Clubs Association for the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup steering committee.
After The Advertiser revealed Adelaide was not in a position to be included in a bid for 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup matches in Australia, Griffin said it was no surprise.
Adelaide in 2015 also blew its chance to host any of the hugely successful AFC Asian Cup which the Socceroos won.
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“The only plausible reason for Adelaide to be not included in the states that form part of the FIFA women’s World Cup bid document would be its refusal to guarantee to the organiser (Football Federation Australia) a stadium of not less than 23,000 capacity for the duration of the World Cup,’’ Griffin said.
“We know that the money spent by the government on Adelaide Oval has effectively gone to AFL football and cricket due to the contracts in place.
“So the State Government is obliged, if it wants any part of the women’s World Cup, to commit to a new rectangular stadium which will attract significant Federal Government support.
“There is no other reason why Adelaide would be excluded from the bid document.”
Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ridgway told The Advertiser the decision followed “a comprehensive event analysis” and stadium “challenges”.
“FIFA requires venues to execute its Stadium Agreements unaltered to be eligible for selection,’’ he said.
“Coopers (Hindmarsh) Stadium (16,500 capacity) no longer meets the minimum seating requirement of 22,065, revised this year and communicated to us in early May.”
The last time Adelaide hosted a major women’s football tournament was in 2006.
SA hosted the entire eight nations of the AFC women’s Asian Cup and Australia.
It was also the last time the Matildas featured in Adelaide.
This year’s FIFA women’s World Cup in France broke global TV records.
This came after more than 1.39 million Australians watched SBS TV’s broadcast of the Matildas playing Italy in France on the opening weekend.
Australian domestic TV viewing figures for the entire tournament eclipsed those recorded for the 2015 FIFA women’s World Cup in Canada.
Research conducted by True North revealed the Matildas were Australia’s “most loved sporting team”.