Indigenous and Maori people are in the spotlight

Mathieu Warnier, Media 365: Posted on Fri Jul 07 2023 at 1:30pm.

With just under two weeks left before the Women’s World Cup kicks off, FIFA has confirmed that Aboriginal and Maori flags will be flown at stadiums hosting the competition in Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA decided to make a gesture in favor of the First Peoples of Australia and New Zealand. While the names of the tournament’s 10 host cities appear in both English and local languages ​​in the federation’s communication, the organizers of the Women’s World Cup on Friday confirmed their choice to fly indigenous flags in the stadiums. It will start on July 20 at Eden Park in Auckland and conclude a month later at Stadium Australia in Sydney. Football Australia president James Johnson said: “FIFA’s confirmation that all Australian flags will be flown at the World Cup is an important moment for all Australians, especially First Nations people.” The latter adds, “This decision is in line with the values ​​of diversity and inclusion that our organization holds, and is in line with our vision for the tournament.”

Infantino: “These flags express the desire for mutual respect”

On the New Zealand side, this clause introduced by FIFA is seen as a possible example for future international football competitions regarding “the worldwide recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples”. For his part, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a press release that “these flags express a desire for mutual respect, national identity and recognition of the indigenous cultures of our hosts.” As Australia hosts 35 of the competition’s 64 matches at six venues located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, the Aboriginal flag will fly alongside Australia’s. For the remaining 29 matches, played on New Zealand soil in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton, it will be the emblem of the Maori nation alongside the New Zealand flag. A gesture of openness from FIFA following the international body’s decision to accept a letter highlighting the rainbow on the captain’s armband as part of the Women’s World Cup.