Crossing borders: Norway's Klaveness raises the question of UEFA nations equality
February 21 - She may not have much of a chance of success, but when Lise Klaveness runs for a job on the UEFA executive committee in April, she will be looking to turn years of male dominance on its head.< /p>
While Frenchwoman Florence Hardouin will be replaced by Welshwoman Laura McAllister in the special women's seat, Klaveness (pictured) will try to do the impossible: win a place traditionally reserved for male candidates.
The Football Association of Norway president is one of 11 European officials vying for the seven available spots on UEFA's 20-member executive committee.
Klaveness's audacious bid to be elected added further interest to the UEFA Congress on April 5, where Aleksander Ceferin will be unopposed for re-election to the presidency he has held since 2016.
>Last March, Klaveness made headlines around the world in a scathing speech criticizing both FIFA for hosting the World Cup in Qatar and the host country for its record on migrant workers and the community LGBT.
At the FIFA Congress in Doha, Klaveness spoke towards the end of a two-hour congress that had turned into another Gianni Infantino-centric show, with no dissent or discussion.
Five months after his powerful speech calling for inclusion, reparations for the families of workers who died building the World Cup stadiums, and upholding basic human rights principles, Klaveness could easily have contested the reserved seat for women on the UEFA exco, but chose to take the riskier option.
"I would find it demotivating to block another woman," she told Britain's Guardian newspaper. "I got a lot of advice that I should go for the women's seat, that it's a lower threshold [and easier to win], but it's crucial for me to follow through."
Klaveness admits that her chances of success were significantly reduced by her outspoken intervention in Qatar, even though privately she would have won considerable support.
"People tell me it's too difficult and I can't wait, but for me it's a responsibility because I can help a lot of countries to develop women's and women's football and build grassroots clubs stronger."
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1677013968labto1677013968ofdlr1677013968owedi1677013968sni@w1677013968ahsra1677013968w.wer1677013968dna1677013968
February 21 - She may not have much of a chance of success, but when Lise Klaveness runs for a job on the UEFA executive committee in April, she will be looking to turn years of male dominance on its head.< /p>
While Frenchwoman Florence Hardouin will be replaced by Welshwoman Laura McAllister in the special women's seat, Klaveness (pictured) will try to do the impossible: win a place traditionally reserved for male candidates.
The Football Association of Norway president is one of 11 European officials vying for the seven available spots on UEFA's 20-member executive committee.
Klaveness's audacious bid to be elected added further interest to the UEFA Congress on April 5, where Aleksander Ceferin will be unopposed for re-election to the presidency he has held since 2016.
>Last March, Klaveness made headlines around the world in a scathing speech criticizing both FIFA for hosting the World Cup in Qatar and the host country for its record on migrant workers and the community LGBT.
At the FIFA Congress in Doha, Klaveness spoke towards the end of a two-hour congress that had turned into another Gianni Infantino-centric show, with no dissent or discussion.
Five months after his powerful speech calling for inclusion, reparations for the families of workers who died building the World Cup stadiums, and upholding basic human rights principles, Klaveness could easily have contested the reserved seat for women on the UEFA exco, but chose to take the riskier option.
"I would find it demotivating to block another woman," she told Britain's Guardian newspaper. "I got a lot of advice that I should go for the women's seat, that it's a lower threshold [and easier to win], but it's crucial for me to follow through."
Klaveness admits that her chances of success were significantly reduced by her outspoken intervention in Qatar, even though privately she would have won considerable support.
"People tell me it's too difficult and I can't wait, but for me it's a responsibility because I can help a lot of countries to develop women's and women's football and build grassroots clubs stronger."
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1677013968labto1677013968ofdlr1677013968owedi1677013968sni@w1677013968ahsra1677013968w.wer1677013968dna1677013968
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