Resigned Asllani: "It's totally outdated"

The planning of the Ballon d'Or gala is "outdated" and the flattery with Saudi Arabia is new evidence that no one is listening. Kosovare Asllani is so tired of Uefa and Fifa that she launches an unexpected idea: a new association just for women's football. We have stretched out our hand for 100 years and not seen any greater change.

» Published: October 23 2024

Resigned Asllani: "It's totally outdated"
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Share this article

For almost exactly a year ago, Asllani sighed over the Ballon d'or gala being held right in the middle of the women's Nations League gathering.

At the Achille Hammerel stadium in Luxembourg, she just shakes her head when it turns out that the European Football Association (Uefa), which organizes the gala together with the football magazine France Football, has done it again.

I have no comments anymore. I feel that it doesn't matter what we say, says Asllani ahead of Sweden's European Championship playoff away against Luxembourg.

Private jet to the gala

The gala, where the world's best football players are awarded on both the women's and men's sides, is held on Monday. The day after, several women's national teams will play decisive playoff matches.

Sweden meets Luxembourg in the return match at Gamla Ullevi on Tuesday, but has no nominees for the Ballon d'Or.

Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen, on the other hand, is nominated. According to NRK, Barcelona star Graham Hansen will be flown with a private jet to the gala on Monday, and then back to the national team gathering for the return match against Albania.

It's the players who are suffering. But it doesn't matter what we say. We can keep talking, but if we talk to a wall – what difference does it make? But if you want to hear what I think, it's totally outdated, says Asllani.

The 35-year-old midfielder has had reason to criticize football's heaviest associations many times before. But she's about to give up.

Saudi sponsor despite everything

The fact that the International Football Association (Fifa) has this year entered into a sponsorship agreement with the state-owned Saudi oil company Aramco, she sees as another sign that criticism doesn't stick.

Last spring, Fifa announced, after strong protests, that the tourist organization Visit Saudi would not sponsor the women's World Championship 2023.

A year later, Aramco is still coming in as an important partner.

So what should you do if no one listens? Kosovare Asllani has an idea.

For my part, if I could, I would have started my own association, just focused on women's football. To choose our own sponsors and distribute the money as we want it to be distributed. That's the next step.

Lasse Mannheimer/TT

Facts: The road to the European Championship

TT

Qualified for the European Championship 2025: Switzerland (host nation), France, England, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Iceland.

The remaining seven spots will be filled through a playoff in two stages. The teams will meet home and away. The first match is played on Friday with the return match on Tuesday next week.

Playoff, teams from Division A against teams from Division C:

Luxembourg–Sweden, Romania–Poland, Greece–Belgium, Montenegro–Finland, Georgia–Ireland, Slovenia–Austria, Belarus–Czech Republic, Albania–Norway.

Division B's "internal" playoff:

Turkey–Ukraine, Croatia–Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina–Serbia, Azerbaijan–Portugal, Hungary–Scotland, Slovakia–Wales.

The final playoff stage (in the November-December shift).

Luxembourg/Sweden–Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia, Azerbaijan/Portugal–Belarus/Czech Republic, Hungary/Scotland–Montenegro/Finland, Turkey/Ukraine–Greece/Belgium, Slovakia/Wales–Georgia/Ireland, Romania/Poland–Slovenia/Austria, Croatia/Northern Ireland–Albania/Norway.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Häcken Misses League Lead After Penalty Miss Against Kristianstad
2 MIN READ

Häcken Misses League Lead After Penalty Miss Against Kristianstad

Swedish Canoeist Melina Andersson Wins Gold at Marathon World Championship
1 MIN READ

Swedish Canoeist Melina Andersson Wins Gold at Marathon World Championship

Verstappen Secures Pole Position for Italian Grand Prix at Monza
1 MIN READ

Verstappen Secures Pole Position for Italian Grand Prix at Monza

Kosovare Asllani Scores Historic Goal in London City Lionesses Debut
1 MIN READ

Kosovare Asllani Scores Historic Goal in London City Lionesses Debut

Emil Krafth Supports Alexander Isak Amid Transfer Controversy
3 MIN READ

Emil Krafth Supports Alexander Isak Amid Transfer Controversy

Hammarby Reclaims Damallsvenskan Lead with Victory Over Malmö FF
3 MIN READ

Hammarby Reclaims Damallsvenskan Lead with Victory Over Malmö FF

Swedish Referee Decision Sparks Controversy in Euro Championship Loss
3 MIN READ

Swedish Referee Decision Sparks Controversy in Euro Championship Loss

PSG Frustrated After Ousmane Dembélé's Injury in France Match
1 MIN READ

PSG Frustrated After Ousmane Dembélé's Injury in France Match

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78
1 MIN READ

Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Dies at 78

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"
2 MIN READ

Elanga Reflects on Slovenia Draw: "Feels Like a Loss"

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match
2 MIN READ

Robin Olsen Reflects on Costly Mistake in Slovenia Match

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown
2 MIN READ

Sinner and Alcaraz Set for US Open Final Showdown

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit
2 MIN READ

Djokovic Plans Full Grand Slam Season Next Year After US Open Exit

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia
1 MIN READ

Yasin Ayari Shines Despite Sweden's Draw Against Slovenia

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final
1 MIN READ

Carlos Alcaraz Reaches Third Straight Grand Slam Final

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk
1 MIN READ

No Playing Time for Isak in World Cup Qualifier Due to High Risk

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier
1 MIN READ

Switzerland Dominates Kosovo 4-0 in World Championship Qualifier

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1
1 MIN READ

Frölunda Wins SDHL Season Opener Against Luleå 2-1

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer
3 MIN READ

Sweden Draws 2-2 with Slovenia After Last-Minute Equalizer

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final
1 MIN READ

17-Year-Old Lea Nilsson Reaches US Open Junior Final