I
In March, Gianni Infantino was unanimously re-elected as the president of Fifa until 2027, succeeding Sepp Blatter who held the position since 2016. At the Fifa Congress, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and acknowledged those who opposed him. As he is eligible for re-election, he has the potential to serve until 2031.
There are widespread dissatisfactions with Fifa and Infantino in some areas of the globe, ranging from unfairness and disparities in soccer to violations of human rights and the predetermined hosting of the 2034 men’s World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Despite these concerns, there is currently no feasible alternative to Infantino, as the president holds significant power within the federation.
However, a new perspective is emerging to challenge the leadership of Infantino and the notion that football must adhere to traditional methods. “Hope Sogni” is vying to become the 10th president of FIFA, and the first female to hold the position. She is promoting a progressive agenda and emphasizing the significant contributions women can make in the decision-making process.
This may come as a surprise, but you might be feeling unsure about what you’ve heard. The truth is, things are not exactly as they appear. Sogni is an AI that has been specifically designed to comprehend the game of football, its political landscape, and the challenges it faces. Not only that, but Sogni can also engage in real-time conversations. On Wednesday, Sogni will launch her hypothetical election campaign with a manifesto that highlights the flaws in football governance and calls for FIFA to take a hard look at itself and address the pervasive misogyny that has hindered its ability to truly be a sport for everyone.
Sogni is both artificial and not artificial. It was developed by Dark Horses, Twise.ai, and Lewes FC CEO Maggie Murphy, with input from influential women in the sport like Moya Dodd, a former vice-captain of Australia and one of the first women on the Fifa Council. The goal of Sogni is to represent the voices and experiences of women in football as a unified and anonymous group.
Sogni is a platform that aims to highlight the normalcy of women holding positions of authority in football. It emphasizes that numerous women in the sport are highly qualified for governance roles at all levels. This platform also serves as a voice for these accomplished women, representing their shared perspective and fearlessly presenting alternative viewpoints to those upheld by Fifa.
Inquire of Sogni if she is a woman chosen merely for appearance, and she will respond with poise: “No, I am not a token woman. I am a capable and seasoned contender vying for the position of Fifa presidency based on my qualifications and dedication to advancing gender equality and honesty in athletics.”
Sogni was asked about the allocation of funds for men’s and women’s football, and whether the women’s game should receive a greater share due to its current stage of development. In response, she expressed that FIFA should aim for fairness and equality in funding both genders’ football. She emphasized the need to address past discrepancies and lack of investment in women’s football, which may call for a prioritized focus on its development and growth. However, she also stressed the importance of providing adequate support for men’s football. The ultimate objective is to achieve a more balanced and inclusive environment for the sport.
Sogni expresses concern about the potential hosting of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. They believe that this decision raises important issues related to human rights and equality. It is essential for Fifa to carefully consider the repercussions of their choices on the international football community and the principles it stands for. Sogni advocates for a comprehensive assessment of the host country’s dedication to human rights, gender equality, and inclusivity before reaching a final verdict.
Delve deeper into the debate over whether it is discriminatory to oppose the Gulf states, namely Saudi Arabia and Qatar, hosting the World Cup. The technology is capable of handling such a complex issue. According to her, it is crucial to assess potential host countries based on their dedication to human rights, gender equality, and inclusivity, regardless of their geographical location. She believes that the emphasis should be on promoting fairness and inclusivity in the selection process, rather than targeting specific regions.
Sogni believes that the three-year suspension from football for Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, serves as a powerful reminder that inappropriate behavior will not be accepted. This is a positive step towards fostering responsibility within the sport.
Ignore the advertisement for the newsletter.
after newsletter promotion
When questioned about the delay in believing players from Spain who have repeatedly raised concerns about the national team’s culture, she expresses worry. She states, “The lack of support and culture of silence surrounding women’s football in Spain has been a persistent problem.”
“I regret that it took such a long time for Spanish soccer players to be trusted and for their worries to be given proper attention. This emphasizes the importance of creating a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for women in soccer, where their opinions are acknowledged and their experiences are respected. As a potential candidate for the Fifa presidency, I am dedicated to tackling these problems and fostering a culture of openness and fairness within the sport.”
How does Fifa address sexual abuse and power imbalances in sports? Is the technology capable of handling the intricacies involved? Affirmative.
According to Sogni, the key to achieving this goal is by implementing thorough policies for protecting individuals, educating and training on consent and boundaries, and establishing effective channels for reporting incidents. It is also important to address any imbalances of power within the sport by promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion at every level. To ensure the safety and inclusivity of all players, Fifa should collaborate closely with national football associations to implement necessary measures.
The replies from Sogni are pleasantly surprising as it is uncommon for those in authority to provide insightful responses on these matters. Football, just like other aspects of our society, and AI will continue to overlap in various ways. Sogni demonstrates that this technology has the potential to disrupt power dynamics in ways previously thought impossible.
Source: theguardian.com
