FIFA President Defends Decision To Name Supermodel Adriana Lima As Women's World Cup Ambassador

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended his organization's decision to appoint supermodel Adriana Lima as its inaugural global ambassador of the Women's World Cup.

Brazilian Lima, 41, was chosen by FIFA to "develop, promote and participate in several global initiatives" leading up to this year's tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

But former FIFA council member Moya Dodd branded Lima's appointment as "tone deaf".

Adriana Lima pictured at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 in Paris earlier this week

IMAGO/PanoramiC/Elyxandro Cegarra

Dodd, who is the former leader of FIFA's task force for women's football, tweeted: "Seriously, #FIFA, is this the fan engagement ambassador we need as the @FIFAWWC approaches? #tonedeaf."

In a later post on LinkedIn, Dodd added: "When a girl plays football, the world sees her differently.

"Instead of being complimented on her nice looks or her pretty dress, she is valued for her game-saving tackles and brilliant goal-scoring.

"She's admired for what she can DO, rather than how she looks, putting her on a more equal footing with her brothers in a way that can alter the whole trajectory of her life's ambitions."

Lima was pictured with Infantino on Monday at The Best FIFA Football Awards in Paris.

Infantino said in a FIFA statement: "When you get to meet Adriana, you feel right away her warmth, kindness, and how approachable and passionate she is about our game.

"She lives and breathes 'futebol' and that is also why she can be an excellent link between FIFA and fans worldwide.'