FIFA has abandoned plans to restrict the use of images from the World Cup finals on media internet sites following a meeting between president Sepp Blatter and Timothy Balding, CEO of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).
In a statement issued by FIFA on Monday, Blatter said that photographic images taken by accredited media could be made readily available in the same manner as text reports. "We understand that the publication of images and text must be treated with the same approach for the sake of maintaining a transparent information management policy that respects the freedom of the press," Blatter said.
The dispute centred on the rights of newspapers to publish pictures from games on their websites. FIFA had insisted that no photos be published on websites until after the final whistle of matches and limited the number of web published photos to five per match half and two for extra time, including penalty shoot-outs. WAN had opposed the restrictions on the grounds that they interfered with media freedom to report.
"I am satisfied that we have been able to amend the earlier position taken and thus recognise WAN's justified requirements," he said. FIFA had originally placed limits on the number of photos that websites could use – as well as stipulating that no photos could be used until two hours after the end of matches.
WAN has been negotiating with FIFA to drop the restrictions since last September. A delegation met with Blatter and other FIFA officials on January 9, with the two sides agreeing to set up a joint working party to find solutions. "WAN and the world press community warmly welcome this wise and enlightened decision by Blatter, which will benefit tens of millions of readers of newspaper websites worldwide," said Balding.
"In eliminating limits on the number of pictures that can be posted on Internet sites and in permitting their free publication during the course of World Cup matches, FIFA is upholding the traditional values of the free press and preserving the full free flow of information to the media and their audiences, " Balding said.
"We acknowledge that this has not been an easy decision for FIFA to take, which is all the more reason for us to be delighted that a common position has now been found," he said. WAN had threatened to explore possible legal action after FIFA earlier refused to lift the embargo.
