World Press Association criticizes Fifa's withdrawal from World Cup talks

To the regret of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the world's leading news agencies, FIFA has broken off talks on the strict restrictions on World Cup coverage. This is despite the fact that the differences of opinion regarding the publication of World Cup images on the Internet have not been resolved. In a letter from the WAN to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the restrictions "represent both an encroachment on editorial freedom and independence and a clear violation of the right to freedom of information". It also accuses the football association of high-handedness and its policy of maximizing profits. Since the beginning of the talks in September 2005, the WAN had achieved far-reaching improvements compared to the original regulation that photos may only be published on the Internet two hours after the match. Photos may now be posted online at the final whistle of the match. However, no more than five photos per half and two per extra time, including penalties. As the world governing body writes in its communiqué published on Thursday, it, the European press photo agency Epa, the news agency Agence Presse, Reuters, Getty Images and Dpa will examine their legal options and inform the World Cup sponsors about the significant loss of visibility of their brands due to FIFA's publication restrictions. According to Fifa, the embargo period and the limit on the number of photos are necessary to protect the contracts with the licensees.