The speech that changed women’s football

World Football

Hear the untold story of how a science teacher from Oslo made a speech that would change the future of women’s football.

In 1986, Ellen Wille became the first female to speak at a FIFA Congress and in a room full of men demanded women should have a FIFA World Cup and play football at the Olympics. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Vice President Sepp Blatter accepted the challenge, although it did take some time.

Within two years FIFA staged a Women’s Invitational Event, and still not ready to call it a FIFA World Cup in 1991, the Women’s FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup took place. That’s not easy to say!

Finally – although it took nine years – in 1995 Sweden hosted the first FIFA Women’s World Cup and, significantly for Ellen, it was her home nation Norway who lifted the trophy.

Caroline Barker went to Oslo to track down Ellen Wille. She speaks to former president of the Football Association of Norway, Per Ravn Omdal; current President Lise Klaveness; and Norway’s 1995 World Cup winners Hege Riise and Linda Meladen.

Presented by Caroline Barker

Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service

Photo: Ellen Wille speaking to the BBC World Service (Credit: BBC)