The dreams of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter have come true. The UK’s first Lingerie Football League will officially launch next Wednesday, despite an uproar of disapproval from feminists throughout the land.

Sepp Blatters 17 year reign at FIFA was riddled with controversy and scandal. He once said that the women’s game would be far more appealing if players wore ‘tighter shorts’. Blatters comments were widely condemned, but somehow the sexist former president still managed to cling onto power.

Somewhat surprisingly this ‘lingerie league’ has been started by a woman, Gemma Hughes, and she is adamant that this idea will promote gender equality in sport.

This is what she has to say:

Hughes told Manchester Confidential:

“I’m 23-years-old now and I don’t want to be waiting another 20 years to see women’s football make money from sponsorships. We know this is scandalous, we know it’s controversial, but that media attention is what’s going to sell tickets.

All money made is going to be put back into women’s football and to the players. This is not about the players looking beautiful or sexy, it’s about women looking like women. You only have to look at tennis – the women dress like women and they get same equal pay and similar amount of sponsorship as men.”

This was the official press launch:

Hughes added:

LFL UK will increase public interest in women’s football so that women’s teams can play to packed stadiums, just like the elite men’s football teams. I believe I’m an activist,” explains Hughes.

“People have a knee jerk reaction when they hear about the Lingerie Football League. But this is not an original idea, it’s seen plenty of success in the United States and is one of their fastest emerging sports.”

Tracey Halpin, coach of Denton Phoenix girl’s team, said LFL UK does not set a good impression for young girls wanting to take up the sport.

She said:

“I think it is sexist for a number of reasons. Why else would men come and watch women play in their lingerie? It wouldn’t be for the reason to watch them play football. It seems like a crazy, crazy thing. I have worked with 30 young girls, I don’t think their parents would be impressed.

It doesn’t set am impression to young girls this is a reason you should play football. You don’t see any men playing football in their underwear. I would say it brings it all backwards.”

The first game of the season will take place on the roof of the hotel built by Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. So they must be happy to promote this controversial idea.

Personally I don’t believe this will lead to any increase in popularity in the woman’s game. All it will do is encourage the objectification of woman, people will be concentrating on their boobs and bums rather than their skill.