Over 100 Female Footballers Slam FIFA’s Saudi Aramco Sponsorship
FIFA’s Saudi Aramco Sponsorship Draws Ire of Over 100 Female Footballers
Over 100 professional female footballers from 24 countries have vehemently condemned FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest state-owned oil and gas company. The partnership, signed in April 2023, will run until 2027 and encompass major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
In a strongly worded letter, the players expressed their dismay and disappointment over FIFA’s decision. They highlighted Saudi Arabia’s abysmal human rights record, particularly regarding gender equality and freedom of expression. The letter emphasized that Saudi Aramco, as the primary financial lifeline of the Saudi regime, is complicit in these violations.
The players urged FIFA to reconsider the partnership and seek alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability. They also proposed the establishment of a review committee with player representation to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.
The letter pointed out that FIFA’s Council, which made the decision to partner with Saudi Aramco, is predominantly male (8 out of 37 members are women). The players argued that these decisions are made by individuals who are not directly affected by the Saudi regime’s oppressive policies.
The players also raised concerns about Saudi Arabia’s alleged use of sports sponsorship to whitewash its human rights abuses. They cited the examples of Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, where FIFA’s partnerships with authoritarian regimes raised ethical questions.
Becky Sauerbrunn, former captain of the US National Women’s Team, stated, “The safety of women, the rights of women, LGBTQ rights, and the health of the planet need to take a much bigger priority over FIFA making more money.”
Sofie Junge Pedersen, a Danish international and one of the architects of the letter, emphasized, “Values are not just words to write on a page – you need to live them and stand by them. FIFA needs to stand by its set of values on human rights and sustainability, which they are not doing with this sponsorship.”
The players’ letter has garnered widespread support from human rights organizations and activists. It remains to be seen whether FIFA will respond to the players’ demands and reconsider its partnership with Saudi Aramco.