ZURICH: More than 100 professional women’s footballers have signed an open letter urging FIFA to drop the Saudi oil giant Aramco as a sponsor, calling it a “punch in the stomach” to the sport.
Earlier this year football’s world governing body announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned firm that will run until 2027, giving the company sponsorship rights to the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup the following year.
The players, drawn from 24 countries, want FIFA to reconsider the deal on humanitarian and environmental grounds.
Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema is one of the signatories. The Netherlands international said: “I think as footballers, and especially as women’s footballers, we carry the responsibility to show the world and the next generation what is right.
“I think this sponsorship is not right for what FIFA stands for, but also what we as women footballers stand for.
“FIFA always shout that they want the game to be inclusive, and they want the game to lead by example. Well, if so, then make sure that you align with sponsorships that are leading by example.”
FIFA always insists that sponsorship revenues are reinvested in the women’s game at all levels. The Gulf kingdom has been criticised for its human rights violations, women’s rights abuses and the criminalisation of homosexuality.
The company already has sponsorship deals with Formula One and golf’s Ladies European Tour, and is a partner of the International Cricket Council.
Players uniting against the sponsorship have more than 2,300 international caps between them and include England defender Niamh Charles, as well as the captains of Canada and Italy’s national teams.
They have been supported in their campaign by the organisation Athletes of the World, external, which brings together sportspeople to advocate on issues such as climate change and poverty.
Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen was one of the architects of the letter, external which describes the sponsorship as “worse than an own goal” adding that women’s football “deserves better” from its governing body.
She said: “We would like Fifa to replace Saudi Aramco with other sponsors whose values align more with with gender equality, human rights and a safe planet for everyone. Then we also suggest that they create a committee with player representation who can be part of deciding which sponsors should be chosen [in the future].”
Both Pedersen and Miedema agree that different sponsors should be sought even if it means the deals are less lucrative for women’s football.
Miedema says that if Aramco remains as a sponsor for the 2027 Women’s World Cup it could lead to further action from players.
She added: “I think you’ve seen over the past couple of years that women’s teams are not scared to stand up for what they believe in. You’ve seen boycotts from numerous teams, obviously recently, like with the America team, with the Canadian team, everyone is very open and willing to share their opinions.
“That shows you that going forward, there will be a lot of attention and there will definitely be things happening around the World Cup.”
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