They also proposed the creation of a review committee with player representation to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.
A group of more than 100 professional soccer players sent an open letter on Monday to the FIFAurging world football’s governing body to end its partnership with oil and gas conglomerate Saudi Aramco.
In April, FIFA signed a four-year agreement that will make Aramco a global partner, including in tournaments as important as the 2026 World Cup and the Women’s World Cup of the following year.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports such as football, Formula 1 and golf in recent years, while its detractors, including women’s rights groups and members of the LGBTQ communityaccuse the kingdom of using its Public Investment Fund to carry out sports laundering of its human rights record. The country denies the accusations of human rights abuses and claims to protect its national security through its laws.
Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedemathe captain of Canada, Jessie Flemingand the former captain of the United States, Becky Sauerbrunnwere some of the players who signed the letter.
“We urge FIFA to reconsider this partnership and replace Saudi Aramco with alternative sponsors whose values are in line with the gender equality, human rights and the safe future of our planet“, state the players in the letter.
They also proposed the creation of a review committee with player representation to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.
FIFA’s response
FIFA noted the impact of sponsorship revenue on investment in women’s football. “FIFA values its partnership with Aramco and its many other commercial and rights partners,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
“FIFA is an inclusive organizationwith many commercial partners who also support other organizations in football and other sports.
“Sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvest in the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increaseincluding for the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and its innovative new distribution model.”
An Aramco representative said they would respond to the letter as soon as possible.
Source: Ambito
