New Delhi, Oct 21
Over 100 professional female footballers from 24 countries have called for an end to FIFA's sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest state-owned oil and gas company.
In April this year, FIFA signed a four-year global partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned firm that will run until 2027 with rights across multiple events including FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
The players from 24 countries in a letter said that FIFA’s announcement of Saudi Aramco as its major partner "has set us so far back" that it’s hard to fully take in. "Saudi Aramco is the main money-pump for Saudi Arabia, who have a track record of human rights violations against women and other minorities, including the LGBTQIA+ community."
"We urge FIFA to reconsider this partnership and replace Saudi Aramco with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights and the safe future of our planet. We also propose the establishment of a review committee with player representation, to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals and ensure they align with our sport's values and goals," the letter read.
Saudi Arabia has been accused of continuous violations of human rights, particularly regarding gender equality and freedom of expression.