This Monday, a group of more than 100 professional footballers from 24 countries sent an open letter to the International Football Federation (FIFA) calling on world football’s governing body to end its commercial partnership with Aramco, the state-owned oil and gas company Saudi Arabiaaccording to Reuters.
Six months ago, in April, FIFA signed a four-year agreement that made Aramco a main global partner along with other globally renowned firms, especially in the most important events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Among the signatories, the Vivianne MiedemaManchester City striker; the captain of Canada, Jessie Fleming; Becky Sauerbrunnformer captain of the United States; or the Spanish Maitane LopezNew York Gotham player.
«Saudi authorities have spent billions on sports sponsorships to attempt to divert attention from the regime’s brutal reputation on human rights, but his treatment of women and homosexuals speaks for itself,” the letter reads.
“We urge FIFA to reconsider this partnership and replace Aramco with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights and the secure future of our planet,” the footballers add.
They also propose creating a review committee with player representation to evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.
Saudi has invested and invests a lot in sports such as football, Formula 1 and golf in recent years, while critics, including women’s rights groups and community members LGBTQaccuse the Saudi kingdom of using its Public Investment Fund to “sportswash” its human rights record.
The country denies allegations of human rights abuses and says it protects its national security through its laws.
«Sponsorship revenue generated by FIFA is reinvested into the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increase, even for the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and its innovative new distribution model,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
An Aramco representative said they would respond to the letter as soon as possible.
#footballers #rebel #Saudi #money #brutally #oppresses #women #homosexuals
