“This sponsorship is much worse than an own goal for football.” This powerful statement is one of many striking quotes in the open letter signed by over 100 professional women’s football players, calling on FIFA to terminate its partnership with Saudi Aramco. The deal, struck in April, grants the majority state-owned oil and gas conglomerate sponsorship rights for major football tournaments, including the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Yet, just over half a year later, women’s football is rallying against this partnership, driven by humanitarian and environmental concerns, as well as ongoing issues surrounding Saudi Arabia’s treatment of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The open letter, featuring notable signatures such as Becky Sauerbrunn, former USWNT captain, and Vivianne Miedema, one of the game’s top strikers, argues that this partnership contradicts the core values of football. Addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the letter highlights the Saudi authorities’ ongoing violations of women’s rights and civil liberties, presenting stark statements about the implications of this sponsorship. One of the letter’s concerns addresses LGBTQ+ players, stating: “Imagine LGBTQ+ players, many of whom are heroes of our sport, being expected to promote Saudi Aramco during the 2027 World Cup, the national oil company of a regime that criminalizes the relationships they are in and the values they stand for.”
Additionally, recent human rights violations highlight the absurdity of such a partnership, as players are expected to endorse a country that imposes long prison sentences on women for advocating for their rights. For instance, Salma al-Shehab received a staggering 34-year prison term for tweeting in support of women’s rights, while Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced to 11 years in prison for using social media to challenge rules requiring women to obtain permission from a male relative to marry or travel.
This sponsorship is viewed as one of Saudi Arabia’s latest attempts at “sportswashing,” a concept that involves using prominent sporting events to project a favorable image of the country while diverting attention from its humanitarian shortcomings. Notable examples of such partnerships include the Kingdom’s investments in Formula One and golf.
In response to the open letter, FIFA highlighted that revenue generated through partnerships like the Aramco deal is reinvested into the development of women’s football. While it’s true that FIFA invested a historic $499 million into the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which saw record attendance and viewership, this raises significant moral questions. Specifically, is it worthwhile to accept financial backing from a corporation that contradicts the core values upheld by many athletes in the sport?
Erin McLeod encapsulated the dilemma succinctly, stating that FIFA’s priorities are clear: “They’ve prioritized money over the rights of human beings. It’s greed, it’s power.”
“Becky Sauerbrunn (49628077113)” by Jamie Smed from Cincinnati, Ohio is licensed under CC BY 2.0.