The open letter, signed by players from 24 nations, criticizes FIFA's partnership with Aramco, labeling it as harmful to the values of women’s football. Athletes argue for sponsorship realignment towards companies that advocate gender equality and human rights.
Women's Footballers Demand FIFA to Terminate Aramco Sponsorship
Women's Footballers Demand FIFA to Terminate Aramco Sponsorship
Over 100 women footballers have united in calling for FIFA to cut ties with Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco, citing ethical concerns over sponsorship.
More than 100 women footballers have come together to express strong opposition against FIFA's sponsorship deal with the Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, which they believe undermines the integrity of women's football. In an open letter, the players describe the partnership as a "punch in the stomach" to the sport, urging FIFA to reconsider its association with the firm that holds sponsorship rights for the men's World Cup in 2026 and the women's World Cup in 2027.
Among the signatories is Vivianne Miedema, a forward for Manchester City. She emphasized the moral obligation of players to advocate for what is right, stating, "This sponsorship is not right for what FIFA stands for, but also what we as women footballers stand for." The letter reflects the sentiments of players from 24 nations who have raised concerns regarding Aramco's human rights record and environmental impact.
Critics label the financial backing from Saudi Arabia as ‘sportswashing’, highlighting the country's tense history surrounding human rights issues, particularly against women and the LGBTQ+ community. Aramco is also cited as the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitter, raising additional concerns regarding environmental ethics.
The coalition of players, accounting for over 2,300 international caps, includes the captains of national teams, and has received support from the advocacy group Athletes of the World. Danish player Sofie Junge Pedersen, one of the letter's architects, called the sponsorship a strategic failure and reiterated that women's football deserves better. "We want FIFA to replace Aramco with sponsors whose values align more with gender equality and human rights," she noted.
Additionally, the call for a players’ committee to help select sponsors suggested a long-term strategy for aligning FIFA's partnerships with the values promoted within women’s sport. Miedema warned that should Aramco remain as a sponsor for the upcoming Women's World Cup, it could lead to greater activism and even boycotts from players.
Despite the growing concerns from athletes, FIFA maintains that their partnership with Aramco is valuable for the future of women's football and insists that the revenues generated are reinvested in the sport. FIFA has pledged to create committees for the women’s game, but its commitment remains under scrutiny as players push for better alignment with ethical sponsors.
As discussions unfold, the prospect of players taking action against FIFA highlights a growing trend of athletes standing firm against associations that contradict their values and the governing bodies' commitments to inclusivity and equality.
