October 21, (THEWILL) – Over 100 professional women’s football players have issued an open letter to FIFA, calling for the termination of its partnership with Saudi Aramco. The letter, signed by high-profile athletes including Manchester City’s Vivianne Miedema and Canada’s Jessie Fleming, urges FIFA to reconsider its four-year deal with the oil and gas conglomerate.
The partnership, announced in April, establishes Saudi Aramco as a worldwide partner for major tournaments, including the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Critics have accused Saudi Arabia of using sports investments to improve its international image, particularly concerning human rights issues. The kingdom has consistently denied these allegations, stating that its laws are designed to protect national security.
In response to the players’ concerns, FIFA emphasised the importance of sponsorship revenues for investing in women’s football. A FIFA spokesperson stated: “FIFA values its partnership with Aramco and its many other commercial and rights partners. Sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvested back into the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increase.”
The open letter not only calls for the replacement of Saudi Aramco with sponsors whose values align with gender equality and human rights but also proposes the establishment of a review committee. This committee, which would include player representation, would evaluate the ethical implications of future sponsorship agreements.
The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, as both FIFA and the protesting players stand firm in their respective positions.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
