In April this year, FIFA signed a four-year global partnership with Saudi Arabia\u2019s state-owned firm that will run until 2027 with rights across multiple events including FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup 2027.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The players from 24 countries in a letter said that FIFA\u2019s announcement of Saudi Aramco as its major partner \"has set us so far back\" that it\u2019s 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.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Saudi Arabia has been accused of continuous violations of human rights, particularly regarding gender equality and freedom of expression.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"With the record of Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, we don\u2019t have to look far for examples of the last time FIFA sold its principles and those of football\u2019s fans and players. FIFA\u2019s recent decisions are made by a Council of 37, of which only 8 are women (22%). These are decisions made by men privileged enough not to be threatened by Saudi authorities\u2019 treatment of women, those who are LGBTQ+, migrants, minorities or those whose present and future are most at threat from climate change,\" the letter further read.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They also alleged that Saudi authorities have been spending billions in sports sponsorship to try to distract from the regime\u2019s brutal human rights reputation but its treatment of women speaks for itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We\u2019re standing alongside women like Manahel al-Otaibi and Salma al-Shehab who the Saudi regime has imprisoned simply for peaceful expression of equal rights...The safety of those women, the rights of women, LGBTQ+ rights and the health of the planet need to take a much bigger priority over FIFA making more money,\" said Becky Sauerbrunn, former captain of the US National Women\u2019s Team with 217 caps.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They also alleged that Saudi authorities have been spending billions in sports sponsorship to try to distract from the regime\u2019s brutal human rights reputation but its treatment of women speaks for itself.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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