Women footballers urge FIFA to end its partnership with Saudi Aramco

A collective of more than 100 professional female football players issued an open letter to FIFA on Monday, calling for the termination of its partnership with the oil and gas giant Saudi Aramco.

In April, FIFA entered into a four-year agreement that designates Aramco as a global partner, which includes participation in significant events such as the 2026 World Cup and the Women's World Cup the following year.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments in various sports, including soccer, Formula 1, and golf. Critics, including advocates for women's rights and members of the LGBTQ community, have accused the nation of utilizing its Public Investment Fund (PIF) to "sportswash" its human rights record.

The Saudi government refutes allegations of human rights violations, asserting that it safeguards national security through its legal framework.

Among the players who endorsed the letter are Manchester City forward Vivianne Miedema, Canada’s captain Jessie Fleming, and former United States captain Becky Sauerbrunn.

In their letter, the players urged FIFA to reassess this partnership and seek alternative sponsors whose values are in harmony with gender equality, human rights, and the sustainable future of the planet. They also suggested the establishment of a review committee with player representation to assess the ethical considerations of future sponsorship agreements.

FIFA highlighted the significance of sponsorship revenue in enhancing investment in women's football.

"FIFA values its partnership with Aramco and its numerous other commercial and rights partners," stated a FIFA spokesperson. "FIFA is an inclusive organization, with many commercial partners also supporting various entities in football and other sports.

The sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvested into the game at all levels, and investment in women's football continues to grow, particularly for the historic FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup and its innovative new distribution model."

An Aramco representative indicated that a response to the letter would be provided at the earliest opportunity.