Over 100 professional female footballers have signed a letter recommending that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) cut its worldwide sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco.
The players are accusing Saudi Arabian authorities of significant human rights violations. FIFA have only recently signed the deal with Aramco, which is set to sponsor major tournaments like the Men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
People have also accused Saudi Arabia of sports washing, claiming the country uses its investment from sponsorship to cover up its poor human rights record.
The controversy with Saudi Arabia comes on the back of several people speaking out against the country’s human rights laws. Earlier this year Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced to 11 years in prison for using social media to call for the abolishment of rules dictating that women need the permission of a male relative to marry and travel.
In the published letter the players urged FIFA to cut its partnership, also acknowledging that female footballers of the future deserve better from the sport’s governing body.
“Saudi authorities have been spending billions in sports sponsorship to try to distract from the regime’s brutal human rights reputation, but its treatment of women speaks for itself,” the letter said.
“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.”
FIFA was also heavily criticised last year when they had planned to make tourist authority, Visit Saudi, a leading sponsor of the 2023 World Cup in Australia leading up to the tournament last year.
Matilda’s players Aivi Luik, Alex Chidliac and other Australian domestic players Ariella Cabezas, Isobel Dalton, Winonah Heatley, Emma Ilijoski were among the 108 players to sign the letter.
Photo: Clare Polkinghorne and Aivi Luik by Chris Simpson is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.