Systematic violations of human and women’s rights, criminalization of LGBTQIA+ people, accelerator of the climate crisis. Yet FIFA has no problem making agreements with Saudi Arabia, but the female footballers aren’t up for it
More than 100 professional footballers from 24 nations they wrote one open letter to FIFAaddressing the president Gianni Infantino directly, to ask for the termination of sponsorship agreements with Saudi AramcoSaudi Arabia’s state oil company.
The players, united in an unprecedented collective action, accuse the Saudi government of systematic violations of human rights, repression of women’s rights and criminalization of the community LGBTQIA+.
The deal with Aramco, signed in April 2024, is one of largest sponsorship deals for FIFAvalid until 2027 and also includes support for the Women’s World Cup scheduled for Brazil. However, the initiative was seen as a move of “sportswashing”.
This term, similar to greenwashing, refers to the use of sporting events for improve the reputation of controversial regimes. The issue was further exacerbated by the precedent of 2023, when FIFA announced a sponsorship with Visit Saudi for the Women’s World Cup, sparking similar controversy.
FIFA did not officially respond to the letter
In the letter, the female footballers highlight how Saudi Arabia uses sports patronage to divert attention from its negative human rights reputationmentioning in particular the restrictions against women and the criminalization of LGBTQIA+ people.
The signatories also criticize Aramco’s role in the global climate crisisdefining it as incompatible with the values of sport. Among the protagonists of the initiative, figures such as the Canadian Jessie Fleming and the Italian stand out Elena Linari. The latter, already known for its commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights, represents a symbol of inclusiveness in women’s football and reiterated the need to act against inequalities.
Although time has passed and the protest has now gone viral, FIFA limited itself to declaring that the revenues deriving from commercial agreements are reinvested in women’s football, contributing to its growth. However, such indignation has opened a broader debate on the need to balance ethical principles and economic interests in sport.
This stance marks a significant step for the athletes, who prove themselves once again pioneer in addressing issues of social and environmental justicechallenging a system that often prioritizes profits over fundamental values.
