An open letter signed by over 100 professional women’s footballers on Monday has called on world football governing body, FIFA, to drop its partnership with Saudi Arabian oil and gas company Aramco.
Having signed a four-year deal, FIFA unveiled Aramco as a global partner in April, handing the oil company sponsorship rights for major events like the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
The players urged the world governing body to reconsider its decision, based on humanitarian and environmental grounds, adding that the deal contradicts the values of both FIFA and women’s football.
These players, who represent 24 countries and collectively hold over 2300 international caps, include Canada captain Jessie Fleming, Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema as well as prominent players such as England’s Niamh Charles.
“I think as footballers, and especially as women’s footballers, we carry the responsibility to show the world and the next generation what is right,” Miedema, who is one of the signatories to the letter, stated in an interview.
“I think this sponsorship is not right for what FIFA stands for, but also what we as women footballers stand for.
“FIFA always shouts that they want the game to be inclusive, and they want the game to lead by example. Well, if so, then make sure that you align with sponsorships that are leading by example.”
Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen described the sponsorship as “worse than an own goal”, before adding that women’s football deserves better from FIFA.
“We would like FIFA to replace Saudi Aramco with other sponsors whose values align more with with gender equality, human rights and a safe planet for everyone,” the 32-year-old midfielder said.
“Then we also suggest that they create a committee with player representation who can be part of deciding which sponsors should be chosen [in the future].”
In response to these requests, FIFA asserted its commitment to its partnership with Aramco, emphasising that sponsorship revenues were reinvested into women’s games at all levels.
It said: “Sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvested back into the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increase, including for the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and its groundbreaking new distribution model.
“As well as the increased support for teams at the tournament last year, FIFA’s updated Women’s Football Strategy for 2023-2027 further highlights how commercial revenues are reinvested back into the development of the women’s game.”
The company’s agreement with FIFA is understood to be worth $100 million annually, making Aramco FIFA’s most lucrative commercial partner the energy category,
