FIFA deal with Saudi oil company criticised by players

Canadians Jessie Fleming, Erin McLeod, Emma Regan, Samantha Chang and Nyla Peterkin, who also has British citizenship, are among a group of more than 100 professional soccer players who have signed an open letter published Monday challenging FIFA’s trade deal with Saudi Arabia’s largest oil company, Aramco.

The letter said the deal, which includes sponsorship of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, “is even worse than an own goal,” citing Saudi Arabia’s poor record on women’s and LGBTQ+ rights and the impact of Aramco’s business activities on climate change .

“In addition to funding the Saudi regime, Aramco is one of the biggest polluters on the planet. By accepting Aramco’s sponsorship, FIFA is choosing money over women’s safety and the safety of the planet – and that is something we, as players, stand against,” Fleming said in a statement.

Among the other signatories to the letter is former U.S. team captain Becky Sauerbrunn, who has expressed concern about women imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

“The safety of these women, the rights of women, the LGBTQ+ community, and the health of the planet must take precedence over FIFA’s desire to rake in more money,” Sauerbrunn said as part of the Athletes Of The World campaign.

The letter calls on FIFA to replace Aramco “with alternative sponsors whose values ​​align with gender equality, human rights and the future of our planet” and to give female players a say in potential sponsorship deals.

FIFA’s deal with Aramco was announced in April and is part of Saudi Arabia’s push to forge closer ties with the world’s soccer governing body. FIFA is expected to confirm Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 Men’s World Cup in December. It is the only bidder in the running for the tournament.

“FIFA is grateful for its partnership with Aramco and its many other commercial partners. FIFA is an inclusive organisation with many commercial partners who also support other organisations involved in soccer and other sports,” the organisation said in an emailed statement on Monday, adding that commercial revenues are reinvested into the development of women’s soccer.