Vivianne Miedema, one of the world’s biggest female soccer stars, has joined more than 100 other players in calling on FIFA to end a major sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco.
The Gulf kingdom severely restricts women’s freedom, with same-sex sexual activity illegal for both men and women. LGBTQ people face a high risk of arrest and imprisonment, with the maximum penalty being the death penalty.
FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, announced in April that Aramco had become a “worldwide partner” in a deal that runs through the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Saudi government and its sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), own more than 98% of the oil giant’s shares.
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Open letter from players The letter, addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, is titled “Aramco’s sponsorship is a middle finger to women’s football,” and talks about the Saudi regime’s “brutal human rights reputation,” the criminalization of LGBTQ relations, and the oil company’s “climate The government cited “clear responsibility for the crisis” as the reason. To cancel the transaction.
last year, Two women working at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation I talked to international media Regarding the country’s interest in bidding to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Saudi Arabia had already been selected to host last year’s Men’s World Cup, making them the only contenders for the tournament.
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Manchester City striker Miedema, who has won more than 100 caps for the Dutch national team and is dating former Arsenal teammate Beth Mead, said the Saudi sponsorship “doesn’t fit what FIFA stands for, but… It is not worthy of what we as female soccer players represent.”
talk to bbc sportsshe added. “FIFA always wants the game to be inclusive and we want the game to lead by example. If that’s the case, we want to make sure we work with sponsorships that lead by example. please.”
Miedema is one of at least 14 lesbian and gay athletes who signed the letter. This letter is being coordinated by a group called . “Athletes of the world”. Among the LGBTQ representatives are five Irish players who competed in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup: Diane Caldwell, Sinead Farrelly and Lily Agg. Australian winger Alex Sidiac. and New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Naylor.
The other eight LGBTQ players who are signatories are also fully international: Finnish duo Linda Sellström and Tinja Rikka Korpera. Canadian goalkeeper Erin McLeod. Scotland forward Lisa Evans. New Zealand defender Maykayla Moore. Belgian national forward Ella van Kerkhoven. Germany representative midfielder Paulina Krambiegel. And Spain national team midfielder Maitane Lopez.
Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn, a longtime LGBTQ ally, also signed the letter, saying, “FIFA needs to prioritize women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the health of our planet more than making more money.” “There is,” he said.
She also highlighted the plight of women’s rights activists Manahel al-Otaibi and Salma al-Shehab, who are serving long sentences in Saudi Arabia.
The letter to Infantino mentions their and other imprisoned women’s sentences. He added: “The Saudi authorities are trampling not only the rights of women, but also the freedoms of all other citizens.
“Imagine LGBTQ+ athletes, many of whom are heroes in our sport, expected to be promoted by Saudi Aramco during the 2027 World Cup. and the regime’s state oil company that criminalizes the values they espouse.”
Ahead of the World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, FIFA shelves plans to visit Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s official tourism department will be the main sponsor of the tournament. The disputed contract was rescinded after backlash from the players, including Miedema, and organizers.
In the letter regarding Aramco released on Monday, the signatories pose three questions to FIFA.
“1. How can FIFA justify this sponsorship given the human rights violations committed by the Saudi authorities? 2. How can FIFA justify this sponsorship given Saudi Aramco’s significant responsibility for the climate crisis? Can it be defended? 3. What is FIFA’s response to our proposal to establish a review committee of player representatives?
In a statement to the BBC and other media, FIFA said it “values its partnership with Aramco,” adding that Aramco is a “comprehensive company with many commercial partners that also support other organizations in football and other sports.” organization.”
FIFA added: “The sponsorship income that FIFA generates is reinvested into the game at all levels, and investment in women’s football continues to increase, including with the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and a ground-breaking new distribution model. There is,” he added.
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Source: Outsports – www.outsports.com
