100+ Women footballers demand FIFA ditch Saudi Aramco deal

FIFA has introduced a new commercial partnership structure that will provide companies worldwide with increased opportunities to partner with soccer.

Over 100 professional women’s football players, including five Australians, have signed an open letter urging FIFA to drop its major sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco, a state-owned oil conglomerate.

In the letter published on Monday, 106 players from 24 countries called on FIFA to reconsider its partnership with Aramco, citing concerns over human rights violations, the oil giant is 98.5% owned by Saudi Arabia.

Among the signatories are Matildas stars Aivi Luik and Alex Chidiac, alongside Australian players Isobel Dalton (Perth Glory), Emma Ilijoski (Canberra United), and Winonah Heatley (Nordsjaelland).

The letter highlights how LGBTQ+ players are being asked to promote a company from a country where same-sex relationships are criminalised and also expresses concerns about the oil giant’s role in contributing to climate change.

FIFA signed a four year worldwide partnership deal with Saudi Aramco back in April, which includes rights across multiple major tournaments, including the World Cup 2026 and the Women’s World Cup 2027. It’s also expected that Saudi Arabia will win the bid for the 2034 Men’s World Cup, signalling no real change in FIFA’s morals.

The letter highlights multiple human rights violations against women, including fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi sentenced to 11 years in prison under ‘anti-terror’ laws for promoting female empowerment on social media, the week after the partnership between FIFA and Aramco was confirmed.

The letter also asks FIFA three important questions:

  1. How can FIFA justify this sponsorship given the human rights violations committed by the Saudi authorities?
  2. How can FIFA defend this sponsorship given Saudi Aramco’s significant responsibility for the climate crisis?
  3. What is FIFA’s response to our proposal of the establishment of a review committee with player representation?

However, FIFA have spoken to ABC Sport about this issue where they mentioned the deal was unlikely to be removed despite these recent events.

“FIFA is an inclusive organisation with many commercial partners also supporting other organisations in football and other sports,” the organisation said in a statement to ABC Sport.

“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. FIFA’s financial figures are also published annually.”

This bold stand by the 106 players represents one of the most significant pushbacks women’s football has seen against a major sponsor. It’s inspiring to witness how outspoken these athletes have been, despite the powerful influence of such a controversial partner.

Women’s football, which has long faced neglect and inadequate playing conditions, has steadily improved as the game has grown, but it’s clear these players are not just content with progress—they’re pushing for greater accountability.

The sponsorship with Aramco, in light of its links to human rights abuses and its environmental impact, feels like a direct affront to the principles these athletes uphold.

Whilst FIFA currently remain quite hesitant to change this fact, there is momentum growing behind this movement and it’s the only way change will be brought to the game.

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Inter Miami CF Welcomes Más+ by Messi as Hydration Partner

Inter Miami CF names Más+ by Messi as its Official Hydration Partner in a new partnership, the alliance ensures hydration for all players, from the Academy to the First Team, while introducing Más+ by Messi to fans at Chase Stadium.

This partnership adds to Lionel Messi’s growing commercial ventures as Inter Miami’s captain and football legend. Founded by Messi, Más+ by Messi provides balanced hydration with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, serving both elite athletes and everyday consumers.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF’s leadership underscored the partnership’s significance, emphasising its advantages for both players and fans. Messi shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration.

“It’s a huge honour and joy that Más+ by Messi is becoming a partner of Inter Miami. When working on this drink, we aimed to provide hydration not only for elite athletes but also for amateurs and anyone looking to stay properly hydrated in their daily lives, while also benefiting from electrolytes and vitamins,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi’s Executive Vice President, Rishi Daing highlighted the vital role of hydration for everyone.

“Players for Inter Miami understand how important hydration is to achieving their goals. Now everyone can benefit from the same hydration, whether they’re on the field, in the stands, or in everyday life. We’re proud to partner with Inter Miami to share the importance of everyday hydration,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi will be seamlessly integrated into Inter Miami’s matchday experience and training facilities:

  • On-Field Presence: Branded coolers and towels will be used during training and matches.
  • Academy Support: The brand will aid youth development, reflecting Messi’s dedication to nurturing young talent.
  • Matchday Access: Fans at Chase Stadium can enjoy all Más+ by Messi flavours, including the city-inspired “Miami Punch.”
  • Retail Expansion: Available at Publix, Inter Miami’s Official Grocery Partner.
  • Stadium Branding: Visible throughout Chase Stadium, including press conferences and fan engagement areas.

This partnership extends beyond standard sponsorship, with Más+ by Messi actively engaging Inter Miami fans through activations and promotions at Chase Stadium. The brand’s presence in the Fan Zone and Northwest Club will further enhance the fan experience.

As Inter Miami CF expands its commercial ventures, this collaboration blends sports performance, business strategy, and the growing impact of Lionel Messi’s personal brand.

Melbourne Victory’s brand-new infrastructure strategy

Melbourne Victory & SEDA

A-League giant Melbourne Victory has revealed a brand-new extensive infrastructure strategy to foster and support tomorrow’s footballing stars.

The strategic infrastructure plan set out by Victory will aim to develop youth and women’s football programs by providing improved access to world class footballing facilities and player pathways across Victoria.

To achieve this, Melbourne Victory has opted for a campus model to enable players access to connected and consistent facilities across the North, East, South and West of Melbourne, all within an hour’s journey of Victory’s club administrative centre and the A-League Men’s training facilities at Gosch’s Paddock.

The club also intends to build another campus within the Melbourne city centre, with the first campus location to be announced by the club soon, as it continues to review and assess possible sites across the city.

Melbourne Victory Chairman, John Dovaston, explained why the club had chosen the campus model.

“The announcement of this project, and the direction taken, is aimed at ensuring we are best placed to attract and retain football talent across the State,” he said in a press release.

“Our innovative approach will allow us to have a number of campuses with not only an elite focus, but also, an eye on building our community to ensure that all Victorians have an opportunity to participate and engage in our game.”

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the new infrastructure strategy was so important to the club.

“It is well understood that sport and football can influence social cohesion, and it’s our responsibility as a Club to establish infrastructure and programs that can positively impact members of the community, regardless of gender, background or location, whether that be through training the next generation of football stars, or using football as a vehicle to lead, unite, connect and inspire the community more broadly,” she said via press release.

“By enabling Victory to connect with communities across the North, South, East, and West of AAMI Park, our spiritual home, we can truly grow the Victory family and set new standards for elite facilities in our Pathway and community programs.”

The infrastructure project is an important move for the club, allowing it to grow, improve and future-proof its current suite of footballing programs. Currently, Victory operates nine elite and 23 pathway programs, providing services to over 16,000 participants across Victoria. Through the campus model, the club hopes it will be able to more efficiently develop the new generation of A-League and national team players.

“The priority is to provide not just an entry point for individuals to engage and participate in football, but to keep them engaged and provide a holistic journey to grow the Victory family across the State,” Carnegie continued.

“We are excited about the opportunities that the project can provide and the potential for growth for our Club and for football in the future.”

Melbourne Victory will continue to issue updates as it sets on the 5-year-plus journey to complete the entire project. For more information on the club’s major infrastructure strategy, access the plan HERE.

 

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