Football: ARAMCO Sponsorship
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Over 100 women footballers, from 24 countries, have signed an open letter to FIFA, the World Governing Body of Association Football, urging FIFA to cancel a sponsorship deal signed earlier this year with ARAMCO, the State-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Company.
Under its terms, ARAMCO have been granted sponsorship rights to the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
The women claim that the sponsorship is objectionable for humanitarian and environmental reasons.
Saudi Arabia has been criticised for human rights and women’s rights violations and also the criminalisation of homosexuality.
Likewise, it is claimed that ARAMCO is the world’s largest corporate emitter of greenhouse gases.
Saudi Arabia has also been accused of so-called ‘sportswashing’ – investing in sport and high-profile events to improve its international reputation.
ARAMCO already has sponsorship deals with Formula One, the Ladies’ European Golf Tour and the International Cricket Council.
The women are supported by the ‘Athletes of the World’, an organisation which campaigns on such causes as climate change and child poverty.
Sofie Junge Pedersen, a Danish International footballer and one of the instigators of the letter, has remarked:
“We would like FIFA to replace Saudi ARAMCO with other sponsors whose values align more with gender equality, human rights and a safe planet for everyone.”
She has also suggested that FIFA creates a committee, with player representation, to decide on sponsors in the future.
On the other hand, FIFA has stated:
“FIFA values its partnership with ARAMCO and its many other commercial and rights partners ….”
And added that:
“Sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvested back into the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increase ….”
It should also be mentioned that FIFA agreed in May of this year to set up committees for women’s football at all levels.
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
