Former US captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Viviane Miedema are among more than 100 women’s soccer players who have signed an open letter protesting FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco.

The letter called the deal, which includes sponsorship of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, “far worse than an own goal,” citing Saudi Arabia’s record on women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as the impact of Aramco’s oil and gas production on climate. change.

Sauerbrunn expressed concern about women imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

“The safety of these women, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights and the health of the planet should be a much higher priority than FIFA making more money,” Sauerbrunn said in comments through the campaign group Athletes of the World.

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

“This letter shows that we as players do not want to advocate and accept this in women’s football. It’s simple: such sponsorship is contrary to FIFA’s own commitments to human rights and the planet,” Miedema said.

FIFA’s deal with Aramco was announced in April as part of even closer ties between Saudi Arabia and world football’s governing body. FIFA is expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup in December. This is the only candidate for the tournament.

“FIFA values ​​its partnership with Aramco and many other commercial and human rights partners. FIFA is an inclusive organization whose many commercial partners also support other organizations in football and other sports,” world football’s governing body said in an emailed statement on Monday, adding that commercial revenues are reinvested into the development of women’s football.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news feed – Associated Press)