The background to the letter, which was signed by 106 professional footballers on the women’s side, stems from a controversial sponsorship deal that Fifa has recently entered into. In April, it was announced that Fifa and the oil company Saudi Aramco have entered into a sponsorship agreement, in which the company becomes a partner in tournaments such as the men’s football World Cup in 2026 and the women’s World Cup in 2027. The amount is not yet known, but according to the news agency AP it is the largest agreement FIFA has entered into with a sponsor if you calculate the annual value. It has caused several profiles to come out harshly against Fifa and president Gianni Infantino. In the aforementioned letter, they start with the following statement: – The Aramco agreement points the finger at women’s football. Large parts of the letter are a thunder speech from the football profiles. – This sponsorship is much worse than an own goal for football. FIFA might as well pour oil on the pitch and set it on fire. Our job as professional players has been a dream for us and is a dream for the girls who will be the players of the future. We deserve so much better from our governing body than their alliance with this nightmare sponsor, the footballers write. Read Fifa’s response further down in the article. Saudi Aramco has not responded to news’s inquiry. In the letter, the players ask the organization three questions: How can Fifa justify this sponsorship deal, considering the human rights violations committed by the Saudi Arabian authorities? How can Fifa defend this sponsorship agreement in view of Saudi Aramco’s great responsibility in the climate crisis? What is Fifa’s response to our proposal to establish a control committee with a player representative? A number of Norwegian players involved Among the players behind the letter we find a number of Norwegian players in the Toppserien, among others Vålerenga’s Sara Lindbak Hørte and Andrine Tomter, as well as Stabæk players Emilie Bølviken, Martine Leonards and Anja Rasmussen. – I don’t think it puts Fifa in a good light. Then there is something you have to go through, who will sponsor the football. I think they should think it through carefully, says Vålerenga player Hørte to news. – Do you think the appeal can make Fifa turn around? – I don’t know much about that. But I think it’s good that people get involved and try. The more people who help pay attention to it, the greater the effect it can have. But just how big a chance there is of that, I don’t know. CLEAR MESSAGE: Vålerenga and national team profile Sara Lindbak Hørte believes it is important to give the matter attention. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Concerned about queer players International profiles such as Sofie Junge Pettersen (Inter), Becky Sauerbrunn (former USA captain) and Elena Linari (Italy captain and Roma player) have also been behind the contents of the letter. They point out in the letter that most things have improved in women’s football in recent years and that they have a completely different everyday life than the previous generation of female footballers. Nevertheless, the new sponsorship agreement causes great frustration. – Fifa’s announcement of Saudi Aramco as an “important” partner has set us back so much that it is difficult to take it in, says the letter. STANDING BEHIND THE LETTER: Former USA captain Becky Sauerbrunn is among the players who have written a scathing letter to Fifa. Photo: Lindsey Wasson / AP Saudi Arabia has for a long time been accused of gross violations of human rights and perhaps especially women’s rights. It is also illegal to be gay in the country, which the players point out as a big problem. – Imagine LGBTQ+ players, many of whom are heroes of our sport, expected to promote Saudi Aramco during the 2027 World Cup – the national oil company of a regime that criminalizes their conditions and the values they stand for? says the letter. The company in question is majority-owned by the state, where the authorities own 98.5 percent of the company. – Just take off your hat The call from the football profiles is also praised by Amnesty at Frank Conde Tangberg. – Hats off to these footballers, who are united in their desire to protect football from being abused by the authorities in a state that has complete contempt for human rights, says Tangberg. He continues: – Just as when FIFA announced Visit Saudi as a sponsor of the football World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, without this being discussed with the female athletes, it is timely to ask who was consulted before FIFA entered into an agreement with Aramco . TRIBUTES THE PLAYERS: Amnesty and Frank Conde Tangberg praise the 106 players who have written the letter to Fifa. Photo: Tommy Iversen / news Saudi Arabia has also acquired the rights to the men’s football World Cup in 2034 after being the only applicant. This is how Fifa responds In a statement to news, Fifa writes that they “value their cooperation with Aramco and many other commercial and rights partners, including news”. – Fifa is an inclusive organization with many commercial partners who also support other organizations in football and other sports, writes Fifa. The association points out that sponsorship income is reinvested in the game at all levels – and that investment in women’s football continues to increase. – In addition to increased support for the teams in the World Cup last year, Fifa’s updated strategy for women’s football for 2023-2027 highlights how commercial income is reinvested in the development of women’s football. They also add that in May the Fifa Congress approved seven standing committees for women’s football at all levels, including a women’s committee for players. Vålerengas Heard that the petition is yielding results. – I think football can go ahead and show what is right. Football has a big voice to do good things instead of covering up human rights violations, says the Rosenborg player. Published 21.10.2024, at 09.50 Updated 21.10.2024, at 09.53
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