GENEVA (AP) — Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday urged FIFA not to sign a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority, where “women’s rights remain severely restricted.” .
The leaders of the two national soccer federations warned in a letter to FIFA, including president Gianni Infantino, that unilaterally sealing the sponsorship of “Visit Saudi” could “seriously tarnish the reputation” of the 32-nation tournament that begins in July.
Such a confrontation between a World Cup host and FIFA is unprecedented in recent history, and is likely to draw more attention to so-called “sports laundering” investments by Saudi Arabia..
“We are writing to express our serious disappointment and concern at the news of the apparent appointment of Visit Saudi as sponsor,” Chris Nikou of Australia and Joanna Wood of New Zealand wrote in the letter to FIFA seen by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
“We cannot express strongly enough the potential repercussions and consequences that could result from this decision.
“Australia and New Zealand, both as sovereign nations and football associations, have for decades attached the utmost importance to gender equality and have sought to promote these ideals throughout the world,” the letter said, reminding FIFA. that their governments have invested hundreds of millions in the football event.
Tournament organizers and government officials from both countries were said not to have been consulted, they said.
FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Saudi Arabia has progressed in women’s football over the past three years by creating a national team and a national league, as well as preparing a bid to host the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
In Saudi society, however, women’s freedoms are limited by strict male guardianship laws.
The “Visit Saudi” campaign was among more than 30 sponsors at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.
FIFA did not formally announce that deal which became apparent through on-field announcements when the games began in November.
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