The Saudi Tourism Authority may become a sponsor of the Women’s World Cup this year.
Host nations Australia and New Zealand Football Association are now questioning FIFA.
“We are extremely disappointed that we were not consulted on this matter,” Football Federation Australia said in a statement.
There were reports this week that the Saudi tourism agency, Visit Saudi, is stepping in as sponsor for this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Football Association of Australia “Australian Football” commented on the matter.
“We are extremely disappointed that Football Australia was not consulted on this matter before any decisions were made. The Australian Football Association and New Zealand Football Association (NZFA) have notified FIFA to urgently clarify the situation,” the FA wrote in a press release.
In a separate press release, the New Zealand Football Association added:
“If this information is correct, we are shocked and disappointed to hear that New Zealand Football was never consulted by FIFA on this matter.”
“School Example of Laundry Sportswear”
Until 2018, women in Saudi Arabia were not allowed to play sports, be on soccer fields, or obtain a driver’s license.
Since then, there have been reforms in the country, but women still need their male guardian’s permission to marry, get a job, and access contraceptives, Australian ABC News writes.
Human rights activist Nikita White of Amnesty International is furious at the potential sponsor.
The campaign of so-called reforms implemented by Mohammed bin Salman is nothing more than a public relations stunt to try to diversify the economy. The Saudi authorities’ sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup would be a prime example of sports laundering.
Homosexuality and same-sex marriage are still banned in Saudi Arabia.
Visit Saudi is sponsoring the Men’s World Cup this winter, and world champion Lionel Messi is an ambassador for the Tourism Authority.