The co-hosts of Women’s World Cup, Australia and New Zealandthey wrote FIFA seeking immediate clarification following news that Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority will sign a sponsorship deal for the global event.
Football Australia (FA) expects world governing body FIFA to confirm that ‘Visit Saudi’ will join international brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa as title sponsors of the 32-team tournament which starts in July, The Guardian reported.
The FA said it understood FIFA had signed a “destination partnership agreement” for the World Cup and had written to FIFA seeking clarity on the situation. “We are very disappointed that the FA was not consulted on this matter before any decision was made,” the FA said in a statement on Wednesday.
New Zealand Football added in a separate statement: “If these reports prove to be correct we are shocked and disappointed to hear this as New Zealand Football has not been consulted by FIFA on this matter.”
Reports about the sponsorship deal drew a strong response from human rights activists. “It is quite ironic for the Saudi Arabian tourism body to sponsor the biggest women’s sports festival in the world when they consider that as a woman in Saudi Arabia, you cannot have a job without your man’s permission guardian,” said Nikita. White, an activist with Amnesty International Australia. Former Australian international and media pundit Craig Foster said it would be “deeply embarrassing”.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced reforms in recent years that allow women more control over their lives, but men still retain a tight grip on power.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
