Over 100 professional female footballers have united in a letter urging FIFA to terminate its sponsorship agreement with the state-owned Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco, citing the country’s “brutal human rights violations.
”The four-year partnership, established in April, will see Aramco, which is 98.5% state-owned, sponsor major events, including the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027. Critics argue that Saudi Arabia is engaging in “sportswashing,” attempting to improve its image through investments in sports while obscuring its dismal human rights record.
Recently, the Saudi regime has imposed lengthy prison sentences on several women after secret trials, targeting those who advocated for women’s rights on social media.
In their letter published on Monday, the athletes emphasized that young girls, who will become future players, deserve far better from the sport’s governing body than its “allyship with this nightmare sponsor.
”The signatories stated: “Saudi authorities have been spending billions in sports sponsorship to try to distract from the regime’s brutal human rights reputation, but its treatment of women speaks for itself.
“It is because we stand alongside the citizens of Saudi Arabia whose human rights are violated that we are speaking out. We don’t want to be part of covering up these violations.
“We urge FIFA to reconsider this partnership and replace Saudi Aramco with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights, and the safe future of our planet.
“A corporation that bears glaring responsibility for the climate crisis, owned by a state that criminalizes LGBTQ+ individuals and systematically oppresses women, has no place sponsoring our beautiful game.”
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is facing mounting speculation about his future after a series of poor results, with bookmakers already listing potential replacements.
Among the frontrunners are Andoni Iraola and Thomas Frank, both of whom have impressed with their tactical approaches at Bournemouth and Brentford, respectively.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has also been mentioned as a possible return candidate, given his past success at the club.
Despite the growing rumors, Postecoglou remains focused on his work, stating, “I’m not concerned about the noise; my focus is on improving this team every single day.”
However, Tottenham’s recent struggles in domestic cup competitions have only intensified the discussions surrounding his future.
While some supporters believe Postecoglou deserves more time, others argue that a managerial change is necessary to revive Tottenham’s ambitions.
Club chairman Daniel Levy is reportedly assessing all options, with an insider noting, “Levy is always keeping an eye on potential managerial changes, but he still backs Postecoglou—at least for now.”
With Tottenham currently outside the Champions League qualification spots, the pressure continues to mount, and a string of poor results could force the club’s hand.
A former Spurs player weighed in on the situation, saying, “This is a crucial period for the club. The next few matches will determine whether Postecoglou stays or if a new face steps in to take charge.”
As uncertainty looms, Tottenham fans will be eagerly watching how the club navigates this delicate situation.
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