US soccer star Alex Morgan has called out FIFA’s possible sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s tourist authority, saying “morally, it doesn’t make sense”.
Morgan is the highest profile Women’s World Cup player to speak out against the potential Visit Saudi sponsorship in light of Saudi Arabia’s appalling history when it comes to women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights.
“I think it’s bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women’s World Cup, when I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be accepted and supported in that country,” Morgan said.
“I just don’t understand it. I think that what Saudi Arabia can do is put an effort into their women’s team that was only formed a couple of years ago, and doesn’t even have a current ranking within the FIFA ranking system because of how few games they’ve played. That would be my advice to them, and I really hope that FIFA does the right thing.
“I mean, pretty much everyone has spoken out against that, because morally, it just doesn’t make sense.”
In Saudi Arabia, women’s lives continue to be controlled by strict guardianship laws, while LGBTQIA+ people face severe punishments. Human rights groups and football fans have expressed dismay that the Women’s World Cup would be aligned with a country that does not support women to live full and free lives.
The Women’s World Cup is due to be played in Australia and New Zealand mid-year, with demand for tickets already reaching more than half a million. Alex Morgan will be one of the most well-recognised players to compete in the tournament. Along with the US national women’s team, she has won the FIFA World Cup in 2015 and 2019, and has been at the forefront of the fight for pay equity in women’s football.
The US are FIFA’s top ranked women’s team.
FIFA, the international football federation, is yet to confirm or address reports about its possible sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s tourist authority. Growing concerns have prompted Australia and New Zealand’s football bodies to speak out, saying they were unaware of the deal and would like an explanation from FIFA.
Women’s Agenda has previously reported on the launch of an online petition, calling for the reversal of Visit Saudi’s potential sponsorship deal.
The US Soccer Federation has since confirmed it will also voice its concerns to FIFA.
“US Soccer strongly supports human rights and equity for all and believes in the power of our sport to have a positive impact,” it said in a statement.
“While we cannot control how other organisations manage sponsorship selections for the tournaments we compete in, we can voice our concerns and will continue to support our players.”