Women soccer players' opposition to Saudi sponsorship demonstrates the power and responsibility of speaking up

Since women started playing organized sport, and through the different iterations of many leagues, women have not only fought for their right to play, they have fought to be paid fairly, to not be abused, and for their identities to be respected.

Women often rally and advocate for themselves at a very young age. Whether it's a girls team getting so little ice time they have to shutter their hockey program, or whether former athletes from different sports speak up about abuse, or continued incidents of sheer disrespect from media, there are so many ways in which women organize and mobilize to push back against unjust policies and practices.

Who can forget the absolute debacle that occurred on the biggest stage of women's soccer when Spain's Jenni Hermoso was assaulted by now-disgraced Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales? Players wore wristbands saying "Contigo Jenni" in a show of solidarity. It was a moment to unequivocally support Hermoso and the players. 

The most recent example of athletes pushing for change is a letter addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino sent by 130 women's players objecting to Saudi Aramco's sponsorship of women's soccer. Saudi Aramco is an oil and gas conglomerate that is 98.5 per cent owned by Saudi Arabia. The partnership with FIFA is a lucrative one that includes high-level sponsorship of the men's 2026 and women's 2027 World Cup tournaments. 

The letter asks FIFA to justify this decision, defend its position on human rights abuses and also respond to the suggestion of the letter to create a committee (with player representation) to approve future sponsorship deals. 

Among the signatories are Canadian women's team captain Jessie Fleming and Halifax Tides goalkeeper Erin McLeod. McLeod is openly gay and has been an outstanding advocate for the LGBTIQ2S+ community. 

The letter is titled "Aramco sponsorship is a middle finger to women's soccer". It highlights Saudi Arabia's violations of human rights, considerable restrictions to women's rights as well as oppression of LGBTIQ2S+ communities. Saudi Arabia criminalizes same-sex sexual activity and does not allow for gender expression of trans people. To say this is diametrically opposed to women's soccer is an understatement. 

In addition to questioning FIFA's position on inclusion and equity, the letter also addressed urgent environmental concerns. Saudi Aramco is the largest producer of oil in the world and is the highest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world.  

"This sponsorship is much worse than an own goal for [soccer]: FIFA might as well pour oil on the pitch and set it alight," the letter said. 

WATCH: Women soccer players slam FIFA deal:

Women's soccer players slam FIFA's partnership with Saudi Aramco

1 month ago

Duration 4:17

More than a hundred international women's soccer players are calling on FIFA to reconsider its sponsorship by Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco, which is majority state-owned, over human rights and environmental concerns in an open letter to FIFA's president.

I spoke with McLeod in an exclusive interview and when I asked her about co-signing the letter she told me she is not afraid to speak up. 

"I think it's about holding these organizations like FIFA, holding them accountable. Inclusivity is not conditional," she said. "So, in this case, we're going to let it slide because then it gives permission to these other federations to do the same? Inclusivity has to be the number one or else it never happens."

It is absolutely necessary, and undoubtedly exhausting, for women to continue to be the moral compass of the sports world; having to not only focus on your sport but educate and galvanize support from fans and the wider sports community. 

I couldn't help but notice that among the 130 signatories only two of them were from African or Asian countries: Khalida Popal (Afghanistan) and Ayisat Yusuf (Nigeria). At present there are no signatories from South American countries. Perhaps that will change and the letter will gain momentum globally. 

I doubt that players from other leagues around the world would not care about women's rights, safety of queer communities, and the climate crisis. Perhaps it was a time issue. This doesn't delegitimize anything from the letter but for me, it does raise questions about inclusion on a global level. 

There are also moments when what is being advocated for is challenged. 

WATCH: Erin McLeod on signing with Tides and her involvement with Aramco letter:

At 41, Erin McLeod talks about finding the motivation to keep playing professional soccer

29 days ago

Duration 0:57

New Halifax Tides goalkeeper Erin McLeod explains how getting the opportunity to play professional soccer in Canada has reinvigorated her love of the game.

A clear critique came from former Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl, who argued she didn't sign it because there is no mention of the war in Gaza. She posted a whole thread about her experience and the collective silence around the war.

"I was asked to sign this. I said I think we should start with opposing the genocide, then I am happy to join in other fights (which are also important). So far no joint initiatives from the football world against the genocide. Why?" Lindahl posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Lindahl's tweet gave me pause. I can't help wondering why women's rights in Gaza don't matter, or the safety of gay communities there don't matter. The utter destruction of every sports facility and any infrastructure means that women will have no opportunity to play at all for a very long time. The Palestine women's team can only hope to play matches abroad. Does that not warrant a word from any women's groups or collectives in the world of sport? 

There is no denying that the environmental consequences in that region are catastrophic. But as Lindahl said, there are no joint initiatives. I can't help but think about why certain issues take precedence. Perhaps that is a time and education piece. 

There is no doubt that FIFA's connection deserves to be challenged and it is no surprise that women are leading the way. 

"In taking Aramco's sponsorship, FIFA is choosing money over women's safety and the safety of the planet and that's something we as players are standing against, together," the letter states.

I am unsurprised by the bravery and boldness of the letter to FIFA. I don't see it stopping anytime soon. I hope that women athletes continue to light the world with compassion otherwise sports might exist in an even more sinister and dark place.