Fifa admits defeat over plans for Saudi sponsorship of Women’s World Cup

16.03.2023 - 16:39 theguardian.com

Fifa has admitted defeat over plans to make Visit Saudi a key sponsor of this year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand after a huge backlash from organisers and players.

Speaking at the Fifa congress in Kigali, Rwanda, Gianni Infantino confirmed for the first time that talks had taken place with Saudi Arabia’s tourism arm but said no contract had been signed. “I can clarify that there were discussions with Visit Saudi,” the Fifa president told reporters. “At the end this discussion didn’t lead into a contract.

How do you say it? It was a storm in a water glass. A storm in a teacup.” Despite Infantino’s attempts to make light of the situation, the news was a significant victory for organisers who were left blindsided in January by reports suggesting a deal was close, given the Saudi state’s appalling human rights record, and had put significant public pressure on Fifa to change course.

Several players had also spoken out, including the Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema, who told Fifa it should be “deeply ashamed” for even considering such a deal.

Football FIFA cup sponsorship Gianni Infantino Vivianne Miedema Netherlands Brazil Usa Australia China New Zealand India Rwanda Saudi Arabia

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