Australian government backs Fifa’s decision to deny Saudi Arabian sponsorship of Women’s World Cup

The federal sports minister, Anika Wells, has backed Fifa’s decision not to make Saudi Arabia’s tourism board a major sponsor of the women’s World Cup in Australia, saying she was “thrilled” that focus wouldn’t be detracted from the event itself.

Human rights and football organisations praised the move to not progress the sponsorship, after concerns were raised about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, and oppression of women and LGBTQ+ people.

“I’m thrilled because it allows us to concentrate on the opportunity and the possibilities of the women’s World Cup,” Wells said.

“I don’t think many Australians get how big the event is about to be on our shores. It’s the biggest sporting event on the globe after the summer Olympics and the men’s World Cup.”

The Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, confirmed overnight that Visit Saudi, the Middle Eastern country’s tourism arm, would not be sponsoring the women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July. Numerous players, sporting associations and human rights organisations had voiced outrage at the proposal.

Wells said she and her counterpart minister in New Zealand had been working with football and human rights organisations about the Saudi sponsorship. Football Australia had previously said the potential sponsorship “does not align with our collective vision for the tournament”.

Infantino called the issue “a storm in a teacup”, saying he would not have had an issue with the sponsorship and accusing Australia of a “double standard” in maintaining trade with Saudi Arabia but opposing its sponsorship.

Wells rebuffed that suggestion, pointing to her visit to the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year as an example of the government’s engagement.

“A Visit Saudi sponsorship for an