Backflip on FIFA's 'disgraceful' World Cup call

1 year ago 61

Following outcry from high-profile players arsenic good arsenic hosts Australia and New Zealand, FIFA looks acceptable to kibosh plans of a large sponsorship of the Women's World Cup by the Saudi tourism body, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Reports emerged successful January of the plans for Visit Saudi to sponsor the event, which would person seen salient branding for the middle-eastern federation plastered crossed venues and different activations.

While Matildas stars haven't publically commented, American prima Alex Morgan labelled the woody "bizarre" and "disappointing".

PAUL GALLEN: How Bennett knocked down 'humiliated' legend

Only successful 2017 was a prohibition connected Saudi women attending shot matches arsenic spectators lifted, and their archetypal nationalist women's league was lone created successful 2020.

Saudi women are inactive bound by a guardianship instrumentality requiring each women to person a antheral guardian who has authorization implicit a scope of decisions, including marriage.

FIFA besides hasn't publically acknowledged the deal.

The SMH reports Football Australia main enforcement James Johnson and seat Chris Nikou some made their feelings wide to FIFA brag Gianni Infantino astatine the caller Asian Football Confederation legislature successful Bahrain.

"Whilst the concern has not been confirmed by FIFA, based connected the consultations we person had with our community, cardinal stakeholders and our ain position, we would not beryllium comfy with [the sponsorship]," Johnson said.

"While we await further clarity and accusation arsenic to the details of the concern from FIFA, we proceed to convey this wide connection connected behalf of Football Australia, New Zealand Football, and our community."

After reports of the sponsorship surfaced, former Socceroo Craig Foster slammed the deal, and said FIFA's determination to judge the Saudi dollars nullified the enactment done by the Australian Human Rights Commission successful preparing a study arsenic portion of the bidding process.

"Acceptance of Saudi sponsorship without acknowledgement of the accompanying quality rights abuses is emblematic of FIFA and planetary athletics close present and disgraceful successful the extreme."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!