Football Australia (FA) and its stakeholders have reached an “overwhelming consensus” {that a} reported Saudi Arabia sponsorship deal doesn’t align with their imaginative and prescient for the ladies’s World Cup, FA chief government James Johnson mentioned on Monday.
Both FA and New Zealand Football mentioned final month that that they had not been consulted by world soccer governing physique FIFA after studies that Visit Saudi will be a part of worldwide manufacturers reminiscent of Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa as main sponsors.
The 32-team event, which kicks off in July, is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Johnson mentioned FA had consulted on the matter with the federal government and business companions.
“It was an overwhelming consensus that this partnership does not align with our collective vision for the tournament and falls short of our expectations,” Johnson mentioned in an announcement.
“Whilst the partnership has not been confirmed by FIFA, based on the consultations we have had with our community, key stakeholders and our own position, we would not be comfortable with it.
“While we await further clarity and information as to the details of the partnership from FIFA, we continue to convey this clear message on behalf of Football Australia, New Zealand Football, and our community.”
FIFA declined to remark when contacted by Reuters.
Initial studies of the sponsorship deal had been met with stinging criticism from a number of quarters together with former gamers and human rights activists.
Former Australia worldwide and media pundit Craig Foster mentioned the deal could be “disgraceful in the extreme” whereas veteran U.S. ahead Alex Morgan mentioned it ‘morally’ didn’t make sense.
Amnesty International Australia mentioned there was an ‘irony’ in a Saudi tourism physique sponsoring the ladies’s event as Saudi ladies “can’t even have a job without the permission of your male guardian”.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com