The world soccer governing body is under fire for agreeing to an enormous sponsorship deal that is in direct opposition to its and others’ climate action goals
FIFA inked a four-year contract with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil and gas giant, in violation of its pledge to only work with companies aligned with the Paris Agreement, Play the Game reported. This sets up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host an upcoming men’s World Cup.
The deal is worth $100 million annually, a drop in the bucket for Aramco, which raked in $121 billion in profits last year alone, its second-best year on record.
Well over 100 professional female players from 24 countries sent a letter to FIFA to demand an end to the partnership.
“FIFA might as well pour oil on the pitch and set it alight,” it states.
Since 1965, Aramco has accounted for 4% of global planet-warming pollution, Play the Game reported. Only China and the former Soviet Union have done more to trap heat in the atmosphere.