The announcement prompted Rood, Middag and Denmark international Sofie Junge Pedersen to spearhead a movement that resulted in an open letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The letter, published in October, criticized FIFA's partnership with Aramco, deeming it a 'middle finger to women's football.' This reflects growing concerns about aligning with sponsors accused of severe human rights violations, particularly concerning women's rights and LGBTQ+ issues, which underlines the ongoing struggle for equitable representation in sports.
Both players expressed feelings of frustration and devastation over the partnership with Aramco. Rood highlighted that such a quick turnaround after FIFA previously dropped a partnership due to backlash illustrates a concerning trend in football's sponsorship choices. Middag detailed how this deal not only threatens women's football, but sends a damaging message about financial interests overriding ethical considerations in sports. The players’ reactions underscore the dilemmas faced in the sports community as it grapples with corporate responsibility and moral accountability.
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