“Saudi Arabia, a country where women hardly have any rights and were not even allowed to play football until 2018. A country where you are not allowed to be who you are. Where you are not accepted as a homosexual. If it were not such a serious matter, it almost makes you laugh. It is that hypocritical,” writes 26-year-old Miedema.
The upcoming sponsorship deal leaked out at the end of January, but has not yet been officially announced by FIFA. The imminent cooperation is controversial, because women in Saudi Arabia are oppressed. In addition, homosexuality is not accepted and there are even (heavy) penalties.
Miedema is not the first top player to speak out against the sponsorship deal with the Saudi travel agency. American superstar Alex Morgan, who became world champion twice with the United States, called it “bizarre” that FIFA is even considering involving Saudi Arabia in the World Cup.
‘FIFA should be deeply ashamed’
Miedema also finds the thought of the world football association incomprehensible. “FIFA is always busy making campaigns proclaiming that everyone is welcome. And then they think this sponsorship deal is a good idea? The worst thing is that I’m not even surprised anymore. FIFA has of course already much more often show that they go their own way. They should be deeply ashamed. “
Miedema, who incidentally speaks out against a boycott of the World Cup in her column, will not take action this summer. The Arsenal striker sustained a serious knee injury at the end of last year and has to recover for months.
The global final tournament will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. The Orange women are in a group with the US, Portugal and Vietnam.
