“It’s bizzare,” Alex Morgan fires shots at FIFA over potential Saudi sponsorship for Women’s World Cup
Another superstar that has condemned the Saudi 'sportswashing'
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Alex Morgan (image via IMDB))
US Women’s National Team forward Alex Morgan has taken a strong stance against FIFA’s potential partnership with Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, in a press conference this week, ahead of the SheBelieves cup, the star said that the move was ‘bizzare’ in her opinion.
“I think it’s bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women’s World Cup when I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be supported and accepted in that country,” Morgan stated “I just don’t understand it“, she added.
Alex Morgan’s strong stance
Morgan, who has 201 appearances for the USWNT, expressed her disbelief on the Monarchy-run state as reported by The Athletic. Morgan also suggested an alternative for Saudi Arabia to improve its presence in the game, by putting efforts into its newly formed women’s team. The country currently doesn’t have a ranking in the FIFA system. She said that she hopes that FIFA would make the right decision.
The Australian and New Zealand football federations and the U.S. Soccer federation echoed her sentiments in support of human rights and equity. Morgan and others criticized the country for its controversial history of human rights violations, restriction of women’s rights and homosexuality.
There are fears that Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the Women’s World Cup could be another example of sports washing, where a nation uses sports to distract from its legal, ethical or moral issues. Similar criticism arose when Saudi Arabia started the LIV golf league, a rival to the PGA.
Saudi Arabia’s history of human rights violations, including bombing Yemen and mass executing prisoners, raises concerns about their involvement in the Women’s World Cup. Women’s rights face high restrictions and homosexuality is illegal in the country.
Alex Morgan’s ideas not heard by the ‘big players’ as they continue to engage with Saudi investments
Less than a year after joining Paris Saint-Germain, Lionel Messi has become the tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia, sparking outrage among human rights activists who accuse him of “sportswashing.”
Families of political prisoners in Saudi Arabia urged Messi to refuse the offer to become the face of Saudi tourism in a letter organized by human rights advocacy group Grant Liberty.
A group led by Saudi’s sovereign wealth fund purchased Newcastle United last year, marking another football team bought by a Middle Eastern regime. David Beckham signed a $200 million deal to become Qatar’s cultural ambassador, starting in 2021, which will see him promote the country’s tourism and culture.
Cristiano Ronaldo signed a lucrative 200 Million dollar deal in January with Saudi Arabian outfit AL-Nassr, which would automatically make him the face for the country that advocates players moving to Saudi Arabia.
It is evident that many high-profile sports stars are indulging the Saudi Arabian business model in various ways. This could be through playing in the country, signing endorsement deals, or even investing in football clubs. Despite the concerns about its human rights record and the treatment of women in sports amongst other major downsides.
In conclusion, The trend of stars engaging with Saudi Arabia is unlikely to slow down anytime soon, as the country continues to offer lucrative opportunities for both sports stars and sports organizations.
In case you missed:
- “Yella Habibi, that ain’t Ronaldo’s son,” Fans react as Cristiano Ronaldo’s son is spotted wearing treditional Saudi Arabian attire
- Qatar Sports Investment group ready to bid £4.5 billion for Manchester United: Reports
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Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)