What in the World

Why women footballers are taking on an oil company


Listen Later

More than 100 professional women's footballers have signed an open letter urging Fifa to drop the Saudi oil giant Aramco as a sponsor over humanitarian and environmental concerns. It follows Fifa’s announcement - earlier this year - of a partnership with the firm that will run until 2027, giving the company sponsorship rights to the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup the following year.

The words ‘Saudi Arabia’ and ‘football’ are increasingly used in the same sentence, and the country has become a huge player in the game. But it’s not without controversy. The nation has been accused of ‘sportswashing’ - with critics claiming Saudi Arabia is trying to improve its international reputation by investing in sports.

BBC sports correspondent Katie Gornall talks us through why these players are speaking up, and if this petition could change things. We also hear from Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema and Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen about why they chose to sign.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Hayley Clarke
Editor: Rosanna La-Falce

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What in the WorldBy BBC World Service

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

15 ratings


More shows like What in the World

View all
TED Talks Daily by TED

TED Talks Daily

11,140 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,708 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

532 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,810 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,827 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,056 Listeners

Learning English Vocabulary by BBC Radio

Learning English Vocabulary

529 Listeners

Learning English Stories by BBC Radio

Learning English Stories

395 Listeners

The Conversation by BBC World Service

The Conversation

71 Listeners

Learning English Grammar by BBC Radio

Learning English Grammar

324 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

266 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

279 Listeners

Learning English For Work by BBC News

Learning English For Work

52 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

24 Listeners

Learning Easy English by BBC

Learning Easy English

116 Listeners