Australian and New Zealand football’s governing bodies have said they are “shocked and disappointed” by reports that Fifa is set to announce that Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority will be an official sponsor at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Both organisations have called on Fifa to “urgently clarify” the situation.
New Zealand Football claimed it had not been consulted, nor had next summer’s World Cup co-hosts Australia, and both have joined human rights groups, including Amnesty International, in criticising the potential deal as Fifa seeks to attract brands to specifically support women’s football.
