ZURICH (AP) — Former U.S. national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema are among more than 100 women's soccer players who have signed an open letter protesting FIFA's sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco.
The letter calls the deal, which includes sponsorship at the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, "much worse than an own goal," citing Saudi Arabia's record on the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people and the impact of Aramco's oil and gas production on climate change.
Sauerbrunn voiced concern for women who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.
“The safety of those women, the rights of women, LGBTQ+ rights and the health of the planet need to take a much bigger priority over FIFA making more money,” Sauerbrunn said in comments via campaign group Athletes Of The World.
The letter calls on FIFA to replace Aramco “with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights and the safe future of our planet,” and to give players a voice on the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.
“This letter shows that as players this is what we don’t want to stand for and accept within women’s football. It’s simple: this sponsorship is contradicting FIFA’s own commitments to human rights and the planet," Miedema said.
FIFA's deal with Aramco was announced in April as part of ever-closer ties between Saudi Arabia and world soccer's governing body. FIFA is expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 men's World Cup in December. It is the only candidate for the tournament.
“FIFA values its partnership with Aramco and its many others commercial and rights partners. FIFA is an inclusive organisation with many commercial partners also supporting other organizations in football and other sports,” world soccer's governing body said in an emailed statement Monday, adding that commercial revenue is reinvested into developing women's soccer.
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FILE - Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stand for the anthem prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, on June 14, 2018. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk will miss the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his right knee.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said tests Monday confirmed the initial diagnosis that Aiyuk tore his ACL and would need major reconstructive surgery after getting hit on the knee while making a catch in the red zone late in the second quarter of a 28-18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Shanahan said Aiyuk also tore his MCL.
Shanahan said Aiyuk took the news of a significant injury hard when he talked to him at home on Sunday night.
“He was hurting. Just bummed out," Shanahan said. "Exactly how you’d expect. But, BA is a strong dude and a spiritual guy. He believes everything happens for a reason. So, he’ll be all right. But definitely a little down last night. I was just telling him how bad I felt for him and just let him know we’re all here for him through this.”
Aiyuk got hurt late in the first half when was hit on the knee after making a catch in the red zone. He stayed down for a few minutes before being carted to the locker room and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
Aiyuk, who signed a $120 million, four-year extension in late August following a lengthy contract “hold in,” has 25 catches for 374 yards this season. He was a second-team All-Pro last season when he had 1,342 yards receiving.
Aiyuk's absence puts added pressure on first-round rookie Ricky Pearsall, who had three catches in his NFL debut on Sunday that came exactly 50 days after he was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in San Francisco.
San Francisco also could be without its two other top receivers this week. Deebo Samuel was hospitalized with pneumonia Sunday night that forced him to miss most of the game against Kansas City. Shanahan didn't know when Samuel will be able to return to practice.
No. 3 receiver Jauan Jennings missed the last game with a hip injury and his status for this week remains questionable.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle (foot sprain) and backup receiver Chris Conley (ankle sprain) are day to day.
The injury to Aiyuk is the latest to hit a star player for the 49ers, who have been missing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey all season with Achilles tendinitis.
McCaffrey has been working out the past few weeks but is not expected to return to practice this week. Shanahan said McCaffrey has a chance to return after the Niners' bye week before they visit Tampa Bay on Nov. 10.
The Niners have also missed several other key players for significant time, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga.
That has helped contribute to a rough start to the season for the 49ers (3-4), who are fighting to get back to the playoffs after making it to the NFC title game the past three seasons and losing in last season's Super Bowl to Kansas City.
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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, bottom, remains on the field after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) is hit by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, left, and safety Chamarri Conner during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Tests confirm a season-ending knee injury for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) remains on the field after being hit during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)
Tests confirm a season-ending knee injury for 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk
