New Zealand Football say they would be “shocked and disappointed” if media reports are correct in claiming Visit Saudi will be announced as an official sponsor of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In a statement, New Zealand’s national body said:
“New Zealand Football have been made aware of media reports suggesting that Visit Saudi, the official Saudi Arabia tourism authority, are set to be announced as an official sponsor of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the largest women’s sporting event in the world.
“If these reports prove correct, we are shocked and disappointed to hear this as New Zealand Football haven’t been consulted by FIFA at all on this matter.
“As FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 co-hosts, New Zealand Football and Football Australia have jointly written to FIFA to urgently clarify the situation.”
Amnesty International NZ spokesperson Margaret Taylor told Newshub:
“Frankly, we see it as a FIFA own goal.
“This event is meant to be a celebration of women’s and girls sports, but actually, there’s nothing to be celebrated about how it treats women and girls.”
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