FIFA, Formula 1, ICC Under Fire For Aramco Sponsorships
A coalition of professional athletes and human rights organizations has sent a joint letter to six major sports governing bodies, warning them that their sponsorship agreements with Saudi oil company Aramco may breach international human rights standards.
The letter, dated September 2025, was sent to FIFA, Formula 1, the International Cricket Council (ICC), Concacaf, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, and ASO, the organizer of the Dakar Rally. The warning is based on a 2023 United Nations communication that states Saudi Aramco's business activities appear to be contrary to the goals, obligations, and commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The six sports organizations have been partners with Aramco since 2023, with the oil company serving as title sponsor of the Aston Martin Formula One team. The sponsorship agreements are reportedly worth millions of dollars and have contributed significantly to the revenue of these organizations.
The immediate impact of this warning is unclear, but it has sparked a heated debate in the sports industry about the ethics of partnering with companies accused of human rights abuses. "We urge these organizations to review their sponsorship agreements and consider the potential reputational risks associated with partnering with Aramco," said a spokesperson for one of the human rights organizations involved.
The background context is that Saudi Arabia has faced criticism over its human rights record, including allegations of torture, arbitrary detention, and suppression of free speech. The Paris Agreement, signed by 196 countries in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
The next steps for these sports organizations are unclear, but they may face pressure from sponsors, fans, and governments to re-evaluate their partnerships with Aramco. The move could also have significant economic implications, potentially affecting the revenue of these organizations and the value of their sponsorship agreements.
*This story is developing. Information compiled from Forbes reporting.*
