Global Sports Bodies Face UN Criticism Over Saudi Aramco Sponsorships Amid Human Rights Climate Concerns

Six major global sports organizations, including FIFA, Formula 1, and the International Cricket Council, are facing criticism over their sponsorship agreements with Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil company. A coalition of professional athletes and ten human rights and climate organizations has sent letters accusing these partnerships of potentially breaching international human rights standards and undermining commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change. The coalition demands that these sports bodies justify their relationships with Aramco and clarify whether they have taken or plan to take action to address the United Nations' concerns about Aramco's environmental and human rights impacts. None of the organizations have publicly responded to these requests, despite the growing scrutiny amid intensified global climate challenges and Aramco's expansive sports sponsorship portfolio, which includes major events such as the FIFA World Cups and the Singapore Grand Prix. Critics describe Aramco's involvement in sports as a form of "greenwashing," which contradicts the sustainability pledges made by these sports entities. This controversy is expected to be a significant topic at the upcoming UN climate conference in London.