“Image washing” is how eleven MEPs describe Saudi Arabia's strategy to sponsor the Real Madrid women's team. According to The Times reported a few days ago, the white club is in negotiations with Qiddiya, a Saudi group that would be linked to the women's team and that would report 150 million euros in ten years. This operation has received the resounding rejection of several MEPs, who They have sent a letter to Real Madrid asking that it not accept such an offer, since Saudi Arabia is among the worst in the world in terms of women's rights.
“It is important to alert clubs and make them aware of their responsibility when choosing their sponsors and employees,” said Karen Melchior, Danish MEP and signatory of the petition, which she contacted by phone RTL.
“It is up to the club, the players and the fans to say no,” he continued. “Politicians like me can give their opinion. But we don't have the power to decide. The petition states that Real Madrid, by signing this controversial agreement, would only be “participating in a publicity stunt for the oppression of Saudi women,” the policy concluded.