The players uniting against the sponsorship have more than 2,300 international caps between them and include England defender Niamh Charles, as well as the captains of Canada and Italy’s national teams.

They have been supported in their campaign by the organisation Athletes of the World, external, which brings together sportspeople to advocate on issues such as climate change and poverty.

Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen was one of the architects of the letter, external which describes the sponsorship as “worse than an own goal” adding that women’s football “deserves better” from its governing body.

“We would like Fifa to replace Saudi Aramco with other sponsors whose values align more with with gender equality, human rights and a safe planet for everyone,” Pedersen added.

“Then we also suggest that they create a committee with player representation who can be part of deciding which sponsors should be chosen [in the future].”

Both Pedersen and Miedema agree that different sponsors should be sought even if it means the deals are less lucrative for women’s football.

Miedema says that if Aramco remains as a sponsor for the 2027 Women’s World Cup it could lead to further action from players.

“I think you’ve seen over the past couple of years that women’s teams are not scared to stand up for what they believe in.

“You’ve seen boycotts from numerous teams, obviously recently, like with the America team, with the Canadian team, everyone is very open and willing to share their opinions.

“That shows you that going forward, there will be a lot of attention and there will definitely be things happening around the World Cup.”

A number of NBA first-timers are set to vie for the Rookie of the Year award.

Going back to the 2024 NBA Draft, one surprise was two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey, who snuck into the top 10, going ninth to the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Prior to the draft, Edey was +2000 to be the No. 9 pick. 

But now, after making noise in the NBA Summer League and the preseason, Edey is favored to be the top rookie.

Let’s check out the Rookie of the Year odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Oct. 21.

2024-25 NBA Rookie of the Year odds:

Zach Edey, Grizzlies: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Reed Sheppard, Rockets: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Zaccharie Risacher, Hawks: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Matas Buzelis, Bulls: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Stephon Castle, Spurs: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Dalton Knecht, Lakers: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Alexandre Sarr, Wizards: +130 (bet $10 to win $140 total)

Of course, we can’t have a conversation about rookies without discussing Bronny James. 

James struggled in the preseason, scoring a total of eight points in the first five preseason games. 

In those games, he only connected on four of 20 shot attempts, missed all seven of his 3-point attempts, and committed five turnovers.

However, in his final preseason game, James scored 17 points (7-for-17 from the field), and added four rebounds, three steals and a block.

Was that performance enough to boost his odds to win ROY? 

Unfortunately, no, as James sits at +25000, a huge long shot to bring home the hardware.

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Lauren James has withdrawn from the England squad for the October internationals with a calf injury.

The forward, 23, was named in Chelsea’s starting line-up for their Champions League win over Twente on Thursday, but was replaced by Johanna Rytting Kaneryd after the warm-up.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor confirmed before their Women’s Super League (WSL) match with Tottenham that James is expected to miss the next five to six weeks.

The Lionesses face Germany at Wembley on Friday, 25 October, before taking on South Africa at Coventry City’s home on Tuesday, 29 October.

England manager Sarina Wiegman does not plan on calling up a replacement for James, with the squad meeting at St George’s Park on Monday.

Glasgow City go into the international break top of the SWPL after handing unlucky Dundee United the biggest defeat of the season so far.

Extreme weather conditions took their toll on the weekend’s fixtures, with Aberdeen v Motherwell called off and the remaining matches played in stormy conditions.

City moved a point clear of Hearts at the top of the table after racking up 13 without reply against United at Foundation Park, as the bottom side saw their chances of a result end with the dismissal of goalkeeper Beth Rennie inside just two minutes for handling outside the area.

Lisa Evans converted the resultant free kick, before an Emily Whelan hat-trick, braces from Nicole Koslova and Brenna Lovera, and strikes from Natalia Wrobe, Aleigh Gambobe, Sofia Maata, Lisa Forrest and a first goal for the club for Katie Lockwood wrapped up the win.

Hearts had to wait until the 75th minute to breach Montrose’s defences, with Emma Brownlie cross to the back post finding Bayley Hutchison to head home the opener

Within two minutes Hutchison had doubled Hearts’ lead, turning home Sade Adamolekun’s low cross. Adamolekun set up the third with two minutes remaining, putting substitute Monica Forsyth to slot past Montrose goalkeeper Kirsten Pratt.

Edinburgh rivals Hibernian came within seconds of a win over Rangers, before Jo Potter’s side snatched a last-gasp draw in farcical weather conditions at Meadowbank.

Eilidh Adams had put the hosts ahead with her third penalty of the season, but missed from the spot late on as the wind continued to move the ball.

The visitors found a renewed spirit from the save, and pressed Hibs back up the field, winning a free kick in stoppage time. Katie Wilkinson’s effort was saved by Erin Clachers, but Rio Hardy nipped in to blast home the rebound and grab the equaliser.

For each game he broadcasts during the 2024 NFL season all the way through Super Bowl LIX, FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady is choosing one standout star as his LFG Player of the Game.

After another all-around team win from the now 6-0 Kansas City Chiefs, Brady chose one of the more overlooked members of the defending Super Bowl champions as his LFG Player of the Game: Chiefs offensive lineman — and Brady’s former New England Patriots teammate — Joe Thuney.

Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: Chiefs OL Joe Thuney | Week 7 DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE

Thuney and his fellow linemen came up huge in Kansas City’s run game on a day when quarterback Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst statistical passing performances of his career. The Chiefs had 184 rushing yards, averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored all four of their touchdowns on the ground in their 28-18 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

“As an offensive line, we always take pride in trying to run the ball, especially when the defense knows we’re going to run the ball,” Thuney told Brady. “In those situations, it takes all 11 guys — tight ends blocking, wide receivers blocking, running backs running hard, Pat making great calls — so it’s a total team effort. And [we] just couldn’t be happier.”

The Chiefs remain undefeated despite losing several key offensive weapons around Mahomes and Travis Kelce, including starting running back Isiah Pacheco, No. 1 wide receiver Rashee Rice and — early in Sunday’s game — veteran wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

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“It’s really a next-man-up mentality,” Thuney said. “During the week, everyone’s practicing so hard [and] getting the playbook regardless [of whether] they’re starting or not. It’s football, it’s tough. Injuries happen. But it’s just a great team to be a part of. Everyone’s contributing to the win and really proud.”

Still, few quarterbacks in the NFL (especially now that Brady is retired) are as consistently clutch as Mahomes. That confidence in Mahomes — even on a day when he has a 59.3% completion rate, 154 pass yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions — pays dividends. Such as when he has a career-best 33-yard scramble that sets up a crucial fourth-down touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

“He’s just making plays left and right,” Thuney said. “Everyone has so much trust and faith in him, and he’s always coming through. And we all just try and do our part to make this offense succeed, and you’re just gonna be more proud.”

Thuney said he considers himself lucky to have played with both Brady and Mahomes — even while sidestepping Brady’s question over which quarterback buys him better Christmas gifts.

“You guys are 10 out of 10,” Thuney said. “Both you guys are unbelievable.”

The inaugural honor went to Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons in Week 1, followed by star New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara in Week 2, Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry in Week 3, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield in Week 4, Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray in Week 5 and Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell in Week 6.

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