Irish Examiner view: Saudi overtures need explaining

Republic of Ireland's Ruesha Littlejohn with head coach Vera Pauw.

There are some announcements that are so incongruous and unlikely that the only appropriate response is: “You’re having a laugh, surely?”

Into that category must be placed the suggestion that Saudi Arabia is to become a major sponsor of football’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer, a tournament that Ireland will open at Stadium Australia in Sydney against the Matildas. Such is the interest in the match that it has been moved to a venue with a capacity of 82,500.