In recent years, Saudi Arabia has been accused of “sportswashing” – investing in sports and using high-profile events to improve its international reputation.
Despite facing criticism for human rights violations, women’s rights abuses, the criminalisation of homosexuality, the restriction of free speech, and its involvement in the war in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has led the takeover of Newcastle United and launched LIV Golf.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has declared that he does not care about accusations of sportswashing, stating that if it is going to increase the country’s GDP by 1%, then they will continue doing it. He has set his sights on achieving another 1.5% growth in GDP from sport.
Although human rights campaigners have claimed that sport is being used as a distraction from the country’s long-standing reputation issues, Saudi authorities reject such accusations and say that investment in sport is a key part of the ‘Vision 2030’ strategy.
The country’s sovereign wealth fund has estimated assets of $620bn (£550bn), and PIF has taken control of four of Saudi Arabia’s top clubs, including Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr, which have secured high-profile signings such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he does not care when he is accused of sportswashing.
Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sports at home and abroad – especially for the past two years – and that has led to accusations that the high-profile strategy is designed to launder the nation’s reputation and deflect attention away from its poor human rights record.
But speaking to Fox News in a rare television interview, Bin Salman said: “If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by one per cent then we’ll continue sportswashing.
“I don’t care. I have one per cent growth in GDP from sport and I am aiming for another 1.5 per cent.
“Call it whatever you want – we are going to get that 1.5 per cent.”
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In addition to hosting the Club World Cup in December, Saudi Arabia is expected to bid to host the World Cup in either 2030 or 2034, despite the controversy surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 tournament.
The launch of the lucrative LIV Golf series in 2022 led to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour agreeing to merge with PIF in June, with Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan appointed chair of the new unified men’s game.
The country’s involvement in sport has not been without criticism, with F1’s decision to hold its inaugural race in Saudi Arabia in 2021 and the holding of world title boxing fights drawing condemnation from human rights groups.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton called on Saudi Arabia to improve its human rights record before the 2022 Grand Prix, stating that he did not feel comfortable racing in the country.
Despite this, Saudi Arabia has held talks with the women’s tour about hosting its end-of-season WTA Finals, and tennis will hold a professional event in Saudi Arabia for the first time this year after a five-year deal was agreed for Jeddah to host the Next Gen ATP Finals.
