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Saudi Arabia’s sports minister says claims of ‘sportswashing’ against the country are “very shallow”, as he defended its right to host the men’s football World Cup.
Speaking to the BBC in Jeddah, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said: “A lot of the people that accuse us of that haven’t been to Saudi, or seen what we are doing.”
Critics say unprecedented spending on sport has been used to improve the oil-producing kingdom’s reputation over its human rights record and its environmental impact.
But the Saudi government insists the investment is boosting the economy, opening it up to tourism and inspiring people to be more active.
In his first interview since it emerged the country was bidding unopposed for the 2034 men’s World Cup, the minister:
- Said Saudi Arabia was “studying the possibility” of hosting the tournament in the summer, despite the kingdom’s extreme heat
- Backed the Fifa process that led to Saudi’s World Cup bid emerging unchallenged, denying “any lack of transparency”
- Defended the Saudi Pro League’s £750m summer transfer spending spree, arguing that “nobody questioned [the Premier League] when they did it”, and that he was “sure next year we’ll have more attendance” after small crowds at some games
- Vowed the controversy over neighbouring Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers before the 2022 World Cup was “not going to be repeated”
- Insisted “everyone is welcome” at the event, despite the concerns of some fans about a country where homosexuality is illegal and women’s rights are restricted.
A suitable host?
Saudi Arabia has invested around £5bn in sports since 2021, when the country’s Crown Prince made it a key part of his strategy to diversify the economy, with a host of major sporting events brought to the kingdom, including high-profile boxing and Formula 1.
The country’s Public Investment Fund has also launched the breakaway LIV golf series, taken control of four Saudi Pro League clubs and purchased Newcastle United.
But campaigners claim this vast state investment into sport is being used to distract from long-standing reputation issues such as Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and the war in Yemen – a process known as ‘sportswashing’.
Speaking in Jeddah, where his country has recently hosted both an America’s Cup regatta and ATP Tennis event for the first time, and is now preparing to host this month’s Fifa Club World Cup, Prince Abdulaziz said accusations of ‘sportswashing’ were “very shallow”.
“Twenty million of our population are below the age of 30, so we need to get them engaged – we are playing our role to develop sports within the world and to be part of the international community” he said.
When asked if his country would be a suitable host of the 2034 World Cup, he added: “We’ve showcased that – we’ve hosted more than 85 global events and we’ve delivered on the highest level. We want to attract the world through sports. Hopefully, by 2034, people will have an extraordinary World Cup.”
While campaigners acknowledge reforms over women’s freedoms in Saudi Arabia in recent years, they also point to a reported rise in the number of executions, the continuing male guardianship system and the imprisonment of activists for online dissent.
Fifa has been urged to secure commitments to improving human rights before formally confirming a Saudi World Cup next year. According to Fifa guidelines, countries bidding to host the event must commit to respect human rights.
“Any country has room for improvement, no-one’s perfect. We acknowledge that and these events help us reform to a better future for everyone” claimed Prince Abdulaziz.
Women in Saudi Arabia were only allowed to enter sports stadia to watch matches in 2018, but since then a professional women’s football league and national women’s team has been created, with more than 70,000 girls now playing regularly.
However, last month Jake Daniels, the UK’s only openly gay active male professional footballer, told the BBC he “wouldn’t feel safe” at the 2034 World Cup.
“Everyone’s welcome in the kingdom” said Prince Adbulaziz. “Like any other nation we have rules and regulations that everyone should abide by and respect. When we come to the UK we respect the rules and regulations, whether we believe in them or not. Through the 85 events that we have had so far, we haven’t had any issues.”
