Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stated that he is unconcerned with claims of “sportswashing” against the monarchy and that he will continue to sponsor sport provided it contributes to the country’s GDP.
The charge of “sportswashing” is directed against governments considered to be utilising sport to improve their soiled international image. “If sportswashing increases my GDP by 1%, we’ll keep doing sportswashing,” the crown prince told Fox News.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made huge expenditures in football, golf, Formula One, boxing, and tennis through its Public Wealth Fund, which is overseen by the crown prince, the kingdom’s de facto ruler since 2015.
Critics accuse the kingdom of engaging in “sportswashing” by using its sovereign wealth fund in the midst of widespread criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.
Saudi Arabia dismisses allegations of human rights violations and claims that its laws defend its national security. When directly queried about the term “sports washing,” the crown prince stated:
“I don’t mind. I have a 1% GDP increase from sports and aim for another 1.5%. Whatever you want to call it, we’re going to receive that extra 1.5%.”
PIF owns an 80% ownership in Newcastle United in the Premier League and funded LIV Golf, which recruited high-profile players from the PGA Tour and Europe’s DP World Tour before announcing an agreement to consolidate and establish a single unified commercial business.
It also purchased a majority share in four of the country’s leading football clubs in June, just before the Saudi Pro League’s transfer window closed on September 7.
Since 2021, Saudi Arabia has hosted a Formula One Grand Prix and boxing world title matches. For the first time this year, it will host a professional tennis tournament.
