Human Rights Group Amnesty International yesterday accused the Saudi Arabian government of 'sportswashing' in relation to their Newcastle United takeover bid.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is trying to buy the club for £340million and Mike Ashley is due back in the UK to mull over what has been described as a 'serious approach'.
The Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, alongside billionaire British brothers David and Simon Reuben, are part of a consortium in talks with the Newcastle owner over a takeover deal which is being brokered by Amanda Staveley.
The reports have caught the attention of Amnesty who have consistently spoken about what they allege is the country's 'appalling record on LGBT rights, women's rights, extra-judicial killings, beheadings, the murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi, and their involvement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen'.
And speaking directly about the potential takeover of the Magpies, the organisation have urged staff and fans to read up on the situation in Saudi Arabia and counter the 'sportswashing' of the Saudi regime.
Clearly, a Saudi takeover would cause controversy, but many are asking what 'sportswashing' actually means?
The Macmillan Dictionary defines it as 'when a corrupt or tyrannical regime uses sport to enhance its reputation'.
It essentially means a deliberate attempt has been made to conceal unpleasant or incriminating facts. In Saudi Arabia's case, their growing presence in the glamorous sports world diverts attention away from the aforementioned alleged human right atrocities.
Saudi Arabia have long been accused of doing it while hosting events like the WWE, Formula E, a high-profile tennis exhibition between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and most recently the unified boxing heavyweight world title fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.
It is an accusation that has been levelled at Azerbaijan as well when they recently hosted the European Games and the Europa League final in its capital city, Baku.
It was also used against Russia when they hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup and will also be levelled at 2022 hosts, Qatar.
While the term long predates recent history, it has been on the rise again in recent years, gaining credence in the Oxford dictionary.
The longer this takeover saga rumbles on, the more familiar you will become with the term.
