Controversial Sportswashing Remarks by Saudi Crown Prince Spark Outrage among Human Rights Advocates

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stirred up social media when he responded bluntly to accusations of “sportswashing” by his government. The term refers to the use of sports to divert attention from a controversial human rights record. In an interview with Fox News, the de-facto Saudi leadersaid ” If sportswashing is going to increase my GDP by 1%, then we will continue doing sportswashing. I don’t care. I have 1% growth in GDP from sport, and I am aiming for another 1.5%. Call it whatever you want.”

Human rights organizations quickly criticized bin Salman’s remarks, claiming that they confirmed the existence of a state policy to conceal human rights violations through extravagant sports investments and events.

“He’s not only expressing his indifference, but he’s also endorsing sportswashing as a means to cover up serious human rights abuses in the country. This statement from the top confirms that it’s an official state policy,” said Minky Worden, Human Rights Watch’s director of global initiatives.

In response, on social media site X, Amnesty International posted, “Huge investments in #sportswashing by #SaudiArabia+MBS won’t cover up grave #HumanRights abuses: killing of hundreds of unarmed migrants, jailing women’s rights advocates+ murder of journalist #JamalKashoggi.”

In 2018, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence findings implicated Mohammed bin Salman in the approval of the murder, but he vehemently denies any involvement, claiming that it was carried out by rogue agents. The group NUFC Fans Against Sportswashing, consisting of fans of the EPL soccer team Newcastle United, questioned bin Salman’s response stating, “If MBS ‘doesn’t care’ about sportswashing accusations, why does he spend a fortune on PR & employ an army of bots & trolls to silence opposition?”

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the PIF, bought Newcastle United for $409 million in 2021. Amnesty International criticized the acquisition as a “PR tool to distract from the country’s abysmal human rights record.”

Andrew Feinstein, activist and author of “The Shadow World: Inside the Global Arms Trade,” voiced his opinion on platform X, stating, “MBS claims not to care about sportswashing. We would expect nothing less … Opposition to Saudi’s extortionately expensive efforts to wash/launder its misogyny homophobia corruption & brutality is clearly angering him.”

CNBC has reached out to the Saudi Foreign Ministry for comment.

When asked about human rights abuses in the kingdom, the crown prince acknowledged the presence of “bad laws” which he does “not like,” but claimed that he cannot interfere with the judiciary. However, Saudi observers and rights activistspromptly dismissed this assertion, arguing that his near absolute power enables him to change laws with a stroke of a pen.

The Saudi kingdom’s massive investments in sports extend far beyond soccer, encompassing boxing, golf, auto racing, and more. In June, the surprise merger between Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf tournament and the American PGA Tour caused a stir in the world of sports, eliciting criticism from commentators, athletes, fans, and even U.S. lawmakers.

These multi-billion dollar sports investments are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to transform its conservative image, attract foreign investment, and diversify its economy away from oil. Under the leadership of 38-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country has undergone significant liberalizing reforms, including allowing women to drive, opening movie theaters, and hosting concerts.

However, critics emphasize the simultaneous crackdown on dissent and the imprisonment of political activists. In August, a 54-year-old Saudi teacher was sentenced to death for his online activities on platforms like Youtube and X (formerly known as Twitter). Several female activists also remain in jail with lengthy sentences for criticizing the kingdom’s laws on social media. Amnesty International reported that Saudi Arabia had the highest number of annual executions in 30 years in 2022, with 196 people killed.