Sportswashingis a term used to describe the practice of nations, individuals, groups, corporations, or the government using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. A form ofpropaganda,sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing orsponsoringsporting teams, or participating in a sport.[3]
At theinternational level,it is believed that sportswashing has been used to direct attention away from poorhuman rightsrecords andcorruptionscandals.[4]At the individual and corporate levels, it is believed that sportswashing has been used to cover up vices, crimes, and scandals. Sportswashing is an example ofreputation laundering.
Overview
editInternationally, sportswashing has been described as part of a country'ssoft power.[5][6][7][8]The first usage of the term "sportswashing" may have been applied to Azerbaijan and its hosting of the2015 European Gamesin Baku.[9]
Officials and organizations accused of sportswashing[which?]:in recent years Gulf states have been the most vocal to push back against these claims, often arguing that they simply want to enjoy sporting events in their home countries, or to engage in new investments.[10][11]These accused parties often say that sportingboycottsand event relocation are both unfair to sporting fans and are ineffective in changing government policy. In the case of F1, the league has even argued that "the sport is better able to effect change by visiting these countries and holding them to commitments they have made that are legally binding."[12][unreliable source?][13][14]The2018 FIFA World Cupheld in Russia has been cited as an example to tackle the country's global reputation, which was low due to its foreign policy and the sporting event changed the focus of discussions to the success of the World Cup.[15]
Companies accused of sportswashing includeIneos's sponsorship of professional cycling's Team Sky (now theIneos Grenadiers) in 2019,[16]andArabtec's sponsorship ofManchester City F.C.[17]
A key characteristic of sportswashing is the very costly efforts parties must undertake as it is not just about getting the rights to an event but building the infrastructure to hold these games. For example, leading up to the2022 FIFA World Cupthe host countryQatar,the smallest country to ever host the World Cup, invested around $220 billion into luxury accommodations, expanded transport networks, and stadiums to prepare.[18]In March 2021, human rights organization Grant Liberty said thatSaudi Arabiaalone has spent at least $1.5 billion on its own alleged sportswashing activities.[19][20]
Hosting
editBasketball
edit- The1978 FIBA World Championship,held inthe PhilippinesunderFerdinand Marcos.[21]
- The2013 FIBA Americas Championship,held in Venezuela.[22]
- 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cupheld in China.
- The2021 BAL season,held inRwanda.[22]
- The2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup,held partially inthe Philippinesunder the presidency ofBongbong Marcos,son of Ferdinand Marcos.[23]
- The2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup,held inQatar[24]
- NBAhosting pre-season games inUnited Arab Emiratessince2022.[25]
Combat sports
editBoxing
edit- The 1973light heavyweightboxing match between South AfricanPierre Fourieand AmericanBob Foster,held inRand Stadium,Johannesburg,South Africaduring theapartheidera.[26]
- The 1974undisputedworldheavyweighttitle match betweenGeorge ForemanandMuhammad Ali,known asThe Rumble in the Jungle,held inKinshasa,Zaire(nowDemocratic Republic of the Congo) during the dictatorship ofMobutu Sese Seko.[27]
- The 1975 world heavyweight title trilogy match between Muhammad Ali andJoe Frazier,known asThrilla in Manila,held inQuezon City,Philippines during the dictatorship ofFerdinand Marcos.[27]
- The2015 AIBA World Boxing Championshipsheld inQatar.[28]
- The 2019 world heavyweight title rematch betweenAndy Ruiz Jr.andAnthony Joshua,known asClash on The Dunes,held inDiriyah,Saudi Arabia.[27][29]
Mixed martial arts
editThe following were held in Saudi Arabia in 2024.
- PFL vs. Bellator[30]
- PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants[31][32]
- PFL 10 (2024)[33]
- UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov[34]
Cycling
edit- Vuelta a Venezuelaheld since 1963.[22]
- Vuelta a Cubaheld in 1964–2010.[35]
- Vuelta al Táchiraheld inVenezuelasince 1966.[22]
- Tour of Qatarheld in 2002–2016.[36]
- Tour of Beijingheld in 2011–2014.[36]
- Dubai Tourheld in 2014–2018.[36]
- Abu Dhabi Tourheld in 2015–2018.[36]
- 2016 UCI Road World Championshipsheld inQatar.[28]
- Tour of Guangxiheld since 2017.[36]
- UAE Tourheld since 2019[36]
- Tour Femenino de Venezuelaheld in 2019.[22]
- Tour of Omanheld since 2020.[36]
- The 2025UCI Road World Championshipsscheduled to be held inRwanda.[37]
Cricket
edit- The1996 Cricket World Cupheld inSri Lanka.[38]
- The2003 Cricket World Cupheld inZimbabwe.[39][40]
- The2023 Cricket World Cupheld inIndia.[41][42]
Association football tournaments
edit- The1934 FIFA World Cupheld during the rule ofBenito MussoliniinItaly.[43][44]
- The1964 European Nations' Cupheld inSpainunder the dictatorship ofFrancisco Franco.[45]
- The1978 FIFA World Cupheld inArgentinaundera military dictatorship.[46]
- The1988 AFC Asian Cupheld in Qatar.[28]
- The1995 FIFA World Youth Championshipheld in Qatar.[28]
- The2002 Supercoppa ItalianabetweenJuventusandParmaheld inLibyaunderMuammar Gaddafi.[47]
- The2004 African Cup of Nationsheld in Tunisia underZine El Abidine Ben Ali.[48][49]
- The2007 FIFA Women's World Cupheld in China (initially awarded the2003 bidbut moved to the United States due toSARS).[50]
- The2007 Copa Américaheld inVenezuela.[51]
- The2011 AFC Asian Cupheld in Qatar.[28]
- The2013 Trophée des ChampionsbetweenParis Saint-GermainandBordeauxheld inGabon.[52]
- The2014 FIFA World Cupheld inBrazil.[53]
- The2018 FIFA World Cupheld inRussia.[54]
- TheSupercoppa Italianaheld two controversial football matches inSaudi Arabia:
- The2018 Supercoppa Italianabetween Juventus andAC Milanheld inJeddah,Saudi Arabia.[55]
- The2019 Supercoppa Italianabetween Juventus andS.S. Lazioheld inRiyadh,Saudi Arabia.[35]
- The2019 UEFA Europa League FinalbetweenChelseaandArsenalheld inAzerbaijan[56]
- The2019 FIFA Club World Cupand the2020 FIFA Club World Cupwere both held in Qatar.[28]
- TheSupercopa de Españaheld football matches in Saudi Arabia:
- 2019–2020 Supercopa de Españaheld in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[57][58]
- 2021–2022 Supercopa de Españaheld in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[57][59]
- 2022–2023 Supercopa de Españaand2023–24 Supercopa de Españawere both held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[60][61]
- TheEuro 2020held in 11 countries, including three with poor human rights record:
- Group B, Group E, and quarter-finals held inSaint Petersburg,Russia[62][63]
- Group F and round of 16 held inBudapest,Hungary[64]
- Group A and quarter-finals held inBaku,Azerbaijan[65]
- The2021 Copa Américaheld inBrazil.[66]
- The 2021Diego Maradonatribute match between FC Barcelona andBoca Juniorsdubbed as "Maradona Cup" held in Saudi Arabia.[67]
- The2021 Africa Cup of Nationsheld in Cameroon.[68]
- The2022 Trophée des Championsbetween Paris Saint-Germain andNantes,held inIsrael.[69][70]
- The2022 FIFA World Cupin Qatar.[28][71]
- The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup; Saudi Arabia tried to be the sponsor, but after a series of outrage, it pulled out.[72]
- The2023 AFC Asian Cupheld in Qatar (originally to have been held in China)[73]
- The2023 FIFA Club World Cupheld in Saudi Arabia[74]
- The2025 FIFA Futsal Women's World Cupto be held in the Philippines under the presidency of Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand Marcos.[75]
- The2027 AFC Asian Cupto be held in Saudi Arabia[76]
- The2034 FIFA World Cupto be held in Saudi Arabia[77][78][79]
Esports
edit- The 2019BLAST Pro SeriesFinals held in theKingdom of Bahrain.[80]
- Danish esports organization,RFRSH EntertainmentandRiot Gamesboth signing a deal to develop Saudi Arabia'sNEOMproject and boost esports in the region.[81]Riot ended up scrapping the partnership after facing intense backlash from fans and their employees.[82][83]
- The 2022 and 2023Blast PremierWorld Finals held inAbu Dhabi,United Arab Emirates.[84]
- TheGamers82023 CS:GO tournament held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and theEsports World Cuptournament series that replaced it in 2024.
Golf
edit- PGA Tour Chinaheld since 2014.[85]
- China Tourheld in 2014–2019.[85]
- Saudi Internationalheld since 2019.[86]
- Aramco Team Seriesheld since 2020.[86]
- Aramco Saudi Ladies Internationalheld since 2020.[86]
- LIV Golf Invitational Seriesfunded bySaudi Arabia'sPublic Investment Fund,beginning in 2022.[87][88]
Motorsport
editFormula One
edit- Spanish Grand Prixheld from 1951 to 1975[89]
- Argentine Grand Prixheld from 1953 to 1981[90]
- Portuguese Grand Prixheld from 1958 to 1960[91]
- South African Grand Prixheld from 1960 to 1985[92][93]
- Mexican Grand Prixheld since 1962[94]
- Brazilian Grand Prixheld from 1972 to 1984[95]
- Malaysian Grand Prixheld from 1999 to 2017[94]
- Bahrain Grand Prixheld since 2004[96][2]
- Chinese Grand Prixheld since 2004[94]
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prixheld since 2009[2]
- Russian Grand Prixheld from 2014 to 2021[94]
- 2016 European Grand Prixheld in Baku, Azerbaijan[35]
- Azerbaijan Grand Prixheld since 2017[97][89]
- Turkish Grand Prixheld in 2020 and 2021[94]
- Qatar Grand Prixheld since 2021[94][2]
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prixheld since 2021[94][2]
Formula E
edit- Beijing ePrixheld in 2014–2015.[94]
- Putrajaya ePrixheld in 2014–2015.[94]
- Moscow ePrixheld in 2015.[94]
- Diriyah ePrixheld since 2018.[98]
- Sanya ePrixheld in 2019.[94]
- Jakarta ePrixheld since 2022.[99]
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
edit- Argentine motorcycle Grand Prixheld in 1981–1982.[90]
- South African motorcycle Grand Prixheld in 1983–1985.[92][100]
- Malaysian motorcycle Grand Prixheld since 1991.[94]
- Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prixheld in 1996–1997 and since 2022.[99][101]
- Qatar motorcycle Grand Prixheld since 2004.[102][28]
- Thailand motorcycle Grand Prixheld since 2018.[102]
Rally
edit- TheDakar Rallyheld in Saudi Arabia since2020.[103]
Touring car racing
edit- FIA WTCR Race of Bahrainheld in 2022.[104]
- FIA WTCR Race of Saudi Arabiaheld in 2022.[104]
Olympic Games
edit- The1936 Winter Olympicsheld inGarmisch-Partenkirchen,Nazi Germany.
- The1936 Summer Olympicsheld inBerlin,Nazi Germany.
- The1980 Summer Olympicsheld inMoscow,Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.[105][106]
- The1988 Summer Olympicsheld in military-ledSeoul,South Korea.[107][108]
- The2008 Summer Olympicsheld inBeijing,China.[109]
- The2014 Winter Olympicsheld inSochi,Russia.[110][111]
- The2016 Summer Olympicsheld inRio de Janeiro,Brazil.[112]
- The2022 Winter Olympicsheld in Beijing, China.[109][113][114]
Rugby Union
editRugby Union tours involving South Africa during the Apartheid era:[92]
- The1949,1960,1970,1976New Zealand tours to South Africa
- The1951–1952,1960–1961,1965,1969–1970South African tours to Britain and Ireland
- The1952,1961,1968,1974South Africa tours to France
- The1953,1961,1963,1969Australia tours to South Africa
- The1955,1962,1968,1974,1980British & Irish Lionstours to South Africa
- The1956,1965,1971South Africa tours to Australia
- The1956,1965,1981South Africa tours to New Zealand
- The1958,1964,1967,1971,1975,1980France tours to South Africa
- The1960Scotland tour to South Africa
- The1964Wales tour to South Africa
- The1965,1971Argentina tours to South Africa both with tests against the South African Gazelles
- The1972,1984England tours to South Africa
- The1973Italy tour to South Africa
- The1980South African tour to South America
- The1980,1982and 1984 South American Jaguars tours to South Africa
- The1981Ireland tour to South Africa
- The unofficial1986New Zealand tour to South Africa
Tennis
edit- South Africa Openduring the apartheid period (1948–1994).[26]
- 1972 Federation Cupheld in apartheidSouth Africa.[26]
- 1974 Davis Cupheld in apartheid South Africa.[26]
- Dubai Tennis Championshipsheld since 1993.[115]
- ATP Qatar Openheld since 1993.[28]
- WTA Qatar Openheld since 2001.[28]
- China Openheld since 2004.[116]
- Wuhan Openheld since 2014.[116]
- Diriyah Tennis Cupheld since 2019.[98]
- Next Generation ATP Finals,being held in Saudi Arabia between 2023 and 2027.[117]
- 2024 WTA Finalsin Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia
- 6 Kings Slam,2024 in Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia
Professional wrestling
edit- Collision in Koreaheld inPyongyang,North Koreain 1995.[118]A second event, in a smaller building, was promoted byAntonio Inoki(who promoted the first event as well) over two days in 2014.[119]
- WWE in Saudi Arabiafrom 2014; in particular, Saudi Arabia hosting twoPremium Live Eventseach year (one under the name ofWWE Crown Jewel) since 2018.[120]
Other events
edit- Some ofUFCmatches are held inChina,Russia,and theUnited Arab Emirates.[121]
- ProposedNFLgames in China, including theChina Bowl.[122]
- The1986 Commonwealth Gamesheld inScotland.[123]
- The1991 Pan American Gamesheld inCuba.[35]
- The2006 Asian Gamesheld in Qatar.[28]
- The2014 Men's Ice Hockey World Championshipsheld inBelarus.[124]
- The2015 European Gamesheld in Azerbaijan.[56]
- The2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Gamesheld inTurkmenistan.[35]
- TheWomen's World Chess Championship 2017held inIran.[125]
- The2019 Winter Universiadeheld in Russia.[35]
- The2019 European Gamesheld in Belarus.[126]
- The2019 Military World Gamesheld inChina.[127]
- The2019 Southeast Asian Gamesheld in the Philippines.[128]
- The2021 Summer World University Gamesheld in China after a 2-year delay from its original dates.[50]
- TheWorld Chess Championship 2021held in the United Arab Emirates.[129]
- The2022 Gay Gamesheld inHong Kongafter a year delay from its original dates.[130][131]
- The2022 World Aquatics Championshipsheld inBudapest.[132]
- The2022 Asian Gamesheld in China after a year delay from its original dates.[50]
- The2023 Central American and Caribbean Gamesheld in El Salvador.[133]
- The2024 World Masters of Snookertournament to be held in Saudi Arabia.[134]
- The2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championshipto be held in the Philippines under the presidency of Bongbong Marcos, son of Ferdinand Marcos.[135][136]
- The2030 Asian Gamesscheduled to be held in Qatar.[137]
- The2034 Asian Gamesscheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia.[137]
Corporate sponsorship
editAssociation football
edit- Russian state-owned oil companyGazprom's sponsorship of the GermanBundesligafootball teamSchalke 04,events of theUEFA Champions Leagueand kits. This contract was cancelled due to theRussian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[138][139][140]
- Russian holding company USM Holdings Limited's sponsorship ofEverton.The company is owned byAlisher Usmanov,a pro-Kremlin businessman.[141]
- Russian flag carrierAeroflot's sponsorship ofManchester United.The sponsorship was ended following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[142]
- Qatar Airways' sponsorships of football teams, includingFC Barcelona,A.S. Roma,Boca Juniors,Paris Saint-Germain,andBayern Munich.[143]
- Qatar'sHamad International Airport's sponsorship of Bayern Munich from 2018 to 2023.[144][145][146]
- Bahrain's flag carrierGulf Air's sponsorships ofChelseaandQueens Park Rangers.[92]
- TheAzerbaijantourism authority's sponsorship ofAtlético Madrid.[147]
- Hong Kong-based insurance companyAIA Groupsponsorship of English football clubTottenham Hotspur.AIA Group endorsed theHong Kong national security lawin 2020, which was condemned by several British politicians who demanded the club to drop the sponsorship.[148]
- TheRwandatourism authority's sponsorship ofArsenalandParis Saint-Germain.[22]
- TheSaudi Tourism Authority's sponsorship of the2022 FIFA Club World Cupunder the Visit Saudi branding.
Australian rules football
edit- Brunei'sflag carrierRoyal Brunei Airlines' sponsorship deal withAFL Europein 2014. The sponsorship deal ended the same year after protests from rights groups.[149][150]
Cycling
edit- Shell’s major partnership withBritish Cyclingin 2022.[151]
Golf
edit- The Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund,Public Investment Fundsponsored theLIV Golfin 2021. Human rights organizations criticizedSaudi Arabiafor sportwashing its image through the tournament.Human Rights Watchalso wrote a letter to LIV Golf urging the league to adopt a strategy that would minimize the risk of reputation laundering by the Saudi Arabian government.[152]
Motorsport
edit- Venezuelan state-owned oil companyPDVSA's sponsorship ofFormula OnedriverPastor Maldonado,who raced forWilliams Grand Prix Engineeringin 2011–2013 andLotus F1in 2014–2015. The PDVSA logo was included on both teams' car decals during those periods.[153]
- Citgo,oil company owned by Venezuelan PDVSA sponsorship of numerousNASCARteams such asWood Brothers RacingandRoush Racing.Citgo also sponsored individual drivers such asMilka Dunowho raced in24 Hours of DaytonaandE. J. Visowho raced inIndyCar Series[154][155]
- Chinese state-owned broadcasterCCTV's sponsorship ofJordan Grand PrixFormula One team in 2003.[156]
- Saudi ArabiaState-owned oil companyAramco's sponsorship of theAston Martin F1 Team,as well as Formula One races.[157][158][102]
- Saudi Arabian flag carrierSaudia's sponsorship of Formula One teamsWilliams Grand Prix Engineeringfrom 1977 to 1984 andAston Martinin 2023.[159]
- The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backedNeomsponsorship of theMercedes-EQ Formula E TeamandMcLaren'sFormula EandExtreme Eteams.[160][161]
- The Formula One teamHaas F1 Teamwas sponsored byUralkali,who also sponsors Haas' Russian driverNikita Mazepin.Haas had severed ties with Uralkali and Mazepin due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[162]
Ownership
editAssociation football
editDomestic teams:
- Italian media proprietorSilvio Berlusconi,through hisFininvestholding, ownedSerie AclubA.C. Milanin 1986 and had 98% of the club'sshareuntil 2017. Berlusconi gained popularity in the country using his team's success,strongly supportedby his ownmass mediaincludingMediaset,to improvepublic opinion,[163]which was useful for hispolitical purposes.[164]Berlusconi foundedForza Italia,acentre-rightparty, and in 1994 becamePrime Minister of Italy.During more than two decades of government divided into four periods, he was involved inabuse of office,bribery,corruptionof public personnel, andfalse accountingcases, as well assex scandals,[164]among othercontroversies surrounding Berlusconi.He proposed and approved manyad personamlaws (a type ofclientelism) in favour of his own business, including the Milanese club as theLentini affairin 1995, theDecreto Salva Calcioin 2003,[165][166]which allowed Milan to berelieved its debtof€242 million,[167][168]and the decriminalisation of false accounting during thesecond Berlusconi government,a charge for which his club and local rivalFC Internazionale Milanowere tried and acquitted five years later due that measure;[167][169]obtaining political support from the Milan fanbase, one of the largest in the country.[170]In 2018, after he sold Milan to Chinese businessmanLi Yonghong,Berlusconi, through Fininvest,[clarification needed]ownedAC Monza,a club that then competed in the nationalSerie C,with 100% of the club's shares.[clarification needed]
Foreign ownership:
- Russian politician and businessmanRoman Abramovich's ownership ofChelsea F.C.(2003–2022), which some have reported was done at the request of Russian PresidentVladimir Putin.[171]
- Russian pro-Kremlin businessmanAlisher Usmanovformally ownedpartial shares ofArsenal F.C.[141][172]Umanov never had control of the club's day-to-day operation.[citation needed]
- Abu Dhabimajority ownership ofCity Football Group.In 2015, theAbu Dhabi United Groupannounced consortium with Chinese state-ownedCITIC Groupfor City Football Group, an entity which in turn owns[173]
- Manchester City F.C.(since 2008)
- Melbourne City FC
- Montevideo City Torque
- New York City FC,
- Yokohama F. Marinos(partially),
- Girona FC,
- Shenzhen Peng City F.C.(partially).
- Mumbai City FC(partially).
- Saudi princeAbdullah bin Musaid Al Saudownership ofSheffield United.[174]
- ThepurchaseofNewcastle United F.C.,80% financing provided by Saudi ArabiaPublic Investment Fund;this was "a blatant example of Saudi sportswashing", according toKate AllenofAmnesty InternationalUK.[175]
- Kingdom of Bahrain 20% stake purchase of French football clubParis FC.The purchase was condemned by French-based human rights NGOs.[176]
- Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,ruler ofQatar,purchasingFrenchfootball clubParis Saint-Germain(PSG) in 2011.[177]
- Controversial Indonesian conglomerateBakrie Groupownership of Australian football clubBrisbane Roar FC.In 2019, formed team administrator Joko Driyono was arrested by the Indonesian national police for destroying the evidence of match-fixing scandal.[178]
- Washington Spirit's 2020 cultural exchange withQatar.[179]
Basketball
edit- RussianbusinessmanMikhail Prokhorovownership of NBA teamBrooklyn Nets.Prokhorov was known to be a close ally to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2017, Prokhorov sold the team which was alleged to have been a request from Putin.[180]The team was later bought by Hong Kong businessmanJoe Tsai.Tsai was previously criticized for his praise of China's restrictions on personal freedoms and expressing his support ofHong Kong national security law.[181]
Cricket
edit- Indian fugitive businessmanVijay Mallyaownership of cricket teamRoyal Challengers Bangalorewho competed inIndian Premier League.IndianEnforcement Directorateaccused Mallya ownership of the team to be part of Mallya's money laundering scheme.[182]
- TheSouth Africa national cricket teamheld numerous tours dubbed asSouth African rebel toursaround 1982–1990, defying sporting bodies' sanctions of numerous South African sport teams for participating in international sporting events. The tours have been regarded as part of the apartheid government's sporting propaganda.[183][184]
Cycling
edit- There are numerous reports that2020 Tour de Francewas used by problematic countries and companies to sportswash their tarnished reputation; the following teams have been accused of sportswashing during the event:[16]
Motorsport
edit- Indian fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya's ownership of theForce IndiaFormula Oneteam. Mallya's Force India team were accused by the Indian Enforcement Directorate that it was created for money laundering purposes.[182]
- Kingdom of Bahrainstate-ownedsovereign wealth fund,Mumtalakat Holding Company,partial stake atMcLaren Groupwhich includes its racing division,McLaren Racing,which competes in Formula One,Formula E,Extreme EandIndyCar Series.[185]
Other
edit- TheAl Maktoumfamily's ownership ofGodolphinandEssential Quality.[186]
- The takeover of esports organizationsESLandFACEITby Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.[187]
By individuals
edit- Daniel Kinahan's involvement in boxing as a promoter.[188]
- Brother of VenezuelanPSUVpolitician andBolibourgeoisieJesse Chacón,Arné Chacón ownership of stable in Florida called Gadu Racing Stable Corp and participation of horse racing in United States.[189]
- ChechnyanleaderRamzan Kadyrov’s ownership of the horse Mourilyan which competed in theMelbourne Cup.Australian SenatorBob Browncalled theAustralian governmentto quarantine the prize money out of concerns about money laundering.[190]and having runners in various meetings in the UK especially Royal Ascot
- International Cycling Unionpresenting a certificate of appreciation to Turkmen dictatorGurbanguly Berdimuhamedowfor "in development of sport and consolidation of universal peace and progress".[192]
By nations
edit- Kazakhstanhas joinedUEFAsince 2002 and has also sponsored numerous sporting events in recent years.[193][194]Kazakhstan has been accused of being an authoritarian dictatorship due to its repression on dissidents and censorship of media, and that their UEFA membership association has also been under criticism as Kazakhstan has shared more commons with the authoritarian AFC than with more democratic UEFA due to the majority of Asian nations being authoritarian as contrast to European ones, which has gained headline after Kazakhstan become the first UEFA member after Belarus to send a national team (U-21) to play Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.[195][196][197]Additionally,FC Astana,a football project launched by the autocratic government ofNursultan Nazarbayevto gain foothold in Europe and justify its membership switch, was also seen as sportswashing.[198]
- Myanmarhas been recently allowed to host the2022 AFF Championshipand their clubs allowed to play home games in the2023–24 AFC Cupdespite grave human rights concerns in the aftermath of theMyanmar protestsand massacres by theTatmadawon unarmed protesters.[199][200]Additionally, the AFC is also accused of sportswashing in support for the Tatmadaw, by denying the request of the Australian clubMacarthur FCto play their away match against Burmese opponentShan United F.C.in a neutral ground.[200]
- Israelcompeted at the2024 Summer OlympicsinParisfrom 26 July to 11 August 2024.[201]Prior to the games, Palestinian sports organizations and sports organizations from Arab countries called for sanctions to be imposed against Israel for itswar crimesagainst Palestinians and to prevent its participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics due to theIsrael–Hamas warin theGaza Strip.[202]
- UAE- In November 2021, the Emirates Culture and Tourism Department signed a multiyear partnership deal with the NBA, granting Abu Dhabi rights to host the preseason NBA games.Human rights groups questioned the deal, stating that the NBA was risking being complicit in the UAE’s concerning human rights record. In February 2024, NBA also signed the multiyear global marketing partnership with the Emirates Airlines, making the airline an inaugural title partner of the NBA Cup. Emirates also became the first-ever referee jersey patch partner of the NBA. The league was questioned over the type of countries it was picking for alliance, including the UAE. The deals between the NBA and the UAE were criticized, citing the Emirates’ involvement in the Sudan civil war and its constant arms supply to the Rapid Support Force militia.Human Rights Watch stated that the UAE conducts high-profile sporting and other events in an attempt to portray an image of openness, while practicing zero-tolerance policy.[203][204][205][206]
See also
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