PGA-LIV merger - ‘Saudi Arabia is sportswashing’

That’s according to sportswriter Padraig Reidy, who coined the term sportswashing in 2015 when Azerbaijan hosted Formula One races, Champion League matches and the European Olympic Games, suspectedly to deter criticism on its human rights record.

Mr Reidy said while LIV not owned by the Saudi Arabian state, it is owned by the Saudi Arabian public investment fund, effectively meaning professional golf is going to be privatised under the control of the Saudi Arabian government. TC99EP The golf club in the campus of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

“Is this the way you want to win major trophies, by having an entire state’s purse behind you?” Mr Reidy said.Mr Reidy said Saudi Arabia in particular are interested in buying these teams and organisations to maintain control over their own population.

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