Andy Murray rejects millions, refusing to play in Saudi Arabia
Amid criticism facing the Saudi regime for whitewashing its human rights violations, tennis star Andy Murray's agent announces his client will not fly to the Kingdom to play in Riyadh.
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World tennis star Andy Murray
World tennis star Andy Murray took a stand against Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses, rejecting millions of dollars to compete in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, his agent said ahead of the Australian Open championship in Melbourne.
Saudi Arabia is funneling billions of dollars into entertainment and events aimed at whitewashing its human rights abuses, from torture reports to murdering journalists to executing opposers.
Murray's agent, Matt Gentry, revealed that the tennis star has turned down offers to play exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia.
"If he feels strongly about something regardless, he's at the stage where he will happily call it out and he will have that debate with people. I don't think he's scared to voice his opinion on it."
Gentry affirmed that his client was not interested in exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia, where "eyewatering sums of money" are paid.
The three-time Grand Slam winner's rejection comes amid criticism aimed at the Spanish Football Federation for organizing its Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Read more: The Washington Post: PGA golfers who play in Saudi Arabia accept blood money
Funneling billions on sports
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Athletic Bilbao are currently taking part in the Cup held in Riyadh.
It is noteworthy that Formula One's World Champion Lewis Hamilton had admitted before he is "not comfortable" racing in Saudi Arabia.
"Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't say I do," British driver Hamilton told a news conference in Jeddah where the penultimate race of the 2021 Formula One season took place on December 5.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) chaired by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is constantly sponsoring sporting events and acquiring sports clubs to whitewash the Saudi regimes' abuses.
According to the Independent, airplanes owned by a PIF company "are said to have been used by the alleged Saudi assassination squad that flew to Istanbul in 2018" to murder Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.
