Saudi Pro League chief Michael Emenalo is caught on a hot mic COMPLAINING about repeated questions over ‘sports-f***ing-washing’ by Swedish documentary crew
- The growing league has been the center of attention following their big summer releases
- Aymeric Laporte the latest Saudi transplant to voice his concerns about the competition
- What the hell is going on in Newcastle?! Uncertainty over Joelinton and Callum Wilson, while Kieran Trippier’s departure will be a slap in the face – It all starts
Saudi Pro League chief Michael Emenalo was caught always being asked about ‘sports f***ing washing’ on a hot microphone after being interviewed by a Swedish documentary team.
The former Chelsea technical director was appointed football director in July 2023 – inaugurating the position – and helped mastermind the European transfer market during last year’s summer window.
In December, Emenalo hinted at more big money moves to grow the league in coming periods as the kingdom looks to establish itself as a football superpower.
But in the seven months since the Saudi Pro League’s daring buying spree, there has been much speculation about whether players are starting to regret their lucrative moves in the wake of small crowds, high playing temperatures and the cultural adjustment to life in Saudi Arabia. families of players.
Those involved in the Saudi football project have also been the subject of accusations of sportswashing, and questions over whether they played a role in helping launder the Gulf state’s questionable human rights record.
Michael Emenalo, football director of the Saudi Pro League, was caught complaining about a hot microphone
After his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded as he left the set
Previously, Emenalo had responded much more camera-ready to questions about criticism of the Kingdom League
It was on this subject that Emenalo became particularly concerned after being interviewed by Swedish broadcaster STV.
“Always about sportswashing, sports-f***ing-washing,” Emenalo said after the interview, in response to a question about whether foreign players regretted their decision to move to the league.
Emenalo said on camera that it is “easy to spread unnecessary rumors.”
“And they’ve heard rumors that the players are sorry about,” he added on the hot mic before pausing.
The former Nigeria international was later overtaken by a member of the production team who came to inform him that he still had his microphone on.
Emenalo asked ‘Did they hear my insults?’, but was told ‘no’ by the employee.
Earlier in the interview, the 58-year-old had given a much more formal answer when asked how he views criticism of the league and its players.
“My job is to come in and help with this wonderfully ambitious project, and to create a very competitive and entertaining competition (for) the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” Emenalo had responded.
“This is the mandate I have and this is my focus.”
Former Manchester City footballer Aymeric Laporte was the latest Saudi recruit to voice a rumbling dissatisfaction with the realities of life in the Kingdom last week when he claimed clubs had ‘not made it easy for their new transplants’.
‘In fact, there are many players who are dissatisfied, but yes, we are working on it every day, negotiating so to speak, and seeing if it improves a little, because this is something new for them too, with European players who already a long career,” Laporte said.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson spent just six months at former club Al-Ettifaq following his blockbuster summer move following rumors of disappointment and speculation that the player and his family had failed to reach a settlement.
The English midfielder signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Ajax last week and will try to save the Dutch club’s Eredivisie position in danger after a difficult start to the season.