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Amnesty International urges Cristiano Ronaldo to use his platform to denounce Saudi Arabia’s “plenty of human rights problems” after signing a £175m a year deal with Al-Nassr as they warn him not to “become into a tool of your sports car wash”. ‘
- Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced as an Al-Nassr player with much fanfare this week
- Amnesty International has urged Ronaldo to highlight human rights issues
- They called on him to use his platform to discuss Saudi Arabia’s poor record.
- At his inauguration, Ronaldo said that he would use his position to develop the country.
Amnesty International has urged Cristiano Ronaldo to speak out on human rights issues in Saudi Arabia following his landmark move to Al-Nassr.
The 37-year-old joined the Saudi club last month. after his bitter departure from Manchester United and He will reportedly earn £175 million a year.
And the human rights group encouraged Ronaldo to use his position to highlight important issues and denounce Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record.
Amnesty International urged Cristiano Ronaldo to discuss human rights issues in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sportswashing after several high-profile sporting events were held in the country, including heavyweight boxing matches, a Formula One Grand Prix, while funding the controversial LIV Golf Breakaway League.
Newcastle United is also owned by a Saudi-backed group.
And Amnesty International argued that the signing of Ronaldo fit into this broader pattern of sporting laundering in the kingdom.
In a statement, Amnesty International’s Middle East Researcher Dana Ahmed said: “It is highly likely that the Saudi authorities will promote Ronaldo’s presence in the country as a way of distracting from the country’s appalling human rights record.” .
“Rather than offer uncritical praise to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo should use his sizeable public platform to draw attention to human rights issues in the country.
Ronaldo was introduced as an Al-Nassr player this week and the human rights group encouraged the 37-year-old to use his platform to highlight the kingdom’s poor human rights record.
“Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape and drug trafficking.
‘The authorities also continue to crack down on freedom of expression and association, imposing harsh prison terms on human rights defenders, women’s rights activists and other political activists.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a Saudi sportswear washing tool; he should use his time at Al-Nassr to talk about the myriad of human rights issues in the country.’
Ronaldo was officially introduced as an Al-Nassr player on Tuesday after the agreement of a £175 million a year contract.
Ronaldo was introduced as “the best footballer in the world” in front of 25,000 raucous fans at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, against a backdrop of fireworks, flares and strobe lights.
And, in his presentation, he had talked about promoting his new country of residence.
He had said: ‘This contract is unique, but I am a unique player, so for me it is normal.
“I gave my word to this club to develop not only football but other parts of this amazing country.”