The head of European golf has apologised to the families of the victims of 9/11 after talks with the Saudi sponsors of LIV Golf in New York City on the 23rd anniversary of the attacks.
On September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks killed 2,977 people and injured thousands more at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings is in talks with the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund – the owners of LIV Golf and Newcastle – to secure a peace deal. Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are also said to be involved after investing in the PGA Tour.
The timing of the talks angered the victims’ families. 9/11 Justice Chairman Brett Eagleson, who lost his father John in the attacks, called those involved “completely deaf.”
When told that the timing of the talks “didn’t look right,” Kinnings said, according to the Mirrorreplied: ‘No, absolutely true. The point is that unfortunately we have not set a timetable and an agenda.
DP World Tour director Guy Kinnings has apologized to the families of 9/11 victims after major cash negotiations with Saudi-backed LIV Golf in New York City last week on the 23rd anniversary
Peace talks are currently taking place between the DP Tour, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, with a lot of money being spent (pictured is Saudi Arabian State Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan).
The talks in New York began on September 10 and were expected to last several days.
‘From my perspective, I have only the deepest sympathy and empathy for those families.
“We were called into a meeting, which I don’t think we saw the data for, and we were trying to do the best we could for golf. But there’s a bigger picture for the families. I was there, I watched a number of the ceremonies, and all you feel is sympathy and empathy for the families.
‘There was no intention in the meeting to show disrespect – I don’t think it was intentional at all. The intention was to do the right thing for the sport, but if anyone was offended by this then of course I apologise because I have nothing but the deepest sympathy for those people.’
Fifteen of the 19 hijackers in 2021 were Saudi nationals, although the country’s government has consistently denied any involvement in the attacks.
9/11 Justice has long accused Saudi Arabia of supporting the terrorists who carried out the attacks. The organization also regularly criticizes LIV Golf.
The talks in New York began on Tuesday, September 10, and are expected to last several days.
Eagleson previously lashed out at superstar Tiger Woods and those attending the meeting.
The president of 9/11 Justice, who was 15 when he lost his father in the South Tower, wrote on X on September 10: “Tomorrow marks the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11, but today we are here in New York City, around the corner from Ground Zero, and the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods are negotiating with them.”
9/11 Justice President Brett Eagleson (center) said those involved in the meeting were “completely deaf to the tone”
Tiger Woods and the golf bosses were criticized by the President of 9/11 Justice for the talks
He added: ‘I“It is disgusting, unacceptable and incredibly hurtful that the Tour and Woods would do this, especially now.”
LIV Golf was launched in 2022 and although the framework for a peace deal was announced last year, no agreement has yet been reached.
Rory McIlroy claimed earlier this week that the two biggest obstacles to a potential deal were the US Department of Justice and “different interests on the player side”.
When asked what the stumbling blocks to a deal are, McIlroy told reporters at Wentworth on Wednesday, according to Sports Illustrated: ‘Ministry of Justice. Perhaps other interests than the players’ side.
“I would say maybe half the players on LIV want the deal to happen, the other half probably don’t. I would say it’s probably similar on the PGA Tour.
“Because like everything else, everyone looks out for themselves and their own interests. It would benefit some people if a deal didn’t go through, but it would clearly benefit some people if a deal did go through.”