Why the era of Saudi “sportswashing” could be over

A multi-billion-dollar Saudi-backed golf tour is reportedly close to collapse – so could this spell an end to the Gulf state’s interest in sport? The controversial LIV Golf Tour is just one strand of the Saudis’ sporting portfolio. Footballing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo plays there, while the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also owns English Premier League team, Newcastle United. But the PIF - which has plunged $5b into the LIV project - has a new five-year economic strategy that includes no mention of sport. Having been accused of using sport as a political tool to legitimise the Saudi regime, what led to this apparent change of strategy? Sky News’ sports correspondent Rob Harris joins Niall to discuss what it means for the future of Saudi sport. Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk

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Why the era of Saudi “sportswashing” could be over is an episode from Sky News Radio - Daily by Sky News.

This episode is 17:21 long.

This episode was published on Apr 16, 2026.

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