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Fans of Newcastle United stand outside a stadium in St. James' Park holding the Saudi flag
Image: Owen Humphreys/PA/dpa/picture alliance

Sportswashing

Sportswashing aims to blur the line between sports, politics, and propaganda, raising questions about the genuine motives behind the funding of sports events or clubs.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Bayern Munich fans holds up a large banner as the team plays on the pitch

Bayern Munich silent on Rwanda as pressure grows

Bayern Munich silent on Rwanda as pressure grows

Months after promising to investigate a deal with Rwanda labeled as "responsible for misery," Bayern have done nothing.
SportsApril 23, 2025
Naomi Osaka holding a tennis ball.

Paid maternity leave in tennis – courtesy of Saudi Arabia

Paid maternity leave in tennis – courtesy of Saudi Arabia

From now on, professional tennis players are to receive paid maternity leave – and Saudi Arabia is picking up the tab.
SportsMarch 7, 2025
Donald Trump salutes the American flag laid out on the field during the 2025 Super Bowl

Sports and politics

Sports and politics

While many claim that politics and sports should be kept separate, in practice they often intersect.
SportsFebruary 27, 2025
Iga Swiatek serves during a match at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia: Women's sport in focus after latest HRW report

Saudi Arabia: Women's sport in focus after latest HRW report

A new Human Rights Watch report shows how Saudi Arabia is using sports to paper over links to human rights abuses.
SportsNovember 21, 2024
Ballet students from the Kibera-based Project Elimu perform during a public show in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya on August 14, 2024

How can Africa counter negative portrayals?

How can Africa counter negative portrayals?

There's more to Africa than media portray. An NGO is working to change the story to reflect Africa's true potential.
PoliticsNovember 2, 2024
FIFA President Gianni Infantino in conversation ahead of a Saudi Women's Premier League football match

Female footballers speak out against FIFA-Saudi deal

Female footballers speak out against FIFA-Saudi deal

In an open letter, more than 100 players have criticized FIFA's cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia.
SportsOctober 22, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

President of Al Nassr Musalli Al-Muammar (right) with new signing Cristiano Ronaldo at a press conference

Are Middle East investments in the West a threat?

From football clubs to phone companies, Gulf Arab states are on an investment binge, thanks to high oil prices.
BusinessSeptember 11, 2023
A vehicle passes under a billboard showing Cristiano Ronaldo with Arabic wording which reads, Welcome Ronaldo, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia: Will football stars have a political impact?

World famous soccer stars are bringing extra scrutiny to more than Saudi Arabia's big-spending football league.
PoliticsSeptember 10, 2023
Manchester City players raise their arms as fireworks light the background behind them

Sportswashing in 2023: Can it be stopped?

Sportswashing is once again the hot topic. DW explains what it is and what, if anything, can be done to stop it.
SportsJune 13, 2023
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