What's happened
The playing of the Saudi national anthem before the heavyweight fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua at Wembley has sparked criticism, with accusations of 'sportswashing' against Saudi Arabia. Promoter Eddie Hearn defended the decision, citing respect for the financial support provided by Saudi organizers.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Jamie Gardner in The Independent, the decision to play the Saudi anthem was met with backlash, as critics labeled it a 'sportswashing' tactic. Hearn defended the move, stating, 'He’s given British boxing... the best night, he’s paid for it all.' Meanwhile, Oliver Brown from The Telegraph reported being denied entry to the fight after criticizing Saudi involvement, raising concerns about press freedom. The Football Association expressed disappointment over Brown's treatment, indicating a need for clearer policies regarding media access at events held in their venues.
How we got here
The fight, part of the Riyadh Season series, was heavily backed by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. Critics argue that Saudi involvement in sports is an attempt to improve its global image amid ongoing human rights concerns.
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Daniel Raphael Dubois is a British professional boxer who held the WBA interim heavyweight title from June to August 2021. He has held multiple regional heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles from 2019 to 2020.
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Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a country in Western Asia constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Wembley Stadium is a football stadium in Wembley, London. It opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished from 2002 to 2003.
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Edward John Hearn is an English sports promoter. He is a group managing director of Matchroom Sport, and a director of the Professional Darts Corporation. Hearn is the son of promoter Barry Hearn, the founder of Matchroom Sport.