Global human rights group, Amnesty international have urged Portugal forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, to use his fame and new role in the Saudi Arabian football club, Al Nassr, to speak against the country’s human rights violations.
This statement was made by Amnesty’s Middle East researcher Dana Ahmed, according to News Central.
Cristiano Ronaldo, on his arrival at his new club Al Nassr, praised Saudi Arabia, calling it a “wonderful country.”
The 37-year-old arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday after reportedly signing a £177 million a year contract until 2025, making him the highest-paid footballer in history.
Ahmed said, “Al Nassr’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo fits into a wider pattern of sportswashing in Saudi Arabia. It is highly likely that the Saudi authorities will promote Ronaldo’s presence in the country as a means of distracting from the country’s appalling human rights record.
“Instead of offering uncritical praise of Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo should use his considerable public platform to draw attention to human rights issues in the country. Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape and drug smuggling.
“Cristiano Ronaldo shouldn’t allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi sportswashing – he should use his time at Al Nassr to speak out about the myriad human rights issues in the country.”
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people in over 150 countries and territories who campaign to end abuses of human rights.
