Sportswashing Strategy

Sportswashing is a strategy where individuals, organizations, or even countries use sports as a means to enhance their reputation or divert attention from negative actions or human rights violations. It's a form of reputation laundering through association with positive sporting events or teams. For instance, Qatar utilized sportswashing by hosting major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, attempting to reshape its image despite controversies over labor rights and treatment of migrant workers. Similarly, Saudi Arabia invested in various sports events and entities to divert focus from criticisms of its human rights record. Furthermore, Manchester City's ownership by the Abu Dhabi royal family is often viewed as a sportswashing tactic, where success in football helps in deflecting attention from issues within the country. This strategy involves substantial financial investments, positioning the entity as a benefactor of sports, thereby attempting to overshadow their negative image.