Amnesty International: Ronaldo should draw attention to human rights issues in Saudia Arabia

• Cristiano Ronaldo has completed his big-money move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr.
• Portugal superstar said he wanted to “be part of the success of the country”.
• He left Manchester United in November after a row with manager Erik ten Hag.

After completing his high-paying transfer to Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to speak out against human rights issues in Saudi Arabia.

The Portuguese superstar claimed he wanted to “be part of the success of the country and the culture of the country” as he arrived at Al Nassr’s Mrsool Park stadium on Tuesday to loud cheers and fireworks.

After giving an inflammatory interview in which he criticised the team and manager Erik ten Hag, the 37-year-old left Manchester United in November.

Ronaldo’s signing, according to Amnesty International, is a part of a “wider pattern of sportswashing” in Saudi Arabia.

The former Real Madrid forward joins a Saudi push into sports including golf, boxing, tennis, and Formula 1 in addition to football, which began with the buying of English Premier League team Newcastle United in 2021.

Additionally, the Gulf state is considering a combined bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup.

#SaudiArabia | @Cristiano Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi’s sportswashing.

He should use his time at Al-Nassr to speak out about the myriad human rights issues in the country.https://t.co/lOekqeMxmZ

— Amnesty MENA (@AmnestyMENA) January 4, 2023

“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,” said Dana Ahmed, Amnesty´s Middle East researcher.

“Saudi Arabia regularly executes people for crimes including murder, rape and drug smuggling. On a single day last year, 81 people were put to death, many of whom were tried in grossly unfair trials.

“The authorities are also continuing their crackdown on freedom of expression and association, with heavy prison sentences handed down to human rights defenders, women´s rights activists and other political activists.

“Cristiano Ronaldo should not allow his fame and celebrity status to become a tool of Saudi´s sportswashing. He should use his time at Al Nassr to speak out about the myriad of human rights issues in the country.”

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