Sheikh Mansour, a prominent figure in the Abu Dhabi royal family and also holding the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the United Arab Emirates, is the proprietor of Manchester City Football Club. Amnesty International has leveled allegations against the
Abu Dhabi-based owners of Manchester City, suggesting that they are attempting to use the club’s financial investments in the Premier League as a means of improving their country’s reputation, which has been marred by various controversies and issues.
Understanding Sportswashing and Its Connection to Manchester City
Sportswashing is a concept employed to describe the strategy of enhancing the reputation of a nation or organization by making substantial investments in high-profile sporting events or teams.
These investments can take the form of sponsorships by state-run entities or the nation itself, as well as the acquisition of ownership stakes in clubs, teams, or sports-related entities.
Critics frequently contend that these endeavors are designed to divert attention away from human rights violations and other contentious issues within their respective domains.Approximately £1.45 billion has been infused into Manchester City by Sheikh Mansour, a financial injection often characterized as a form of “sportswashing” aimed at diverting attention from human rights concerns in the UAE.
The owners of Manchester City from Abu Dhabi face allegations of using the club to improve their nation’s severely damaged reputation through substantial financial investments in the Premier League team.
Amnesty International has voiced concerns over Manchester City’s close ties to a country that relies on exploited migrant labor and detains peaceful critics and human rights advocates.
The acquisition of Manchester City and Newcastle United by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, respectively, was made possible due to favorable local social, economic, and political circumstances, which rendered both clubs and their cities susceptible to sportswashing tactics.
Amnesty International Criticism Over Sheikh Mansour Man City Club For Sports Washing
Amnesty International consistently criticizes the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for its human rights record, highlighting restrictions on freedom of expression, unfair trials, and the arbitrary detention of citizens even after completing their prison sentences. The organization also condemns the UAE for gender discrimination and the mistreatment of migrant workers.
Despite awareness among Manchester City fans of the UAE’s problematic human rights record, many have chosen to overlook these concerns. The acquisition of Manchester City was made by the Abu Dhabi United Group, led by Sheikh Mansour, a member of the royal family.
Signs of this affiliation are evident throughout City’s Etihad stadium, with numerous invitations to “visit Abu Dhabi” and expressions of gratitude to Sheikh Mansour.Manchester City has been accused of breaking the rules of the Premier League more than 100 times. This has made people wonder about what this means for the future of football and how sportswashing is involved in the sport.
An increasing number of Manchester City fans are becoming cognizant of the fact that the club’s success has been closely tied to a country that relies on the labor of exploited migrants and engages in the detention of peaceful critics and human rights advocates.
Have Manchester City Issued any Statements Regarding Human Rights Concerns
Manchester City has released a statement addressing the issues of slavery and human trafficking. Nevertheless, there is no indication that Manchester City has issued any statements regarding human rights issues concerning their ownership or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Amnesty International has accused the Abu Dhabi owners of Manchester City of engaging in “sportswashing,” using the club’s financial investments to improve their nation’s severely tarnished reputation in the international arena.
In light of these concerns, Manchester City has not publicly addressed or taken substantial measures to tackle these matters. The Etihad stadium of Manchester City prominently displays invitations to “visit Abu Dhabi” and expresses a profound “thank you to Sheikh Mansour.
