Major sports events held in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia will again be the venue for a showpiece sport event as Jeddah plays host to the Spanish Super Cup.The Middle East kingdom, though, continues to come in for criticism from human rights campaigners such as Amnesty International.Here, the PA news agency takes a look at events which have headed to Saudi Arabia and the sportwashing controversy surrounding them.Joshua v Ruiz II Clash on the Dunes View this post on Instagram Scenes from last week! Thanks so much to everyone who came out to support with @jdofficial #TwoTimeChampA post shared by Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) on Dec 14, 2019 at 11:11am PSTBritains Anthony Joshua reclaimed the IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles with a stylish victory in his rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr in Riyadh during December 2018.However, the chosen destination for the showpiece fight dubbed Clash on the Dunes drew criticism from Amnesty International, which cited human rights violations, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the ongoing war in Yemen.Joshua had been called upon to use his platform to speak about against the regime. Promoter Eddie Hearn, though, defended the decision as boxing followed other high-profile sports to the region.We understand some criticism, but we also understand the people that have been there before us organisations that are considerably bigger than us, Hearn said in the build-up to the fight.There is time for change there and they are trying to make that change through sport.McIlroy takes moral high groundWhy has Rory McIlroy decided against playing in the European Tour's Saudi Arabia event? He explained his stance on @GCMorningDrive earlier today: https://t.co/jo86gpbXv3 pic.twitter.com/qnFm7DbbW2 Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 10, 2019Rory McIlroy ruled out competing at the upcoming 2020 Saudi International European Tour event, confirming there was a morality behind his decision.Northern Irishman McIlroy refused to deny a report he had been offered a 2.5million US dollars (1.9million) appearance fee. He told the Golf Channel: Its just not something that would excite me.You could say that about so many countries, not just Saudi Arabia, but a lot of countries that we play in that theres a reason not to go, but for me, I just dont want to go.McIlroy added: One hundred percent, theres a morality to it as well.I think the atmosphere looks better at the events on the west coast (of the United States) and Id much rather play in front of big golf fans and play in a tournament that really excites me.Khan on the moneyThank you for having me in Saudi Arabia @amirkhanpromo @SBLHitHarder @BillDosanjh @BillyDib @ArizaFitness1 pic.twitter.com/b8bbt6Czwb Amir Khan (@amirkingkhan) July 14, 2019Before the Clash on the Dunes, Saudi Arabia had fronted Amir Khans WBC international welterweight title fight against Billy Dib during July 2019.The British boxer outgunned an inferior opponent who had stepped in at short notice and moved up weights, as Dibs corner eventually threw in the towel at Jeddahs King Abdullah Sports City.Amnesty International has said the nation was in the grip of a sweeping crackdown against critics of the government and implored Khan to travel there with his eyes firmly open.Khan, though, claimed Saudi Arabia was undergoing significant social change. Maybe now they are changing to make it that new place where people can enjoy themselves and its fair for women, he said.The Briton, reportedly being paid a 7million purse, added: They are throwing a lot of money on to the table, and at the end of the day we are prizefighters. For me, I would be stupid to not take this opportunity.Gypsy Kings Crown JewelDo your thing, #GypsyKing.@Tyson_Fury #WWECrownJewel pic.twitter.com/7h3McmFlgy WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury headed to Saudi Arabia to make his WWE debut at the Crown Jewel event during October 2019.The British fighter backed up his trash talk hype by flooring Braun Strowman with a big right hand to win by count-out at the King Saud University Stadium.The organisers, though, were again criticised for supporting what Amnesty International described as an abysmal human rights record from their hosts.Ronaldo scores in Jeddah View this post on Instagram Contente pelo meu 1 trofu pela Juventus!! Trabalho feito!!! A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Jan 16, 2019 at 1:42pm PSTSaudi Arabia became the sixth different country to host a Supercoppa Italiana when Juventus took on AC Milan in January 2019.Cristiano Ronaldos goal was enough to give Juve a 1-0 win at King Abdullah Sports City.However, humanitarian organisations had appealed to both clubs and the Serie A league authorities over the choice of location a decision which Italys Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini labelled as disgusting given the restrictions set for women attending.Despite the ongoing controversy, the following season saw the showpiece Italian fixture held in Riyadh, where Lazio beat Juventus 3-1 on December 22 2019.Saudi Cup breaks the bankThe #WorldsRichestRace The Saudi Cup has a prize fund of $20m With a glittering undercard bringing the total prize fund to $29.2 millionEntries close on the January 7 2020 pic.twitter.com/Ra1LRLXufz The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) December 22, 2019The worlds richest horse race will be held in Saudi Arabia during February 2020.The 20million US Dollars (15.2million) Saudi Cup will be run over nine furlongs on dirt at the King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.The contest which will have a maximum field of 14, be free to run in and enter will see the winner receive 10million US Dollars (7.6million), with horses down to 10th place sharing another 10million US Dollars (7.6million) between them.The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, which has Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal as its chairman, will arrange and fund the shipment of all invited horses as well as arranging and paying for the flights and hotel accommodation of the horses connections.Snooker joins the Saudi clubICYMI: Saudi Arabia will host a ranking event for the first time in October 2020.The total prize fund for the Riyadh event is 2.5million! Info: https://t.co/mR66Nju6c2 pic.twitter.com/Vs8eCphuMH World Snooker (@WorldSnooker) December 8, 2019October 2020 will see Saudi Arabia host a ranking event for the first time, under a 10-year partnership deal with World Snooker.The Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in Riyadh is set to have a total fund of 2.5million with the top prize of 500,000 the same as the winner of the World Championship will receive.World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn hailed the move as a giant leap forward for our sport.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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