Eguller Yep. Athletes can do what they want, but we don't have to support or respect them - our choice. As far as the
politicians, we support or boycott them with our vote/or not and our $$.
Yup. And my choice has been to not support (watch) the Saudi Tournament. And imo it is highly disingenuous and naive for a player to claim ignorance or use the old lame excuse that 'sports and politics don't mix'. Have some integrity and own your decision.
Come out and say making money for me in Saudi Arabia takes precedent over human rights violations.
The playing dumb stance doesn't cut it for me. It would be like when apartheid was taking place in South Africa and claiming ignorance on what was happening there and saying 'I'm not political'. 🙄
You don't have to be political in knowing apartheid is wrong. Just as you don't have to be political in knowing Saudi Arabia's history of human rights issues such as unlawful killings, executions for nonviolent offenses, forced disappearances, torture, unlawful detention and arrests, no free speech, discrimination of women, religious discrimination, human rights organizations banned and a host of others.
By playing in Saudi Arabia you are in essence condoning human rights violations. Saudi Arabia with it's recent efforts to boost tourism has turned to golf. But some big names have stayed away. Most notably Rory Mcllroy who said last year that "one hundred percent, there's a morality to it."
Boycotts and sanctions helped end apartheid in South Africa and not just by governments. Ordinary people pressured businesses who did business in South Africa.
There's a history of boycotting and public outcry ending horrendous things regarding human rights. Unfortunately things don't change for the good if people keep quiet.
Playing in Saudi Arabia is the equivalent of keeping quiet.