Tyson Fury comments on major PIF triumph after former Newcastle United owner speaks out
Tyson Fury has congratulated Saudi Arabia for winning their bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
The Gulf state were unrivalled as they clinched football’s biggest prize. English, Scottish and Welsh FAs supported their successful bid, which will see the World Cup return to the Middle East following the 2022 edition in Qatar.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International, a prominent voice against Newcastle United’s takeover in 2021, hit out against the decision. Concerns were raised about the potential conditions of workers and LGBT inclusion.
Saudi have become a major sporting player in recent years as they work towards their Vision 2030 agenda. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) - who own an 85 per cent stake in Newcastle - have bulldozed their way into football, golf, boxing, snooker, the WWE and more.
Officially, PIF’s endeavors are part of a wider program to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil but critics claim “sportswashing” - the act of using sport to deflect from criticism relating to human rights issues - is the motive. Regardless of their intentions, the nation will host the 2034 World Cup and received backing from former Toon co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
“Huge congratulations to Saudi Arabia,” he said last week. “I know how important Football and Sport is to the Kingdom and the Saudi people. I am confident they will put everything into delivering one of the best World Cups we’ve ever seen.”
Heavyweight great Fury is preparing for a mammoth rematch against Oleksandr Usyk this weekend and also offered his congratulations. He told Al Arabiya: “First of all, congratulations to Saudi on getting the FIFA World Cup. I think it'll be a fantastic event. Any sports event that's held in Saudi is usually a marvellous event.
“So I'm sure the biggest sporting event on earth - the FIFA World Cup - will be even bigger. It's been a fantastic opportunity for me to come here and showcase in Saudi Arabia. I'm also getting the biggest fights that's possible on earth.”