Editorial: Sport and politics often mix. But authoritarian regimes are clearly laundering their reputations through control of global games
sporting contests with global appeal. Such cunning is probably close to the mind of India’s strongman prime minister, Narendra Modi. His re-electionwill in effect be launched this week, when India, the hosts of the cricket World Cup, take on arch-rivals Pakistan. With home advantage, India are favourites to win the tournament. If the team are crowned one-day world cricket champions this year, Mr Modi may beand the criminalisation of dissent. But no cricketing nation wants to offend New Delhi.
India controls one sport, but others are buying the biggest names in sports to exert control. In the English Premier League, Manchester City is majority-owned by the United Arab Emirates’ deputy prime minister.2022 football World Cup was a sportwashing high point. Controversies over the host’s poor human rights record and draconian anti-gay laws did not stop fans from turning out in droves.
Staging today’s 48-team competition single‑handedly is considered too demanding for most nations. The next men’s tournament in 2026 will be played in Canada, Mexico and the US. But holding the 2030 competition insounds surreal. Spain, Portugal and Morocco have been named as co-hosts, yet the opening three matches will take place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the World Cup’s centenary. Such aits critics abroad. Buying into sport has helped to rehabilitate its image.
Realpolitik can’t be overlooked. Respecting different cultures does not mean abuse is condoned. The lure of the arena ought not excuse a lack ofresponsibility. Sport can produce great public happiness, and the idea that only the ill-intentioned would censure it. But it jars to know that the pure joy experienced by many fans rests on the fruits of baseness.
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