According to a prominent academic expert Geoff Harkness, if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani were to acquire Manchester United, it could potentially serve as a means of sports washing.
The Sheikh has consistently denied any connection to the Qatari government and has actively tried to distance himself from comparisons to PSG’s ownership.
PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investment, which is under the supervision of Qatar’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
There are ongoing concerns regarding sports washing, which also emerged during the Winter World Cup held in Qatar.
Many viewed the tournament, won by Argentina, as an instance of sports washing, as the focus on the thrilling matches overshadowed the human rights abuses faced by migrant workers involved in constructing the stadiums.
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Geoff Harkness, an associate professor at Rhode Island College and the author of “Changing Qatar: Culture, Citizenship, and Rapid Modernization,” provided insights into the concept of sports washing in the context of a potential takeover of Man United by Sheikh Jassim.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, he said:
“The Al Thani family and the Qatari government are largely synonymous. Qatar has been ruled by the Al Thanis for more than 150 years, so any move made by the Qatari government has an Al Thani hand behind it.”
“The Al Thani’s have a history of hiding their involvement in various commercial and political enterprises, both domestically and abroad.”
“The Al Thani family tends to use its money strategically, looking to enhance its wealth and boost its profile through careful and deliberate investment. Boosting Qatar’s reputation through sport-swashing is absolutely part of that plan.”
Sportswashing took centre stage in the Premier League when Newcastle United was purchased by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Despite the club’s success in securing Champions League football in their first season under new ownership, concerns about sports washing remained prevalent.
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According to Harkness, who highlighted the deep-rooted links between Sheikh Jassim and the Qatari regime, even if Man United achieves greater success under the new owners, sports-washing concerns will persist among the club’s fans.
