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Business Daily: Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar football powerhouse bet

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Saudi Arabia’s billion dollar football strategy

06/11/2023 GMT

Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar football powerhouse bet

BBC World Service - Business Daily, Saudi Arabia's multi-billion dollar football powerhouse bet

Is it an ambitious economic plan? Or sportswashing?

Is the new Pro League an ambitious economic plan? Or sportswashing?

The Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the top players from around the world - with transfer fees and salaries amounting to millions of dollars.

We travel to Saudi Arabia to look at the country's ambitious plan to become a global football powerhouse - is it an economic move or simply sportswashing?

With Saudi Arabia now it's looking set to be confirmed as the host of the World Cup in 2034, we look at its relationship with football.

Presenter: Sameer Hashmi

(Image: Saudi football club Al Hilal welcomes Brazilian football star Neymar with an introductory ceremony at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on August 19, 2023. Credit: Getty Images)

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