Greg Norman's shocking comment about the horrific state-sponsored murder of a journalist sparks global outrage: 'Despicable trash'
- Greg Norman comments about the brual murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
- The dissident was killed and cut into pieces by Saudi Arabian hit squad
- Norman is launching a rebel golf series backed by the Middle East nation
By
LEVI PARSONS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
PUBLISHED: 04:55, 12 May 2022 | UPDATED: 06:42, 12 May 202
Greg Norman has been slammed for dismissing the horrific murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a 'mistake' as he promotes his rogue golf league that's backed by the oil-rich dictatorship.
The Australian former world No. 1 tried to minimise the brutal killing of the dissident, who was cut into pieces with a bone saw on the orders of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince in 2018, by saying: 'We've all made mistakes.'
Norman, 67, made the shocking comment on Thursday while spruiking his new billion-dollar breakaway golf series LIV, which is backed by the Middle East nation's sovereign wealth fund.
Backlash against the golfing great's statements quickly flooded social media with American sports columnist Mike Freeman calling the comments: 'Absolute despicable trash.'
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Greg Norman (pictured) is pictured at the Centurion Club in St Albans, UK, on May 11, 2022 where he made the comments about Jamal Khashoggi
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Norman's (pictured with wife Kirsten Kutner at the White House in 2019) nonchalant remarks about came as a shock golf fans and international media
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The Australian former world No. 1 tried to minimise the brutal killing of the dissident journalist (pictured), who was cut into pieces with a bone saw on the orders of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince in 2018, by saying: 'We've all made mistakes'
WHAT IS SPORTSWASHING?
The term 'sportswashing' is the practice of using sport as a propaganda tool to improve the reputation of a nation, company or individual.
Nations with poor human rights records will often look to host major international sporting events with the hope it will gloss over their treatment of minorities and raise their diplomatic standing in the world.
Sportswashing also happens when companies or individuals with shady pasts sponsor sporting teams or events to win favour in their community or with government.
The rival tour to the PGA - set to begin next month - has come under fire with critics claiming Saudi Arabia's is using the sport of golf to 'sportswash' its appalling human rights record.
Norman, who is chief executive and commissioner of LIV Golf, was grilled by reporters about Khashoggi at the Centurion Club near St Albans in the UK where the invitational series will begin on June 9.
'Everybody has owned up to it, right? It has been spoken about, from what I've read, going on what you guys reported,' he said.
'Take ownership, no matter what it is.
'Look, we've all made mistakes and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward.'
When asked about the 81 executions Saudi Arabia carried out in a single day in March, Norman said: 'Quite honestly I look forward, I don't look back. I don't look into the politics of things. I heard about it and just kept moving on.'
He claimed the authoritarian regime that criminalises homosexuality and grants few freedoms to women was undergoing a cultural change and people should focus on the 'good'.
'This whole thing about Saudi Arabia and Khashoggi and human rights, talk about it, but also talk about the good the country is doing to change its culture,' Norman said.
'There's not many countries that can stand up and be proud of that.
'They can't be proud of their past — there's a lot of countries in this world that have a cross to bear too — but they are looking after the younger generation.'