News - Middle East: Argentine star Lionel Messi's deal with Saudi tourism is an empowerment of the repressive government, and a sportswashing of the image of the Mohammed bin Salman regim, JOE website said.

The famous website confirmed that the deal made people forget the ugliness of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and helps the regime by doubling its repression.

"When you represent Saudi Tourism, you represent the regime,” Lina al-Hathloul, the sister of the prominent women's rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, whose story has made headlines internationally, tells JOE. "Tourism is directly linked to the 2030 vision set out by the Crown Prince, so Messi is effectively working for them. It’s very frustrating."

“It’s all about image, which is why they want Messi. It is exactly what we call sportswashing. People see him going there and assume Saudi is open and evolving. Then, the regime can double down on its repression,” al-Hathloul added.

"It’s very dangerous for us. It enables the violations - not only whitewashes - but enables them. It empowers a repressive government.”

Meanwhile, the British newspaper, the Mirror, said that the Argentine star Lionel Messi’s blatant deal with Saudi Arabia, puts him at risk of tarnishing world-class reputation.

The broad newspaper reported that Messi is accused of promoting a regime that commits horrific violations of human rights.

While an American website said that the star Messi is accused of participating in the sportswashing run by the regime of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The American website Pillarsuk stated that the accusation came after he was revealed as the new ambassador for tourism in Saudi Arabia.

It pointed out that star Cristiano Ronaldo rejected an offer of $6 million from the Saudi government last year.

The British International Business Times, in turn, launched a stinging attack on the Paris Saint-Germain player Lionel Messi, after his contribution to the sportswashing of Saudi Arabia.

The newspaper said in a report that Messi had agreed to be an ambassador for Saudi tourism despite the Gulf government's poor record.

It pointed out that Messi helps to wash the image of the regime in Saudi Arabia in the international community.

Saudi Arabia Sportswashing