Sportwashing means that their action has for goal to deflect from something. I don't think that SA are attempting to deflect from anything or that they care about our opinion on anything. It's not becasue you have legitimate reasons to dislike someone that their actions are meant to change your view.
Amnesty internationals latest comment to footballers signing gargantual contracts with state owned clubs in Saudi Arabia:
"Football players must make their own choices when it comes to their careers. They must not pretend that these things does not happen (human rights violations etc.). By accepting transfers like this (Benzema going to Al-Ittihad) to Saudi Arabia, they become a piece of a state project that strenghtens the regime and contributes to build it's reputation, while putting the victims of human rights violations in the shadow"
The four biggest clubs in the Saudi Pro League are stateowned. Benzema and Ronaldo are literally getting paid by the regime itself to build Saudi Arabias reputation.
Tell me with a straight face this is not sportswashing.
It's the pure definition of it.
These footballers are already filthy rich and don't lack other lucrative job offers.
Why do people who have everything and have the opportunity to do good, choose this? It's just mindblowing to me that people can have this mindset in 2023. The greed has no limits. Fans supporting them in this is just as mindblowing.