Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said he “doesn’t care” if Saudi Arabia is accused of “sportswashing” – as long as it adds to the country’s GDP.

The prince made the comments during an interview with Fox News, in which he was asked about the country’s recent investments in sports, including the LIV Golf series and the Saudi Pro League.

“If it’s sportswashing and it improves my GDP by 1%, then I will continue doing sportswashing,” he said.

When asked if he was “OK with that term“, MBS replied:

“I don’t care – I have 1% GDP growth from sports and I’m aiming for another 1.5%. Call it whatever you want – we’re going to get that other 1.5%.”

Premier League players such as ex-Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Manchester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez, as well as Brazilian star Neymar, have been lured to the peninsula with big-money moves.

Newcastle United was also bought by a consortium dominated by the Saudi Public Investment Fund

Saudi Arabia has faced criticism in recent years for its human rights record, including the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the ongoing war in Yemen