ESPORTE E GEOPOLÍTICA (2a Parte) – Entrevista com o Prof. Dr. Marco Bettine

Summary

In this insightful interview, Professors Marco Bettini and Renato Marques discuss the concept of 'sport washing,' where countries, particularly in the Middle East, use sports to improve their international image and obscure internal issues like human rights violations. The conversation explores the political, economic, and ethical implications of this strategy, including the role of major sporting events and football clubs in shaping global perceptions. The professors urge for a more critical view of sports consumption, emphasizing the positive social values of sport while acknowledging the complex political and financial forces involved.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sport is used as a tool for political purposes, often to clean up a country's international reputation, particularly in the Middle East and Petro monarchies.
• 😀 The concept of 'sport washing' refers to using sport as a method to mask human rights violations and other negative issues of a country, such as racism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism.
• 😀 The term 'sport washing' was coined by Amnesty International to describe how countries, like those in the Middle East, use sports to improve their image on the global stage.
• 😀 Soft power and sport washing are linked, with countries using sports investments to enhance their reputation and exercise soft power, especially in the Middle East.
• 😀 Petro monarchies invest heavily in sports, particularly through purchasing football clubs like PSG and Manchester City, to gain international recognition and political influence.
• 😀 Sport washing involves the appropriation of the positive values associated with sports, such as health, well-being, and sociability, to divert attention from negative practices like human rights abuses.
• 😀 Some countries are also suspected of using sport as a means of laundering illegitimate money, with transactions involving players and teams serving as a way to hide financial misconduct.
• 😀 The discussion around sport washing includes concerns about the ethical implications of the investment and involvement of authoritarian regimes in global sports.
• 😀 The role of international organizations like Amnesty International and the UN has grown in addressing human rights violations related to sports, emphasizing the need for ethical practices.
• 😀 The need for critical reflection on sports consumption is highlighted, urging individuals to be aware of the political and economic factors influencing the global sports industry and its potential impact on society.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Esporte Sociedade program?

The Esporte Sociedade program is an extension project of the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto. It aims to form a channel for social analysis on sport, interacting with the interested public.

What is sport washing, and how does it relate to human rights issues?

Sport washing refers to the use of sport to clean up the image of a country or organization involved in human rights violations. The term was coined by Amnesty International and was notably used to describe the Middle Eastern countries using sports events to obscure their human rights abuses.

How did the 1936 Berlin Olympics serve as an example of sport washing?

The 1936 Berlin Olympics, organized by Nazi Germany, served as an early example of sport washing, where the event was used to promote Adolf Hitler's Aryan ideals and distract from the country's racist and xenophobic policies, culminating in the Holocaust.

What role does soft power play in sport washing?

Soft power is the use of culture, values, and attraction to influence others. In sport washing, countries use sports to project a positive image and strengthen their soft power, especially in countries with poor human rights records. This helps them improve international relations and enhance their global standing.

How do petromonarchies in the Middle East use sport washing to improve their image?

Petromonarchies, particularly in the Persian Gulf, invest heavily in sports, purchasing football teams like PSG and Manchester City. These investments are aimed at improving their international reputation and masking human rights violations, particularly related to women's rights and LGBTQIA+ issues.

What is the relationship between sports investments and the international reputation of countries like those in the Persian Gulf?

Countries in the Persian Gulf use sports investments as a tool for reputation management. By owning well-known football clubs or hosting international sporting events, they aim to present a positive image of their values, such as health, well-being, and sociability, while masking human rights issues.

What concerns have been raised about money laundering in sports?

There is growing concern that sport washing can be used for money laundering, particularly through the buying and selling of football players. Transactions involving high-profile clubs and players are sometimes seen as a way for countries or individuals to clean illegitimate money.

What are the potential negative impacts of sport washing on the integrity of sports?

Sport washing can undermine the core values of sports, such as fair play, integrity, and cultural heritage. By involving money laundering and human rights issues, it can distort the true purpose of sports and damage its role as a positive influence in society.

Why is it important for society to critically evaluate the role of sports in global politics?

It's important for society to critically evaluate the role of sports because sports are deeply integrated into global politics and daily life. Being aware of the behind-the-scenes investments and political motives allows people to make more informed choices about their participation in and consumption of sports.

What are some of the positive values that sports can promote, despite the issues surrounding sport washing?

Sports can promote positive values such as health, sociability, friendship, and quality of life. They also offer educational potential and the ability to bridge cultural gaps. These values are fundamental to sports and should be preserved even as some countries attempt to use sports for political purposes.