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    Marcelo Bielsa demands Premier League chiefs BLOCK fans returning to stadiums until all 20 clubs can reopen their gates

    MARCELO BIELSA has demanded Premier League chiefs block fans returning to grounds until all 20 top-flight clubs can reopen their turnstiles.
    Under the new Covid tier system, HALF of Prem clubs will still not be allowed supporters from Wednesday, while the other ten can have 2,000.

    Marcelo Bielsa feels it’s unfair only half the Prem can welcome back fansCredit: AFP or licensors

    Bielsa believes all clubs must be allowed fans or none at allCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Leeds are in Tier 3 and must keep fans locked out – with boss Bielsa saying: “If fans are not allowed in all stadiums, then they should not be allowed until everyone can.
    “Clubs shouldn’t have  to deal with the  consequences of being in a category. It should be about trying to maintain the competition as equally as possible.”
    Arsenal will become the first Prem team to welcome fans back since March when they host Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.
    While West Ham’s Prem clash with Manchester United next Saturday is set to be the first top-flight match with fans since the Covid lockdown.

    Bielsa believes the system will warp the league and mean an unequal playing field weighted in favour of those teams — in London, Merseyside and on the south coast — that can have crowds.
    He added: “The presence of fans has an effect on the result.
    “Places with a higher risk of infection will be penalised but they should not be punished for that.”
     Bielsa’s assessment was backed by Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, whose fans must also stay at home.

    Bruce said: “Being in Tier 3 is a kicking. It will give the Liverpool and London clubs an advantage.”
    But Crystal Palace chief Roy Hodgson does not see any advantage.
    He said: “I don’t honestly think the 2,000 fans are going to be able to create enough problems to disturb the away team.”
    Prem bosses declined  to respond directly to Bielsa’s comments.
    But a spokesman said: “We continue to work on a roadmap for pilot events that can help clubs scale up to larger capacities.”

    Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani prepared for Marcelo Bielsa exit in summer More

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    Soccer aces ‘tried to bribe Football Manager creators to boost skill ratings’

    SOCCER aces have tried to bribe the creators of Football Manager to boost their skill ratings, it has been claimed.
    The computer games’ director Miles Jacobson said some agents have offered cash bungs in return for an improvement in clients’ “abilities”.

    Miles Jacobson said some agents have offered cash bungs in return for an improvement in clients’ ‘abilities’Credit: Rex Features

    Miles said: “I’ve had agents that have tried to bribe me to put stuff up, and the ones that have asked me that know to never ask me that again.
    “Because, I’m not one for bribing.”
    The Sports Interactive game already has a reputation among players for helping unearth new talent after some managers admitted to using it to scout for new stars.
    Former Chelsea and Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted to using the game to find players while working as a scout for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.

    Andre Villas-Boas admitted to using the game to find players while working as a scoutCredit: AFP or licensors

    And Everton FC has used the game since 2008. admit to using the game to find players while he himself was a Chelsea scout in the first Mourinho era.
    The FM database represents real-world footballers with around 250 statistics which cover a variety of aspects including pace, strength, shooting, tackling and creativity and leadership.
    The stats are compiled by 1,000 researchers around the world and are then refined before being inputted into the database.

    Mourinho slams managers who tell stars to skip internationals
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    Anton Ferdinand reveals he was made to feel like the guilty party by the FA after John Terry racism row

    ANTON FERDINAND felt like the guilty man during a meeting with FA officials investigating his race row with John Terry.
    The former QPR defender is finally opening up on his infamous run-in with the Chelsea captain more than nine years ago.

    Anton Ferdinand has opened up on his racism ordeal

    Terry was cleared in court but convicted by the FA of using insulting language referencing skin colour during the stormy London derby in 2011.
    Ferdinand was called upon to provide a statement in the aftermath and remains bitter about his treatment.
    The 35-year-old said: “I just wanted the FA to deal with it. All I wanted to do was play football.
    “The FA got involved and I was happy. They needed a statement from me.

    “I was sitting in a room with two FA delegates and they were probing me. Probing me?
    “They were starting to make me feel like I was in the wrong.
    “All I know is I didn’t feel like the victim in that room.”
    Ferdinand has made a documentary with the BBC, Anton Ferdinand: Football, Racism and Me.

    John Terry was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand by the FACredit: PA:Press Association

    The ex-West Ham and Sunderland defender feels he would have been labelled a ‘stereotypical angry black man’ if he’d spoken up at the time.
    He does admit firing the first insult during the clash by taunting Terry over claims he had bedded Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend.
    Ferdinand revealed: “I said, ‘You sh***ed your team-mate’s missus, you are a c-word’.
    “It was a rumour then and I was trying to rile him up.
    “I’m not proud of what I said to him.
    “On a football pitch, sometimes your emotions are invested and you want to say things that hurt people. It’s a game of egos.”
    Terry was cleared of racist abuse in court but later convicted by the football authorities, banned for four games, fined £220,000 and stripped of the England captaincy.
    Ferdinand said: “Because I’ve never spoken about it, I don’t think I quite understand what I went through and I need to come to terms with that, not just as a footballer but as a person. I had no idea that anything had occurred on the pitch. Everyone was just buzzing that we’d beaten Chelsea.

    He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes
    Anton Ferdinand

    “My mum said, ‘Anton, are you OK?’ I said, ‘Yes, of course’.
    “My wife says, ‘Then you’d better have a look at this and hands me her brother’s phone.
    “This is the first time I’m seeing it. I’m looking at the phone and rage just came over me.
    “You know when they say your blood boils. It just hit me.
    “He said, ‘You f***ing black c***, you f***ing love it’. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
    “I got booed everywhere I went after he lost the England captaincy.
    “The abuse on social media started immediately and never stopped.
    “I’d wake up and expect there to be racial abuse on my phone.

    The pair faced each other again in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association

    Ferdinand last played in Scotland for St MirrenCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
    “All that love I had for the game was just ripped out of me. I hated the game, what it stood for.
    “I couldn’t retaliate. I had to be professional. Shut up and deal with it.
    “Where does that go? Where is that release? You can’t deal with it as a human being then.
    “I could stand here be macho and say I wasn’t traumatised. But I was.”
    Terry, who is now assistant head coach at Aston Villa, admitted using the words but was acquitted because of his explanation that they were phrased as a question, rather than as a direct insult.
    The pair have not spoken since.
    Ferdinand wants a meeting so they can both get closure on a momentary exchange which shook sport.
    He added: “I watched John Terry take a knee. Fair play to him because he got a backlash on social media and called a hypocrite.

    Carlton Cole recently claimed that Terry had admitted using the racist languageCredit: PA:Press Association
    “He’s doomed if he does and doomed if he doesn’t. I hope that him showing that comes from a good place.
    “But don’t just take a knee, come and talk about it.”
    Earlier this month, Terry’s former Chelsea team-mate Carlton Cole claimed he had confessed to using the racist language in ‘a moment of madness’.
    But a statement from Terry’s lawyers said:  “John Terry refutes in the strongest possible terms the allegations that are made against him by Carlton Cole.
    “They are false and never happened and Mr Terry has previously been cleared of these allegations in an English court of law.
    “Never before has Carlton Cole mentioned this to Mr Terry or raised any issue of this type with him, the FA or the police.
    “The reason for that is because the words were not said.”

    Anton Ferdinand subjected to sickening racial abuse on social media after plugging his new anti-racism TV documentary More

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    Diego Maradona dead – England stars pay tribute to World Cup nemesis and one of all-time greats as he dies at 60

    DIEGO Maradona was shaking the Hand of God last night as the football world mourned one of its greatest.
    Argentina’s World Cup-winning skipper, 60, died of a heart attack at home weeks after brain surgery.

    ⚠️ Read our Diego Maradona death live blog for the latest news & updates

    Diego Maradona died of a heart attack aged 60Credit: Getty

    The football legend will forever be remembered for his Hand of God goal in 1986Credit: PA:Press Association

    Gary Lineker was among his ex-England rivals to lead the tributesCredit: Getty

    Paul Gascoigne, who played against Maradona in Italy, said ‘it’s such sad news for everyone in sport’Credit: Empics

    Fans got a glimpse of what might have been when Kevin Keegan swapped tops with Maradona in 1980Credit: Getty
    He became a hate figure for his Hand of God goal in 1986 but will be remembered as one of the greatest to play the game.
    Former England star Gary Mabbutt said Maradona would have been a favourite in a Three Lions shirt.
    Fans got a tantalising glimpse of what might have been when Maradona, then 19, swapped tops with Kevin Keegan after a 3-1 England win at Wembley in 1980.

    Mabbutt, 59, told The Sun: “He was one of the greatest of all time.
    “When Argentina won the World Cup with him as captain in 1986… it’s impossible to do it single-handedly but he was just exemplary.
    “He would have been an asset to the English side.”
    Mabbutt was once Maradona’s teammate in a benefit match for Argentina and Spurs hero Ossie Ardiles, and said: “He was incredible. Even in the dressing room, the tricks he was doing . . his ability in the game was greatly admired.”

    Last night Argentine president Alberto Fernandez posted a photo of him embracing Maradona, 60, and said: “You took us to the top of the world. You made us immensely happy. You were the greatest of all.
    “Thank you Diego. We’re going to miss you forever.”

    Maradona died just weeks after undergoing brain surgeryCredit: AFP or licensors

    He suffered a long battle with his health, forcing him to make numerous trips to hospital in recent monthsCredit: EPA

    He was taken ill at the home of his former wife Claudia VillafañeCredit: Getty
    The midfield genius was taken ill at the home of one of his two daughters and former wife Claudia in Tigre, just north of the capital Buenos Aires.
    Maradona went back to bed after breakfast, having told his nephew Johnny Esposito: “I don’t feel well.” They were to be his final words.
    A nurse at the property raised the alarm after discovering he had suffered a suspected heart attack.
    But he was already beyond hope when medics arrived.
    His death has sparked three days of mourning with a huge funeral likely next week.
    A brilliant No10 who starred for Napoli, Barcelona and Argentina in the ’80s and ’90s, Maradona was famed for his mazy dribbling.
    In the 1986 World Cup quarter- final he punched the ball past England goalie Peter Shilton.
    The foul was missed by match officials and a goal awarded in the days well before VAR.
    Minutes later, with England fans cursing his cheating, he dribbled 60 yards to net a second, later voted goal of the century.

    In the 1986 World Cup quarter-final he famously punched the ball past Peter ShiltonCredit: Getty

    That year, Argentina won the World Cup with him as captainCredit: AFP – Getty

    He won 91 caps for Argentina, scored 34 goals and played in four World CupsCredit: Getty
    But Maradona’s career was also blighted by drink and cocaine abuse which triggered wild behaviour and serious health problems.
    Gary Lineker, 59, who scored for England in the 1-2 Hand of God defeat, tweeted: “By some distance the best player of my generation, arguably the greatest of all time.
    “After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God.”
    Paul Gascoigne, who played against Maradona in Italy, said: “It’s such sad news for everyone in sport. What a talent.”
    Former foe Shilton said this summer: “He may have been the greatest player ever but I didn’t respect him one bit.

    After a blessed but troubled life, hopefully he’ll finally find some comfort in the hands of God.
    Gary Lineker

    “Especially because he never apologised faor cheating. He felt that he didn’t have to apologise, so that was that.
    “It is sad that despite winning 125 caps for England, that moment is what I am most remembered for.”
    Maradona was pictured with his surgeon Dr Leopoldo Luque when he left hospital on November 11 — eight days after being admitted with a blood clot on the brain.
    The ailing legend, overweight and a sad shadow of the swaggering star of his heyday, still attracted crowds of fans as was driven from the private Olivos Clinic.
    Nine ambulances rushed him to the gated family residence so the star could recuperate amid Argentina’s Covid lockdown.

    Ace’s ‘sorry’ for the goal

    By Tom Wells

    I SHOOK the Hand of God in January 2008 in an extraordinary interview in which he apologised for the infamous goal.
    Speaking through a translator, Maradona told me of his life, football and drugs battle.
    On the Hand of God goal he said: “If I could apologise and go back and change history I would do. But the goal is still a goal. Argentina became world champions and I was the best player in the world. I cannot change history.”
    He said he had contemplated suicide due to his battles with cocaine.

    Maradona presented a national team to Argentina’s Pope Francis in 2014Credit: AP:Associated Press

    Brazil legend Pele said ‘I have lost a dear friend, and the world has lost a legend’Credit: Reuters

    Gary Mabbutt said Maradona would have been a favourite in a Three Lions shirtCredit: AFP – Getty

    Lionel Messi said it was ‘a very sad day for all Argentines and football’Credit: AP:Associated Press

    Usain Bolt posted a tribute online, writing ‘RIP to legend Maradona’
    Lawyer Matias Morlahas had said Maradona would continue to receive treatment for alcohol dependency following his hospital release.
    The star was still coach of Argenitina’s Gimnasia y Esgrima club despite a string of recent hospital admissions.
    He claimed to have kicked his cocaine addiction which dogged his glory days in the 1980s and almost killed him in 2000.
    He was also famed for his partying and womanising.
    He had a secret love child Diego Jnr while at Napoli who he refused to acknowledge until 2003 — the year before his divorce from long-suffering wife Claudia Villafañe.
    His weight ballooned after he stopped playing thanks to his wild lifestyle forcing him to have a gastric bypass operation to lose weight in 2005.
    He was later hospitalised for alcohol-induced hepatitis and collapsed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — where he was seen making manic obscene gestures on TV.
    A video also emerged of him drinking tequila on a plane, and in which he laughed he “drank all the wine” ahead of Argentina’s win over Nigeria.
    But it was the diminutive, left-footed star’s silky skills and mesmeric talent for which he was best remembered.
    He was the first player in football history to set the world record transfer fee twice — first with a £5million move to Barcelona, then a £6.9million to move to Napoli.

    Fans took to the streets to pay their respects to the sporting iconCredit: Getty

    In one of his final interviews, Maradona said ‘I am eternally grateful to the people, every day they surprise me’Credit: AP:Associated Press
    He also played for Spanish club Sevilla plus Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors and Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland.
    His greatest silverware hauls came with Napoli and Barcelona, which were preceded by chaotic exits.
    He won 91 caps for Argentina, scored 34 goals and played in four World Cups, captaining his side to a 1986 final triumph over West Germany in Mexico.

    Soccer gave me everything I have, more than I ever imagined.
    Diego Maradona

    He also played in the 1990 final won by the Germans.
    On his 60th birthday on October 30, Maradona spoke of his concern that fans would continue to love and support him.
    He said: “I am eternally grateful to the people. Every day they surprise me, what I experienced in this return to Argentine football I will never forget.
    “I was out for a long time and sometimes one wonders if people will still love me, if they will continue to feel the same.”
    The icon also rued his addictions which robbed him of the chance to be an even better player.
    He said: “Soccer gave me everything I have, more than I ever imagined and if I hadn’t had that addiction, I could have played a lot more. But that is past, I am fine and what I regret the most is not having my parents.”
    Maradona told how he missed his late mum Dalma, and of his hope that she was still looking down on him with pride.

    The Sun says

    CHEAT? Genius? Maradona was certainly both in that infamous 1986 World Cup tie.
    But he should mainly be remembered as the latter — a staggering, if flawed, talent who inspired millions of kids.
    We have to hand you that, Diego.

    He said: “I always make that wish, one more day with my mother but I know that from heaven she is proud of me and that she was very happy.’’
    Maradona’s brother-in-law died of Covid and his sister battled the virus.
    Asked what his ideal 60th birthday present would be in his final interview he said: “My wish is that this pandemic passes as soon as possible and that my Argentina can move forward.”

    Emotional Gary Lineker pays tribute to Diego Maradona
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta orders Nicolas Pepe to prove he’s learned his lesson after Leeds headbutt in Molde clash

    NICOLAS PEPE has been ordered to prove tonight that he has learned his lesson following Sunday’s red mist at Elland Road.
    Arsenal’s £72million record signing will lead the line in chilly Norway for their Europa League Group B clash with Molde.

    Mikel Arteta hopes to see the best of Nicolas Pepe against Molde after his headbutt at LeedsCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

    Pepe was shown a straight red as Arsenal managed to cling on for a draw at Elland RoadCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

    Manager Mikel Arteta insists he has forgiven the hot-headed winger after Pepe apologised for being sent off for headbutting Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski.
    And Arteta dismissed suggestions the red card could be the end of the Ivorian’s Gunners career.
    The Spaniard said: “I don’t like that type of statement because there is no way  there is a threat to his time here.
    ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

    “We all have disappointments and reactions in our playing careers and obviously it was frustrating to be playing with ten men for a long time.
    “But Nico had a really good reaction with the way he apologised and understood his responsibilities. Hopefully we all see the player we want against Molde.
    “This club has made  a huge investment in him and people obviously expect a lot from him because of his quality.
    “It is the most difficult thing to be consistent when you have to create, unlock the door, score goals and make assists.

    “But that is why he is here and now he needs to embrace that challenge and go for it.

    “Nico needs to feel that myself and the club are going to protect him and that we are going to give him time to adapt to the Premier League, a new city, a new language and a new environment.
    “I will give him my full support all the time but I am also going to be very demanding with him because I know what he can do and he needs to show that every week.
    “There are certain aspects that he can do better but I cannot fault his efforts at all.
    “His stats show that the way he is working and trying for the team are the best since he’s been at the club.
    “We all make mistakes when the heat is on and it’s about how you react and what you learn as an individual.
    “Nico did what he did, he apologised personally and publicly and now it’s time to move on.”

    Victory on Molde’s artificial pitch this evening will secure Arsenal’s Europa League qualification with two group games still to play.
    And they really could do with a win after struggling in the Premier League in recent weeks.
    Arteta claimed: “The margins are minimal and teams are winning league games with one or two shots on target.
    “We want to improve our results, of course, but there are also aspects of our play that make me really enthusiastic and optimistic.
    “When I see the young talent that we work with at this club and the future we can produce for them, it gets me really excited.
    “So when you have the chance to qualify early, you have to grab that chance because you never know what’s going to happen in the other games. And this would really help with squad management in December.”

    Arteta explains why he’s so cross, addresses Pepe’s unacceptable actions and reveals his worries over a lack of goals More

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    Van de Beek must have thought ‘I’m a redundant footballer…get me out here’ but now he could be key to Man Utd’s plans

    MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to have found the key to getting 11 stars working together on the pitch.
    Donny van de Beek must have been thinking ‘I’m a redundant footballer . . . get me out here’ since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer.

    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

    Donny van de Beek delivered a superb performance for Manchester United after being given his chanceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But he was king of the castle in United’s 4-1 Champions League win over Istanbul Basaksehir and offered a vision of a bright future for the team.
    In what was only his fifth start, the deep-lying Dutchman offered the link between front and back that the Red Devils have been missing.
    What it also crucially did was give Bruno Fernandes more freedom to do damage further forward.

    No longer did he have to keep dropping deep to get the ball and get things moving because Van de Beek was doing that.
    The £40million signing was answering his manager’s call to keep things simple with passing and movement that made United tick over.
    No longer did Fernandes feel like he needed to do the job of two men.
    Van de Beek said: “It worked really well. Some games I play No 10 and sometimes the coach needs me in the control position. That is fine for me because when I played at Ajax, I was playing in those positions, so it is OK.”

    There will be sterner tests than Wednesday night to come. But there is nothing to suggest the son of Ajax cannot reproduce this form at any level.
    United great and TV pundit Rio Ferdinand said: “He is the one player in the squad who is happy playing one-touch, two-touch, keeping it simple.

    “He sacrifices parts of his game for other people to flourish – and in any great team you need players like that, who make other players tick. Bruno benefited from having him in the team.”
    Former United midfielder Paul Scholes added: “He is very aware of what Fernandes wants to do with the ball.”
    Solskjaer has been holding back the 23-year-old in the belief he is physically not ready for the demands of the domestic league.
    He has started three European games and two in the EFL Cup — but none in the Prem.
    Yet with a Fred or Scott McTominay next to him in a two in front of the back four, Van de Beek can work his magic.
    As Solskjaer himself said: “Donny’s a different type of central midfielder, he can run forward if you have Scott in there.”

    Fernandes certainly enjoyed his freedom further forward once again, proving he is more than a penalty taker when it comes to goals.
    His brace took him to 21 goals in 35 appearances for United since joining from Sporting Lisbon last January.
    That is the quickest a Red Devils midfielder has hit the 20-goal mark. So now a visit to fifth-placed Southampton awaits on Sunday. Van de Beek is ready. Is Solskjaer ready to pick him?

    Bruno Fernandes explains his decision to let Marcus Rashford take Man Utd’s penalty against Istanbul Basaksehir More

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    Man Utd hero Rashford to be honoured with special award at Sports Personality of the Year for work fighting poverty

    MARCUS RASHFORD is to be honoured with a Special Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
    But the Manchester United and England striker, 23, will not be included in the shortlist for the main prize.

    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

    Marcus Rashford will receive a Special Award for his impact outside of footballCredit: PA:Press Association
    The Special Award has been made on behalf of the judging panel in recognition of Rashford’s exceptional impact outside of sport, in which he successfully campaigned for free school meals for kids during school holidays.
    Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater said: “Marcus’ endeavour to give a voice to those who find themselves in a situation that he too is familiar with has been greatly admired and the panel wanted to ensure he was recognised for that.
    “In a year that has been challenging for everyone, but particularly vulnerable families, he has gone above and beyond to transcend his sport and make a real difference.

    “This award is a tribute to a remarkable young man.”
    SPOTY rules did not allow Rashford’s crusade to be included in the nominations for the main award because that is based on sporting achievement.
    Rashford will receive his gong at the Salford event on December 20.
    The England striker was named the Pride of Britain earlier this year after the success of his campaign to extend free school meals.

    He has also launched the Marcus Rashford Book Club which is aimed at encouraging youngsters to read – especially those from vulnerable and under privileged backgrounds.
    Rashford is not just excelling off the pitch though with the United striker scoring a penalty in their 4-1 win against Istanbul Basaksehir on Tuesday in the Champions League.
    And the role model can now look forward to getting his hands on the award next month for the work he has accomplished outside of football.

    Boris Johnson has ‘been in touch’ with Marcus Rashford over free school meals, Matt Hancock claims More

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    Saudi GP bosses deny ‘sportswashing’ nation’s human rights record with 2021 F1 race after Amnesty International backlash

    SAUDI GP bosses deny they want to ‘sportswash’ the country’s human-rights record by paying to host a race next season.
    Amnesty International criticised Formula One for adding the Grand Prix to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.

    Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal denies Saudi Arabia are ‘sportswashing’ the nation’s human rights issuesCredit: AFP or licensors

    Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian motorsport federation, hopes he can change people’s minds.
    He said: “I don’t blame them, when you don’t know a country, and when you have a certain image of a country.
    “I remember myself when my parents used to tell me we’re going to go to the US, especially to New York, I was frightened.
    “I would think that I’m going to walk in the street and somebody will come and shoot me, because I’d never been there.

    “I know why they’re not excited about it, because of a lot of issues with the human rights, and because they’ve never been to Saudi.
    “That’s why, now for us opening up, and hopefully with people coming in Saudi Arabia, seeing the country, and then going back and reporting what they saw, this will maybe make people change their mind.
    “This happened to us with Dakar, we had a lot of people…about 3,000 participants and drivers came.
    “Most of them, they had the same impression, and they were not happy.”

    Prince Khalid added: “Even with Formula E, like BMW and other teams, they said, they didn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia.
    “But after they came to Saudi Arabia, and after they saw us and met us, they changed their perspective about Saudi Arabia.
    “Part of the vision and part of opening up our country, we would like people to come and see who we really are. We don’t have anything to hide.
    “If we wanted to sportswash our image or something, then we will close our country because we will not let you come and see and meet with our people.”
    Amnesty International were critical that F1 had added the GP to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.
    Prince Khalid said the matter had been discussed with F1 bosses but also stressed that the country does have a different culture.
    He added: “We definitely had a conversation on that and I know, maybe this is a thing that a lot of people talk about with Saudi Arabia, but we are not like the other countries.
    “We know that we are different. We have our culture. There are things that people can do in other places that they can’t do here.
    “But we respect our differences, and we are opening our country to anyone.
    “We don’t have any discriminations, so everybody can come. If you’re a man or a woman, there is no segregation.
    “Sport brings people together and unites them. So that’s why we are hosting these events.”

    Formula One announce Saudi Arabia Grand Prix More