Sports & Societies
15 MARCH 2021
Pass Go(dolphin) and Drop £34M
Fakhriya M. Suleiman, MA Global Media and Postnational Communication
On 16 February the BBC broke the news with its update on Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum. Two years ago a video from the FreeLatifa YouTube channel was published. In the video, Sheikha Latifa described her plans to flee the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She said it was a matter of life and death given ‘all her father cares about is his reputation. He will kill people to protect his own reputation’. Latifa’s father is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - ruler of the Emirate of Dubai. In the latest blow to Sheikh Al Maktoum’s pristine image, BBC Panorama released new footage showing a pale and distraught Princess Latifa talking about her ordeal of being held ‘hostage’ in a ‘villa converted into a jail’. She also said that she was unsure whether she would ‘survive this’ but she ‘just wants to be free’. Following these revelations, the United Nations (UN) human rights office demanded ‘proof of life’ from the UAE. Elizabeth Throssell, a spokeswoman for the UN rights office said that in light of the ‘disturbing video evidence that emerged […] We requested more information and clarification about Sheikha Latifa's current situation.’ Thereafter, on behalf of Latifa’s family the UAE Embassy in London issued a statement. It said that the latest BBC report was ‘certainly not reflective of the actual position.
Her family has confirmed that Her Highness is being cared for at home, supported by her family and medical professionals.’ Sheikh Al Maktoum commented that he had to act in his daughter’s ‘best interest.’ The BBC describes him as being ‘synonymous’ with all things equestrian. But what does this scandal mean for the sport of horse riding and what would happen should he face criminal charges? The Sheikh is the founder of Godolphin - ‘the world’s largest horse racing stable.’ Godolphin ‘owns some of the finest, worldclass Thoroughbred breeding and training facilities with locations in the United Kingdom, France, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.’ Newmarket - 65 miles north of London is where Godolphin and the Sheikh’s Dalham Hall breeding operation are based in the UK. According to the BBC, ‘many jobs are thought to depend on Sheikh Mohammed's investment, especially in Newmarket.’ In 2017, the horse racing and breeding industry was found to have grown the Newmarket economy by £34M. Following the 2017 report on the economic impact of the equestrian industry on Newmarket, William Gittus, Chairman of the Newmarket Horsemen’s Group, had said the findings ‘underline the importance of protecting the industry, not just what we have at present but also the need to allow for potential further growth and expansion of the town’s largest economic contributor.’ The British Horse Racing Authority (which runs the UK industry), The Jockey Club - known for hosting such events as The Derby and The Cheltenham Festival, and
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, founder of Godolphin, pictured with his son Sheikh Hamdan bin Al Maktoum. (Credit: via Godolphin)
Godolphin have been noticeably quiet since the BBC’s revelation. As part of the BHA’s guidelines for ownership of a race horse, they state that license to do so may be relinquished where an individual has been convicted of a criminal offence either in the UK or a foreign jurisdiction. ‘Particular consideration’, the guidelines say, ‘will be given to offences […] relating to violence and health and safety.’ When asked whether the government would consider freezing assets or imposing a travel ban upon Sheikh Al Maktoum, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had said ‘convincibly, if there’s evidence […] and facts’, Princess Latifa’s case could constitute torture.
He went on, however, to explain ‘strict legal thresholds [mean…] we can[not] willy-nilly just slap sanctions on individuals.’ The BBC paints a bleak picture of Britain's ability and willingness to distance itself from the Sheikh. In an article, they cited that due to the pandemic the UK’s horse racing industry could potentially lose more than £60m, and that severing ties with the Sheikh would be a minefield - the Emirates airline has a huge stake in British football. As the spotlight becomes more and more glaring, the horse racing industry will soon be forced to answer questions surrounding their now controversially close ties with the Emirati Sheikh.
The Dominoes of Sports and Sanity Hasna Choudhury, BSc Economics
On Monday 22 February, Boris Johnson announced his plans to gradually ease lockdown restrictions in England. Cases have steadily declined as millions of vaccines have been administered to the most vulnerable groups. In his speech, the Prime Minister confirmed his expectations of up to 10,000 spectators being allowed inside stadiums by 17 May – just in time for the final Premier League weekend. Physical exercise is frequently promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle and its benefits are well established. Amidst the pandemic however, policymakers across the globe had several difficult decisions to make, restrictions on physical activity chief among them. The evidence linking physical activity with enhanced mental wellbeing is extensive, proving effective against depression and anxiety in children and adults alike. According to the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK, mental health problems account for the largest source of disability in the country – some 23%. However, endorphins – the feel-good chemicals released during exercise – do not discriminate. Studies show participating in regular physical activity can also help to boost self-esteem and increase quality of sleep.
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Research exploring the perceived benefits of watching football has found it to be positively linked with stress relief and supporting good parent-child relationships. Among fellow supporters, it fosters a sense of comradery, with both players and fans often heard speaking in first-person pronouns in reference to their teams. Cast your mind back to the summer of 2018: amidst scorching temperatures, millions of Brits packed into pubs and parks to watch England’s football club compete for the World Cup. Following a Cup drought spanning over half a century, Gareth Southgate’s youthful squad revived hopes in sporting spirits. Long after full-time whistles were blown, electric chants of ‘It’s coming home’ could be heard buzzing out of public squares and into private gardens. England made it so far as the semi-finals, eventually coming fourth after a crushing 2-1 defeat to Croatia. However, the despair that followed the knockout unified the nation. Even those who did not consider themselves football fanatics religiously tuned in on match days, believing England’s dreams of winning the Cup was well within grasp. Few sporting events have united the country since. Last year, fans were left frustrated after Premier League games were suspended mid-season due to the coronavirus outbreak. The 2020 Olympics and Euro 2020 were similarly
postponed. But fans were not the only ones missing out. Unbeknownst to what was to come, the Amazon Prime Video documentary All or Nothing: Tottenham Hotspurs chronicled the 2019-20 season, showcasing behind-thescenes footage of the North London club. As events unfolded, Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, was seen to be visibly concerned about the impact of empty stadiums on team performance and the club’s financial accounts. Since then, major sporting events across the globe have largely continued to take place behind closed doors, and its impact has been felt both financially and on a personal level. The latest government guidelines have undoubtedly gratified fans and sportsmen alike. Britain is already set to host the semi-final and finals of the Euro 2020 at the iconic Wembley stadium. Though the prospect of a 90,000-capacity crowd remains unlikely, this is otherwise good news for the economy and its people. With the UK leading its European counterparts in the rollout of vaccines, there is a real possibility of the tournament being hosted on British soil altogether. As plans continue to unfold, this is likely the first of many live sporting events to look forward to in the year to come. And for the British people, it may be coming home indeed – in more ways than one.
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