Archive - The Beautiful Shame

Racism in Saudi Football: an Underestimated Issue

The racist episode involving Brazilian player Malcom during the Club World Club allows us to discuss the problem of ethnic and color-based…

Jul 18 •

June 2025

Without Saudi Arabia's Money, the Club World Cup Would Have Been a Failure

Saudi authorities indirectly financed the lavish prize pool - and more - convincing many teams to take part.

Jun 25 •

Simone Inzaghi could be the new Cristiano Ronaldo

The Italian manager, European vice-champion with Inter, can take the place of the Portuguese forward as the main star of Saudi football.

Jun 6 •

May 2025

Those Who Remain: the families of the migrant workers killed in Saudi Arabia

Many migrant workers are dying in Saudi construction sites, but what happens to their families back home?

May 23 •

April 2025

Al-Diriyah, the True Saudi Home is the New Rising Football Club in the Gulf Country

Al-Diriyah just won the Saudi third tier, and has an ambitious sports project, fueled by PIF.

Apr 18 •

Death in Arabia

How many people have already died in Saudi Arabia's construction sites?

Apr 3 •

March 2025

Women Sports without Women's Rights

Saudi Arabia is promoting women sports - especially football - in recent years. But still there is no real improvement on women's rights in the society.

Mar 8 •

February 2025

PIF-DAZN Deal: A New Chapter in the Streaming War

Saudi Arabia investment fund launched a partnership with the streaming platform DAZN, competing again with Qatari beIN Sports.

Feb 18 •

Walk The Line: NEOM SC, the New Frontier of Saudi Football-Politics

Neom SC in an emerging powerhouse in Saudi football, and it is the front line of a futuristic project called The Line. Under which hide atrocious…

Feb 12 •

January 2025

How Saudi Arabia is Conquering Spanish Football

Since 2019 Spanish football has become more and more connected with Saudi Arabia, and it is not just because of the Supercopa de España.

Jan 25 •

Italy Goes Saudi: the Story of the Italian Supercup in Riyadh

On January 2nd Saudi Arabia will host the 37th edition of the Italian Supercup: it will be the 5th time in the country. Serie A was the first major…

Jan 1 •

December 2024

Why We Should Stop Using the Word "Sportwashing"

"Sportwashing" has become a popular word to describe Gulf state interests in global football, but it presents some issues: journalists may be careful…

Dec 25, 2024 •

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