logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
48m 2s

Football in the House of Saud

Crooked Media
About this episode

Roger Bennet and Tommy Vietor are back for Season 2 of World Corrupt! And this time, Rog and Tommy are diving into how Saudi Arabia, the biggest exporter of oil in the world and a nation in the news for human rights abuses, became the latest geopolitical power player sweeping global soccer. The Saudis have poured billions of dollars into the world’s most popular sport, including signing superstar players like Cristiano Ronaldo to eye-popping contracts. But the crown jewel in the Saudi investment portfolio? That would be the take over of one of England’s most historic football clubs, Newcastle United. A team with a rich history from an impoverished corner of the country, Newcastle had fallen upon hard times…and they welcomed the Saudis with open arms. But at what cost? Listen to the first episode of this four part series to find out.

Up next
Apr 2024
Can Saudi Money Whitewash a Murder?
In the final episode of this four-part series, Rog and Tommy trace the massive flow of Saudi money into Hollywood, Silicon Valley and Wall Street, and how the biggest venture capitalists and A-list celebrities seem to no longer care about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. They ... Show More
59m 51s
Mar 2024
Saudi Arabia: The New Home of Global Football
In episode three of this four part series, Rog and Tommy explore the rise of Saudi Arabia’s domestic football league and why superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are flocking there. iNews’s chief football writer Daniel Storey joins the show to tell the tale of one of thos ... Show More
59m 20s
Mar 2024
Saudi Arabia’s Despotic Ruler
Roger Bennett and Tommy Vietor take a look at the history of Saudi Arabia, US-Saudi relations, and the Kingdom’s path to becoming a geopolitical force. They trace the unlikely rise of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman from a lowly place in the royal hierarchy to de facto leader of ... Show More
49m 6s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
Mohammed bin Salman: The most powerful man in football?
Mohammed bin Salman may be the most influential person in global football, even though he doesn’t seem to like the game. In 2021, the Saudi millennial crown prince became the ultimate owner of Newcastle United, when the Premier League club was bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign w ... Show More
47m 25s
Mar 2024
World Corrupt: Episode 3 - Saudi Arabia: The New Home of Global Football
In episode three of this four part series, Rog and Tommy explore the rise of Saudi Arabia’s domestic football league and why superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are flocking there. iNews’s chief football writer Daniel Storey joins the show to tell the tale of one of thos ... Show More
59m 20s
Dec 2024
Saudi Arabia Awarded 2034 FIFA World Cup
It's been confirmed the FIFA World Cup will be returning to the Middle East in 10 years' time after FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting rights to the 2034 tournament. Securing football’s most high-profile tournament is just the latest example of the Kingdom’s growing influence ... Show More
1h 1m
Dec 2024
Saudi Arabia Officially Gets the World Cup: World Corrupt Season 2 Re-Release
With this week's news that FIFA has officially awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, we are re-releasing the first episode of World Corrupt Season 2, our four-part series that examines Saudi Arabia's investment and involvement in football. All four episodes are available he ... Show More
44m 14s
Dec 2024
How did Saudi Arabia land the 2034 World Cup?
Saudi Arabia has been awarded the men's 2034 World Cup.       It will be the crowning event in its sport spending spree, having already reportedly invested £5bn since 2021, as it tries to diversify away from oil.     Niall Paterson is joined by Sky News' Rob Harris and Middle Eas ... Show More
15m 12s
Oct 2021
Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud takes over Newcastle United | Premier League
The de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud buys Newcastle United Football Club from Mike Ashley via P.I.F investment vehicle. The Public Investment Fund is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. It is among the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world w ... Show More
3m 38s
Dec 2024
How FIFA Rigged Its Process for Saudi Arabia to Host the 2034 World Cup
Today's podcast breaks down how FIFA rigged its process for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 World Cup of men's soccer. I look at the strategic moves FIFA made to set up Saudi Arabia as the only viable 2034 bidder, how Saudi Arabia financially influenced FIFA over the past few years ... Show More
10m 17s
Oct 2024
Michael Emenalo exclusive: Saudi masterplan, Osimhen ‘snub’ & Salah truth
John Obi Mikel and Chris McHardy are in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for an exclusive, in-depth interview with Chelsea’s former Technical Director Michael Emenalo. In this wide-ranging conversation, Emenalo gives fascinating insight into his new role as Director of Football for the Saudi ... Show More
1h 44m
Aug 2024
Dawri | S1 E40 | Matt Monaghan, Football Journalist
Dawri is a Saudi football podcast by Arab News. The domestic and continental seasons are over across the region and many countries around the world. Welcome to the Episode 40 of Dawri and the first of the 2024-25 season. Joining host Peter Redding and Arab News Sports editor Ali ... Show More
28m 43s
May 19
84. 🇸🇦 ⚽ The Saudi Women’s Football Episode with the Legendary Monika Staab
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode, host Dawn Barnable is joined by Monika Staab, a true pioneer in women’s football, to discuss the incredible journey of developing women’s football in Saudi Arabia. Recorded late last year, Monik ... Show More
48m 10s