Saudi Pro League chief Michael Emenalo was caught bemoaning how he is always asked about ‘sports-f***ing-washing’ on a hot mic after being interviewed by a Swedish documentary crew.  

The former Chelsea technical director was appointed to the role of director of football – inaugurating the position – in July 2023, and helped mastermind the league’s European top-flight smash-and-grab in the transfer market during last year’s summer window. 

In December, Emenalo hinted that there would be more big money moves to grow the league in upcoming windows as the Kingdom looks to establish itself as a footballing powerhouse. 

But in the seven months since the Saudi Pro League’s audacious shopping spree, speculation has been rife over whether players are starting to regret their lucrative moves in the wake of small crowd sizes, high playing temperatures, and the cultural adjustment to life in Saudi Arabia for players’ families. 

Those who are involved with Saudi’s footballing project have also been the subject of allegations of sportswashing, and questions over whether they have played a role in helping launder the Gulf state’s dubious human rights record. 

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo was caught complaining on a hot mic

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo was caught complaining on a hot mic

Saudi Pro League director of football Michael Emenalo was caught complaining on a hot mic

After the conclusion of his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded

After the conclusion of his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded

After the conclusion of his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded

After the conclusion of his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded

After the conclusion of his interview, the former Chelsea technical director was unaware he was still being recorded as he left the set

Earlier Emenalo had given a much more camera-ready response to questions over criticism of the Kingdom's league

Earlier Emenalo had given a much more camera-ready response to questions over criticism of the Kingdom's league

Earlier Emenalo had given a much more camera-ready response to questions over criticism of the Kingdom’s league

It was on this topic that Emenalo found himself particularly worked up about after being interviewed by Swedish broadcaster STV

‘Always about sportswashing, sports-f***ing-washing,’ Emenalo was recorded saying after the interview concluded, following a question about whether foreign players were regretting their decision to move to the league. 

Emenalo said on camera that it was ‘easy to spread unnecessary rumours’.  

‘And they’ve heard rumours that the players regret,’ he added on the hot mic, before trailing off. 

The former Nigeria international was later caught up with by a member of the production team who came to let him know he still had his microphone on. 

Emenalo asked ‘did they hear my insults?’, but was told ‘no’ by the member of staff. 

Earlier in the interview, the 58-year-old had given a much more formal answer when asked about how he views criticism of the league and its players. 

‘My job is to come in and help with the wonderful ambitious project, and to create a very competitive and entertaining league (for) the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,’ Emenalo had responded. 

‘This is the mandate that I have and this is where my focus is.’ 

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Former Manchester City footballer Aymeric Laporte was the latest Saudi recruit to voice a rumbling discontent over the reality of life in the Kingdom last week, when he claimed that clubs ‘hadn’t made it easy for their new transplants.

‘In fact, there are many players who are dissatisfied, but hey – we are working on it every day, negotiating so to speak, and seeing if it improves a little because this is something new for them too, having European players who already have a long career,’ Laporte said. 

Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson spent just six months at former club Al-Ettifaq after his blockbuster summer move after rumours of disenchantment and speculation that the player and his family had failed to settle. 

The England midfielder joined Ajax on a two-and-a-half year deal last week and will attempt to rescue the Dutch club’s imperilled Eredivisie standings after a troubled start to the season.  

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