Saudi Arabia has spent at least $1.5bn on 'sportswashing', report reveals

Exclusive: analysis finds nation has spent big on high-profile global sporting events in a bid to bolster its reputation

Saudi Arabia has spent at least $1.5bn on high-profile international sporting events in a bid to bolster its reputation, a new report reveals.

The oil-rich nation has invested millions across the sporting world, the report by the human rights organisation Grant Liberty says, from chess championships to golf, tennis and $60m alone on the Saudi Cup, the world's richest horse-racing event with prize money of $20m.