Saudi Arabia to build £400bn ‘western’ city as they look to host more sporting events after Anthony Joshua vs Ruiz Jr 2

SAUDI ARABIA plan to build a £400billion cross-border city state to become one of the planet’s leading destinations for sporting events.

And it will be governed by “western law” – instead of Islamic – to help attract hordes of fans to the Middle East in the future.

3

3

The claim the new city will near the Red Sea in the north west will be called Neam and will form part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030.

And its creation will help them to land a host of future sporting events after this weekend’s £76m boxing heavyweight showdown between Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua.

The project was first launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman two years ago and the government are believed to have recruited public affairs experts to advise on it.

Neom will operate with different laws for workers and women’s rights and give visitors freedom to drink alcohol, something denied to those at the boxing on Saturday.

Saudi has come under heavy criticism for allegedly attempting to “sports-wash” their reputation from human rights organisations such as Amnesty International.

RTVE in Spain is refusing to broadcast the inaugural edition of the rebooted Spanish Super Cup next month, which has been switched to Jeddah.

Amnesty say Joshua versus Ruiz Jr is taking place despite increased oppression of locals in a country that has executed 146 people this year.

LATEST SPORT NEWS

ITALIAN JOB

Fans convinced Jake Paul and Tommy Fury set for rematch after eagle-eyed spot

SWITCHING OFF

Cristiano Ronaldo 'rolled his eyes' whenever Man Utd team-mate spoke

PREM LATEST

Jota LEVELS for Liverpool, James scores in injury time, Man City DRAW

Forest 1 Liverpool 1

Slot's super-subs combine 22 SECONDS after coming on to level

Despite that, the Saudi government is refusing to relent in their ambitious programme for staging sporting events.

And it is part of a plan to reduce the nation’s dependency on oil and increase tourism by ten per cent within the next decade.

There will be a £15m Saudi Cup horse race next year while Tour de France organisers ASO are taking a five-stage cycling tour there.

And the owners of Formula One, Liberty Media, have been holding discussions about taking a race there.

Neom’s first stage is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

3