Khashoggi fiancee ‘so hurt’ by Norman
The fiancee of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi has described her hurt at Greg Norman saying “we’ve all made mistakes” in relation to the Saudi-approved murder of her partner.
The Australian had made the comment while fielding questions on the Kingdom’s human rights record as he fronted the UK launch of the $255million (£209million) rebel LIV Golf Invitational Series that starts next month in St Albans.
When asked if Norman believed that Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, had “owned up to” the dissident’s murder, the two-time major-winner replied: “From what I heard and what you guys reported. Look, we’ve all made mistakes and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward.”
Hatice Cengiz, who had been due to marry Khashoggi months after his killing in 2018, expressed her dismay and anger. “It is so hurtful when Jamal’s brutal killing is brushed off as a ‘mistake’ and that we should just move on,” she said through lawyer Rodney Dixon QC.
“Would you say that if it was your loved one? How can we go forward when those who ordered the murder are still unpunished, and continue to try to buy back their legitimacy? We should not fall for
their wealth and lies, and lose our morals and common humanity. We should all be insisting on the truth and justice.”
A declassified US intelligence report in February 2021 concluded that Bin Salman – known as MBS – was complicit in the 59-year-old’s execution in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, an allegation he denies.
MBS is chairman of the Public Investment Fund, which has an estimated £500billion in assets and has provided finance for sporting events including Formula One, boxing and
football, recently taking an 80 per cent stake in Newcastle United.
When Norman, 67, was asked if he genuinely thought that Khashoggi’s murder and dismemberment was “just a mistake”, he said: “I’m not going down this road, guys. Let’s just stay focused on the golf.”
The damage had already been done, with outrage spreading across the globe. Karrie Webb, Australia’s all-time leading major winner with seven, had been inspired in her career by Norman and has been pictured with him many times. “The little girl in me just died well and truly,” Webb, 47, tweeted, linking to a report about Norman’s comment. “Has anyone’s childhood hero disappointed them as much as I am now?”
LIV tried to row back with a statement. “The killing of Jamal Khashoggi was reprehensible,” it read. “Everyone agrees about that, including Greg and he has said as such previously on many occasions. Greg also knows that golf is a force for good around the world. That is why he is so excited about LIV.”
Felix Jakens, Amnesty International’s UK head of campaigns, said: “The LIV Golf Invitational Series is yet one more event in a series of sportswashing exercises that the Saudi authorities are using to clean its blood-soaked image.”
Norman maintains he does not “answer to MBS” and that LIV Golf is “independent”. Yet that appears contradictory to his announcement that he has “secured an extra $2billion” in an effort to create a 14-event global league by 2024.
The PGA Tour has refused to grant waivers to players and it is understood the DP World Tour, formerly the European Tour, will soon do the same. That means the likes of Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter will be breaking Tour rules if they appear in the 48-man, $25million opener at Centurion. Cue sanctions, cue legal action.
“We have our players’ backs,” Norman declared. But how many will continue to have his back after the outrage he has sparked.