Khashoggi killing downplayed

BENGALURU: Former world No 1 Greg Norman downplayed the 2018 killing of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi as he outlined plans for the LIV Golf Invitational series, saying: ‘‘We’ve all made mistakes.’’ The Australian is fronting the $US255 million competition, a breakaway circuit funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which will feature eight events and starts at Centurion Club near London on June 9. Khashoggi was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, with a US report last year saying that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved the operation to kill or capture the Washington Post journalist. The Saudi government has denied any involvement by the crown prince. ‘‘Everybody has owned up to it, right? It has been spoken about, from what I’ve read, going on what you guys reported,’’ Norman told reporters yesterday. ‘‘Take ownership, no matter what it is. Look, we’ve all made mistakes and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward. ‘‘This whole thing about Saudi Arabia and Khashoggi and human rights, talk about it, but also talk about the good the country is doing to change its culture,’’ Norman added. Later asked about Saudi Arabia's discrimination against the LGBTQ community, Norman replied: ``I'm not sure whether I even have any gay friends, to be honest with you.'' — Reuters