Players accused of 9-11 betrayal
THE American defectors to golf’s Saudi-backed breakaway tour have been accused of ‘betraying’ the victims of the 9/11 terror atrocity in a scathing letter from a prominent support group.
The furious message was sent to representatives of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Kevin Na, saying they are ‘complicit’ in the ‘whitewashing’ of Saudi Arabia’s reputation by cashing in with the LIV Invitational Series.
Citing Saudi Arabia’s prominent role in the terror attack, Terry Strada, the chair of 9/11 Families United, whose husband died in the attack, wrote: ‘Whether it was the appeal of millions of dollars of hard cash, or just the opportunity to prosecute your professional grievances with the PGA, you
have sold us out. This is a betrayal not only of us, but of all your countrymen.
‘Our community wishes to express our outrage at your partnership with LIV Golf and remind you of the responsibility that your new business partner, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shoulders for providing the financial support and logistical support that enabled the terrorists to attack our nation and kill our loved ones...
‘It is the Kingdom that has spent 20 years in denial: lying about their activities, and cowardly dodging the responsibility they bear. Yet these are your partners, and much to our disappointment, you appear pleased to be in business with them...
‘When you partner with the Saudis, you become complicit with their whitewash, and help give them the reputational cover they so desperately crave...
‘Please, do not insult our loved ones’ memories... You are all Americans, keenly aware of the death and destruction of September 11.’