SPORTSWASHING, apparently, has become a trendy word. It has been applied to the practice adopted by dubious regimes, individuals or corporates in buying credibility through investing in or sponsoring big-time sport. In doing so, they attempt to change public perception or distract people from some of their less acceptable activities. Furthermore, by pouring money into football, they also look to leverage the financial power and influence of the world’s most popular pastime. Human Rights Watch describes sportwashing as follows: “Egregious human rights abusers using sports to scrub their awful human rights abuses.” We’re caught up in a massive web of sportswashing at present and questions have to be asked as to the game’s moral code. Football clubs go to great lengths – as do…