Journalist Denied Entry to Joshua-Dubois Fight

Oliver Brown, a journalist for The Telegraph, was barred from attending the Anthony Joshua-Daniel Dubois boxing match at Wembley Stadium after penning a critical article about Saudi Arabia's sponsorship of the event, labeling it an 'unashamed sportswashing exercise'. Despite expressing a desire to attend the fight, Brown was denied entry upon arrival, with indications that the decision was linked to his critical views. The Football Association (FA), which owns Wembley, stated that it had no prior knowledge of Brown's denial, and it plans to implement measures to protect press freedom in future events. Promoters maintain they have the final say in accreditation matters, but former FA chairman David Bernstein criticized the incident as a violation of press freedom and highlighted the growing influence of Saudi Arabia in British sports. The fight, which was part of the 'Riyadh Season', featured Saudi national elements, including the anthem and lighting, emphasizing the kingdom's role in the event. The situation has raised concerns about the implications of state influence on journalistic independence in sports.