Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has been accused of sportswashing after appearing to support Tanzania's controversial government. Ferdinand, 47, was reportedly hosted on a visit to the country by culture and sports minister Paul Makonda, whom the US government sanctioned in 2020 for 'gross violations of human rights'.
Accusations Against Makonda
Among the accusations levelled at Makonda, he has reportedly launched anti-gay crackdowns in the past, including a surveillance squad dedicated to hunting down gay people in Tanzania. Makonda's wife was also banned by the US government. Speaking about his actions, US authorities said: 'He has been implicated in oppression of the political opposition, crackdowns on freedom of expression and association, and the targeting of marginalised individuals.'
Ferdinand's Remarks
At a reception following his arrival in the country, which generated much fanfare and saw the former United defender draped in a Tanzanian flag, Ferdinand referred to Makonda as 'my good friend Paul'. He said: 'Tanzania are making strides to become a global powerhouse of football and they need the support. It's a massive achievement to be part of that (Afcon) and to inspire the next generation. You have to come, you have to meet people. My good friend Paul here, we have been speaking on the (phone), it has not just happened overnight, and we have to prepare a plan for when I'm here to see things and experience things and then start cooking up some good ideas.'
Context of the Visit
His visit to the country was part of Tanzania's attempts to use the profile of former Premier League stars ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by them, Kenya, and Uganda. Meanwhile, Tanzania's government has previously been accused of significant human rights abuses when hundreds of protesters were killed last year in the aftermath of the general election. President Samia Suluhu Hassan was 're-elected' with 98 per cent of the vote, a result that opposition parties described as a 'mockery' of democracy after her main challengers were excluded. Hassan had insisted the election was fair and transparent and accused foreigners of inciting the violence as part of attempts to overthrow her. However, the African Union and the southern Africa bloc SADC claimed the election had fallen short of democratic standards. A request to visit from the European Union to investigate allegations of election abuses and repression was also denied by the government.
Amnesty International's Reaction
Amnesty International UK's director of campaigns, Felix Jakens, told The Times: 'Amnesty International has been closely monitoring a deeply troubling human rights situation in Tanzania, where security forces used unlawful lethal force against protesters in late 2025, killing and injuring hundreds. Against that backdrop, Rio Ferdinand should be speaking up against the rights violations happening there, not lending his profile in support of the government. His host, minister Paul Makonda, was sanctioned by the US government for gross human rights violations - and yet Ferdinand's presence risks rehabilitating Tanzania's international image while those responsible for recent abuses face no accountability. Celebrity visits don't happen in a vacuum - they send a message - and this has all the hallmarks of sportswashing. We urge Ferdinand to speak out about these abuses and to use his platform responsibly.'
Ferdinand's Representative Response
When contacted for comment by The Times, Ferdinand's representative insisted he was unaware if his client was being paid, and said that he was invited by Hassan rather than Makonda. The representative also claimed Ferdinand was there to help support African football development ahead of next year's tournament. Ferdinand was in the country for three days and was said to visit the capital city Dodoma via train with Makonda, while he also took a trip to the Tanzanian parliament and the Serengeti National Park. Daily Mail Sport contacted Ferdinand's representative for comment.
