Ferdinand accused of ‘sportswashing' after visiting Tanzania
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 22.05.26. | 12:10
Former United's defender was criticized by Amnesty International UK
What was set to be a visit in order to “help support African football development ahead of next year's tournament” (at least on paper) ended as a big scandal and a ‘sportswashing’ accusation. And in the middle of it is Rio Ferdinand. Former Manchester United defender is among a huge number of former Red Devils’ players who decided to stay in the spotlight after the end of a sporting career. He is, just like Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes (among others) a TV pundit/podcast host/promoter and his latest adventure was in Tanzania. This African country is co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Kenya and Uganda and his visit lasted for three days and he 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.
Akiambatana na Waziri wa Habari, Utamaduni, Sanaa na Michezo wa Tanzania Paul Makonda, nahodha wa zamani wa Manchester United na timu ya taifa ya Uingereza, Rio Ferdinand amepata fursa ya kutembelea Bunge la Tanzania.
— TRT Afrika Swahili (@trtafrikaSW) May 20, 2026
Gwiji huyo wa zamani wa Manchester United yupo nchini… pic.twitter.com/eOyb4kd3Hj
And his association with culture and sports minister Paul Makonda, who the US government sanctioned in 2020 for 'gross violations of human rights' got him in trouble. Among the accusations leveled at Makonda, he has reportedly launched anti-gay crackdowns in the past, including a surveillance squad dedicated to hunting down gay people in Tanzania. According to the unnamed USA government official, he has been ‘implicated in oppression of the political opposition, crackdowns on freedom of expression and association, and the targeting of marginalized individuals'. Even Makonda’s wife is under sanction but Ferdinand came to the country and called Makonda ‘a friend’.
“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” said Ferdinand.
Nahodha wa zamani wa Timu ya Taifa ya Uingereza na Klabu ya Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, akiwa ndani ya balloon katika Hifadhi ya Serengeti, ambapo hii leo ametembelea hifadhi hiyo na ameshuhudia maajabu ya uhamaji wa nyumbu ndani ya hifadhi ukiwa ni muendelezo wa ziara yake… pic.twitter.com/VhWk8ErEf6
— millardayo (@millardayo) May 21, 2026
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 president Samia Suluhu Hassan rather than Makonda. But international human rights organizations, led by Amnesty International UK criticized former United’s defender for promoting their government instead of talking about human rights violations.