Amnesty demands more action on ‘sportswashing’ ahead of Chelsea-Newcastle clash

Newcastle were taken over by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in October

Chelsea and Newcastle will clash under a cloud on Sunday (Adrian Dennis/PA)

Amnesty International has called on the football authorities to do more to combat ‘sportswashing’ as Chelsea prepare to face Saudi-bankrolled Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

It will mark the Blues’ first home match since sanctions were imposed upon owner Roman Abramovich for his links with Russian president Vladimir Putin.