In the past year, several world stars have gone to the Saudi league, for example the big star Cristiano Ronaldo and the Brazilian Neymar.

The country's move has been criticized for sportswashing, and several European football clubs and managers have said they think Saudi Arabia, with its unlimited wealth, is ruining the transfer market.

"Leads to greater openness"

But two of Sweden's top football leaders, Swedish Football Association chairman Fredrik Reinfeldt and Uefa first vice-chairman Karl-Erik Nilsson take a more positive stance towards the Saudi investment.

- The opposite would be worse.

If the country's idea was to keep the outside world out and close itself off even more, I would think that would be a more dangerous and dark development, says Reinfeldt.

"Want to receive positive reporting"

Do you see anything negative about what is happening?

- You mentioned the word sportswashing, and it is perfectly relevant and something that you are actually quite open about, that you want international events - even outside of sports.

- The purpose can of course be that you want to get positive reporting, a positive mention.

And I think it can work to some extent.

Nilsson: "An upside"

Uefa's Karl Erik-Nilsson believes that European football can benefit to some extent from the Saudi investment.

- If older players who are in the final phase of their careers who have been in the squads of big clubs leave for a new player, then places are opened up for the younger European talents.

Watch the documentary "Saudi Arabia - the new Mecca of football" on SVT Play.

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Watch the clip with Swedish Jacob Rinne about his choice to play football in Saudi Arabia.

Photo: Kalle Segerbäck/SVT