Turki al-Sheikh

An extensive investigation published by The Athletic/New York Times gathered testimony alleging that people who criticised Alalshikh on social media had been arrested, detained or ill-treated, some referring to a prison section nicknamed "Tutu Wing" after his nickname. The investigation also described allegations of enforced disappearance and pressure linked to his institutional power.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Under Alalshikh and Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia financed a series of major fights and reshaped the balance of power in professional boxing. The sums involved and his personal role in selecting and negotiating bouts prompted accusations of sportswashing and excessive concentration of economic influence over the sport.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Alalshikh acquired the historic magazine The Ring in 2024, while already being one of the principal financiers and organisers of world boxing. This concentration of promotion, financing and media raised questions about editorial independence. Critics also condemned refusal of accreditation to certain journalists who had published unfavourable articles about Riyadh Season or his activities.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable

Attribution

Directly implicated

The creation of Zuffa Boxing by TKO with Sela and Alalshikh was accompanied by US debate over reform of the Muhammad Ali Act. Promoters and boxer advocates maintained that the model could weaken protections against conflicts of interest between promoters, managers and ranking bodies. In February 2026, the project also became involved in a major commercial dispute with Queensberry/Frank Warren, which threatened or brought actions invoking, among other things, contractual obligations and confidential information.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Associate

In 2018, media outlets and freedom of expression organisations reported that Egyptian singer Amal Maher had filed a police complaint accusing Turki Alalshikh of assaulting her. The case fuelled lasting controversy, subsequently intensified by speculation about pressure and the singer's temporary withdrawal from public performance.

Attribution

Directly implicated

After serving as honorary president and major donor to Al-Ahly, Turki Alalshikh entered a prolonged public conflict with the club's management and supporters while simultaneously investing in Pyramids FC. The exchanges concerned use of his donations, possible repayment and financial allegations. Egyptian prosecutors examined allegations concerning the funds, and sources report no finding of embezzlement against Al-Ahly in the central dispute.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After Saudi prosecutors announced that Saud al-Qahtani would not be prosecuted in the Saudi trial concerning Jamal Khashoggi's murder, Alalshikh shared or promoted a text/song celebrating al-Qahtani's "innocence". The gesture was interpreted as an effort to publicly rehabilitate a former close associate of the leadership whom several governments and international investigations had associated with the operation surrounding Khashoggi.

State of the evidence

Documented

Legal status — source text

Not applicable