The Times called Sunday's game "the ethics derby". On one side was Chelsea, owned by Roman Abramovich; on the other was Newcastle United, owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fundAn investment fund that operates on behalf of the state. PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi. PIF. Abramovich was sanctioned as a "pro-Kremlin oligarch" who enjoyed a "close relationship" with Putin. Saudi Arabia had just executed 81 people in a day.

For some, the horror of Putin's invasion of Ukraine and Saudi Arabia's appalling human rights record made no difference.

Interviewed afterwards, Newcastle's manager refused to comment on a regime locked in a bloody conflict in Yemen and accused of war crimes.

 "I'm well aware of what's going on around the globe," said Eddie Howe, "but my focus is on trying to produce a team to win football matches".

Chelsea and Newcastle are not the only ones tarnished by their political ties. Everton, Manchester United and UEFA accepted sponsorships from major Russian companies - although they have now dropped them. FIFA allowed Russia to host the 2018 World Cup despite its invasion of Crimea in 2014.

"When sport sells its soul, it leads to the exploitation of the most powerful cultural asset on the planet," writes Ben Peppi in The Daily Mail. Dictatorial regimes everywhere are embracing sportswashingWhen a country uses international sporting events to improve their reputation, often as a cover for human rights abuses. because it works. The juntaA government that has taken control by force. It derives from a Spanish word meaning "council". in Myanmar has ordered the country's richest men to create its own Premier League. China's Xi Jinping has made hosting and winning the World Cup a national priority.

"As long as people are talking about the leaders of Saudi Arabia and Abu DhabiThe capital city of the United Arab Emirates - it is also the name of one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. as the owners of football clubs," argues Jonathan Wilson, "they are not talking about human rights abuses or the bombing of Yemen. They are creating an alternative narrative."

The owners win the loyalty of fans who become "propaganda foot soldiers" on social media and are willing to attack journalists who criticise them.

Some feel it is unfair to criticise sports bodies when many others have profited from dealing with terrible regimes. Britain does £11bn of trade with Saudi Arabia each year.

But for others, the exposure of Abramovich and the bid for Chelsea from a Saudi media group is a turning point. "It's a massive wake-up call," said Gary NevilleOne of the most decorated English footballers of all time, with 20 trophies including eight Premier League titles. He spent his whole career at Manchester United.. "There was a time two or three years ago when we tried to stay away from these massive social and societal issues... We can't anymore."

Yes: It is appalling that objectionable people and governments are allowed to enhance their reputations in this way. The standards set by those who govern sport should be far higher than they are.

No: The ownership of a football team makes very little difference to anything. The fact that Abramovich is popular with Chelsea fans does not make the rest of the world think any better of him.

Or... Sportswashing is only possible because there is so much corruption among the organisers of leagues and competitions. Cracking down on them rather than owners should be the top priority.

Sovereign wealth fund - An investment fund that operates on behalf of the state. PIF is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is believed to have ordered the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Sportswashing - When a country uses international sporting events to improve their reputation, often as a cover for human rights abuses.

Junta - A government that has taken control by force. It derives from a Spanish word meaning "council".

Abu Dhabi - The capital city of the United Arab Emirates - it is also the name of one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE.

Gary Neville - One of the most decorated English footballers of all time, with 20 trophies including eight Premier League titles. He spent his whole career at Manchester United.