Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf is accused of using a lawsuit with PGA to spy on the families of 9/11 victims
- Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is accused of stalking the families of 9/11 victims, who are also represented by PGA’s public affairs firm, Clout
- Clout claimed that the Saudi-led league is using a third party to spy on the 9/11 Justice League, which has been protesting LIV Gulf events
- Clout has ties to the 9/11 Justice League, which is suing Saudi Arabia over the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
- LIV and PGA Golf have been in an ongoing legal battle since last year when the Saudi-funded league lured famous golf stars to join their group
The Saudi-backed LIV Golf allegedly used a lawsuit against the PGA Tour to create “an intelligence file” on the families of 9/11 victims who are critical of the sports league.
The allegation was made by Clout Public Affairs – the representative of PGA – which also has ties to the 9/11 Justice group, which is suing Saudi Arabia over the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The 9/11 Justice group protested the Saudi-funded league in Portland and New Jersey last year and threatened another strike.
According to Bloomberg, LIV is accused of tracking the justice group’s communications with Clout and monitoring members’ activities using a third-party system.
‘LIV wants Clout’s communication with 9/11 Justice, a group of victims and families who have campaigned for years for full disclosure and accountability regarding the Kingdom’s role in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.’
Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf is accused of stalking the families of 9/11 victims, who are also represented by PGA’s public affairs firm, Clout
Clout claimed that the Saudi-led league is using a third party to spy on the 9/11 Justice League, which has been protesting its golf events
LIV Golf and several of its players sued the PGA Tour in August over alleged antitrust violations stemming from the tour’s decision to ban golfers who signed with the Saudi-backed circuit.
The PGA countersued in September, alleging that LIV Golf was using the antitrust laws “as a cudgel” to undermine the Tour’s existing contracts with players.
Several big names including big winners like Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau have been lured to LIV Golf with lucrative signing bonuses said to be worth $100-200 million.
According to the news agency, LIV previously argued that PGA hired the 9/11 justice groups to protest their golf events in retaliation.
Meanwhile, the latest allegations against LIV could be the group’s response to stopping the 9/11 Group from ruining the golf league’s reputation.
‘[LIV Golf] not only seeks information about Clout’s work related to LIV and Gulf, but chillingly attempts to sift through all communications Clout has had with 9/11 families about the Saudi League, its sovereign wealth fund, and the agents involved in tracking and prosecution hired to monitor 9/11 families in the United States,” the filing reads.
Brooks Koepka, 32, is a new member of the PGA Tour, joining the LIV Golf Series for a nine-figure check
Phil Mickelson left LIV Golf Series for a ‘fresh start’
Meanwhile, golf star Tiger Woods turned down a nine-figure offer to leave PGA for the Saudi-backed rival group
LIV golfers are expected to play at the Masters in April after a row between the Saudi Arabian-led league and the PGA left uncertainty over whether the gulf divide is strong enough to turn LIV rebels away.
The decision was criticized by organization 9/11 Families United, which said in a statement: “After 9/11, our country agreed that we would ‘never forget’ that terrible day.
“The only reason the Saudis started LIV was to try to make the world forget who they are and what they did, including their role in 9/11.
“Anyone who has truly vowed to ‘never forget’ should be appalled by these golfers’ decision to bet money over their own country.”
The group asked LIV to ban him from playing at the Master.
“If they are welcomed with open arms, we will be on their doorstep in April to protest.”