sport news LIV Golf Investments move to defend Greg Norman after Jamal Khashoggi murder ... trends now

LIV Golf Investments has come to the defence of its chief executive Greg Norman after appearing to dismiss the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey as a 'mistake'. 

The journalist was assassinated at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul after criticising his country's government, and a UN special rapporteur and the CIA have since claimed Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman gave the orders for the killing.

Norman was asked about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and sportswashing on Wednesday as he laid out his plans for his lucrative breakaway LIV Golf Invitational Series, which is financially backed by the country's sovereign wealth fund, the PIF.

In reference to Khashoggi's murder when speaking at the Centurion Club near St Albans this week, 67-year-old Norman said 'we've all made mistakes'.

It has forced LIV Golf to come out and attempt to calm the situation down, insisting its chief does understand the severity of what happened in Turkey four years ago. 

The company said in a released statement: 'The killing of Jamal Khashoggi was reprehensible.

'Everyone agrees about that, including Greg and he has said as such previously on many occasions. Greg also knows that golf is a force for good around the world and can help make inroads toward positive change.

'That is why he is so excited about LIV and that was the point he was making.' 

Norman caused controversy this week when in response to being asked about the murder of Khashoggi, said: 'Everybody has owned up to it, right?