D.C. United’s supporters’ groups are unified in their displeasure about the MLS team spending much of training camp in Saudi Arabia, which, amid criticism about its human-rights record, has used sports to polish its reputation, a tactic known as “sportswashing.”
Several groups now say they plan to protest United’s ties to the kingdom at the first four home matches, starting with Saturday’s opener against the New England Revolution at Audi Field.
Five groups — Buzzard Point Social, District Ultras, 202 Unique, Rose Room Collective and La Banda del Distrito — say they will not bang drugs, wave flags or sing in unison.