Former Man United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has been accused of sportswashing after appearing to support Tanzania’s controversial government.

Ferdinand, 47, was reportedly hosted on a visit to the country by culture and sports minister Paul Makonda, who the US government sanctioned in 2020 for ‘gross violations of human rights’.

Among the accusations levelled at Makonda, he has reportedly launched anti-gay crackdowns in the past, including a surveillance squad dedicated to hunting down gay people in Tanzania.

Makonda’s wife was also banned by the US government and speaking about his actions, they said: ‘He has been implicated in oppression of the political opposition, crackdowns on freedom of expression and association, and the targeting of marginalised individuals.’

At a reception following his arrival in the country, which generated much fanfare and saw the former United defender draped in a Tanzanian flag, Ferdinand had referred to Makonda as ‘my good friend Paul’.

He said: ‘Tanzania are making strides to become a global powerhouse of football and they need the support. It’s a massive achievement to be part of that (Afcon) and to inspire the next generation.

Rio Ferdinand has been accused of sportswashing after appearing to support Tanzania’s government (second right – sanctioned culture and sports minister Paul Makonda)

Ferdinand’s arrival in Tanzania created much fanfare and he was draped in the country’s flag

‘You have to come, you have to meet people. My good friend Paul here, we have been speaking on the (phone), it has not just happened overnight, and we have to prepare a plan for when I’m here to see things and experience things and then start cooking up some good ideas.’

His visit to the country was part of Tanzania’s attempts to use the profile of former Premier League stars ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by them, Kenya and Uganda.

Meanwhile, Tanzania’s government have previously been accused of significant human rights abuses when hundreds of protestors were killed last year in the aftermath of the general election.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan was ‘re-elected’ with 98 per cent of the vote, a result that opposition parties described as a ‘mockery’ of democracy after her main challengers were excluded.

Hassan had insisted the election was fair and transparent and accused foreigners of inciting the violence as part of attempts to overthrow her.

However, the African Union and the southern Africa bloc SADC claimed the election had fallen short of democratic standards.

A request to visit from the European Union to investigate allegations of election abuses and repression was also denied by the government.

Amnesty International UK’s director of campaigns Felix Jakens told The Times: ‘Amnesty International has been closely monitoring a deeply troubling human rights situation in Tanzania, where security forces used unlawful lethal force against protesters in late 2025, killing and injuring hundreds.

‘Against that backdrop, Rio Ferdinand should be speaking up against the rights violations happening there, not lending his profile in support of the government.

‘His host, minister Paul Makonda, was sanctioned by the US government for gross human rights violations – and yet Ferdinand’s presence risks rehabilitating Tanzania’s international image while those responsible for recent abuses face no accountability.

‘Celebrity visits don’t happen in a vacuum – they send a message – and this has all the hallmarks of sportswashing. We urge Ferdinand to speak out about these abuses and to use his platform responsibly.’

Ferdinand pictured with wife Kate. The pair are based in Dubai after leaving the UK last August

Makonda (pictured in 2017) was sanctioned for ‘gross violations of human rights’ in 2020

When contacted for comment by The Times, Ferdinand’s representative insisted he was unaware if his client was being paid, and said that he was invited by Hassan rather than Makonda.

The representative also claimed Ferdinand was there to help support African football development ahead of next year’s tournament.

Ferdinand was in the country for three days and he was said to visit the capital city Dodoma via train with Makonda, while he also took a trip to the Tanzanian parliament and the Serengeti National Park.

Daily Mail Sport contacted Ferdinand’s representative for comment.