A world wrestling body has defended its decision to run an event in Saudi Arabia despite a global outcry after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mr Khashoggi, a Saudi government critic who lived in the US, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October.

Saudi Arabia denied knowledge of Mr Khashoggi's whereabouts for nearly three weeks before admitting his killing had been "premeditated".

They have also denied any involvement of the powerful crown prince Mohammed bin Salman - but that did not stop some countries and businesses from distancing themselves.

Many top Western officials have boycotted an investment conference, called Davos in the Desert, held in the country this week.


:: Outcry over Khashoggi killing 'hysterical', Saudi official says

Image: The journalist died in a premeditated murder plot, say Turkish officials

Late last week, WWE confirmed it would go ahead with its Crown Jewel event in Riyadh on 2 November but chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon said the decision had been difficult.

She told Sky News: "Moving forward with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia was an incredibly tough decision, given that heinous act.

"But, at the end of the day, it is a business decision and, like a lot of other American companies, we decided that we're going to move forward with the event and deliver Crown Jewel for all of our fans in Saudi Arabia and around the world."

WWE held its first live events in the oil-rich kingdom in 2014.

Image: Vince McMahon, chairman of WWE, has been criticised for the decision

The organisation had said in a statement late last week that it had "decided to uphold its contractual obligations" in staging the event.

WWE signed a 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

But some of the show's stars reportedly decided not to take part next month and some fans accused the organisation of being more interested in money than doing what was right.

Twitter users accused them of being "tone-deaf" and accepting "blood money", while some said they had cancelled their subscriptions in protest at the move.

In April, WWE held its Greatest Royal Rumble in Jeddah, although female competitors were not involved due to rules in the strict Islamic country.