The Cartier Queen’s Cup, one of the most prestigious polo tournaments in the world, has become a venue where the best players meet royal families from Europe and the Middle East. However, this year, the tournament (which will take place between May 23 and June 18) is overshadowed by the presence of Alessandro Bazzoni, a businessman sanctioned by the United States and charged in Venezuela with corruption-related crimes. We will explore more about this controversial participant and how his presence affects the tournament’s reputation.
The prestige and tradition of the tournament
The Cartier Queen’s Cup competition brings together the most prominent players in the sport and is sponsored by the prestigious brand Cartier. For over a decade, Cartier has supported the event, which is seen as the highlight of the British social season. Not only has British royalty, including Queen Elizabeth herself, participated in the tournament, but also renowned businessmen such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid of Dubai and Swiss financier Guy Schwarzenbach. Additionally, the presence of Alejandro Aznar, star of the Spanish team Marqués de Riscal, adds even more glamour to the tournament.
The controversy surrounding Alessandro Bazzoni
This year, the Cartier Queen’s Cup is marred by the participation of Alessandro Bazzoni, an Italian businessman sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury due to his alleged involvement – alongside his Italian partner, Erik Roveta – in a corruption scheme at Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. Bazzoni is considered the “successor” of Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who is currently detained in the United States on corruption charges related to the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela. His participation in the tournament raises questions about the integrity and transparency of the event.
Bazzoni’s role in the corruption scheme
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bazzoni played a central role in the corruption scheme following Saab’s arrest in 2020. He is credited with coordinating the resale of Venezuelan oil and contracting oil tankers willing to load oil in Venezuela. Despite being sanctioned, Bazzoni continued his illegal activities involving the mediation of Venezuelan oil in the international market and became involved in a massive corruption scheme that led to the indictment and arrest of nearly 70 people in Venezuela, including high-ranking politicians and businessmen.
Bazzoni’s participation in the Cartier Queen’s Cup
Despite his involvement in the corruption scandal, Alessandro Bazzoni and his Norwegian wife Siri Evjemo-Nysveen, also a prominent polo player, will participate in the tournament and share the field with British royalty and other distinguished players. Bazzoni plays for the Monterosso Polo Team, which he owns along with the Viking team. Although his presence generates controversy, his participation illustrates the complexity of the situation.
The Cartier Queen’s Cup takes place at the historic Guards Polo Club, nestled in the picturesque setting of Smith’s Lawn, just a few kilometers west of London. Founded in 1955, the club was first presided over by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and was supervised by the late Brian Stein, who recently passed away on May 17, 2023.
The tournament is considered the pinnacle of the British social season, attracting the elite and polo enthusiasts from around the world. However, Bazzoni’s presence raises questions about the tournament’s integrity and the image it portrays.
It is important to note that polo is one of the most expensive sports in the world. Team owners must maintain specially acclimatized stables to breed and care for at least thirty horses known as “polo ponies,” due to their size and agility. In addition to high-performance players, each team has experienced coaches and a veterinary team to care for the animals.
In a 2019 interview, Bazzoni expressed his ambitions to play big in the United States, referring to the polo season held annually from January to April at the iconic National Polo Center in Wellington, Palm Beach. However, due to the sanctions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bazzoni will not be able to participate in polo on American soil for some time.