John McAreavey with his wife Michaela
The widower of a murdered honeymoon in Mauritius said he was “upset” through Liverpool FC’s advertising link to the Indian Ocean island.
John McAreavey has campaigned for justice since his wife Michaela was strangled in his hotel room in a luxury hotel in January 2011.
He accused the government of Mauritius of indifference and in the case, saying that they were more interested in preserving the island’s reputation as a holiday destination than in catching the killers.
Ms. McAreavey, a 27-year-old instructor who was the only daughter of Tyrone’s Gaelic football chief, Mickey Harte, murdered when she returned to the room alone and interrupted a robbery.
Two former hotel workers were acquitted of his murder after a high-profile trial on the island in the summer of 2012.
On Monday, Liverpool unveiled Mauritius as its new official wife for tourism and economic development.
He has signed a three-year partnership with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and the Mauritius Economic Development Board.
Liverpool said the deal was part of Mauritius’ preference for a “tourist destination and a leading business centre in Africa.” The club added that ownership of the component would allow Mauritius to gain advantages from a “range of virtual assets, social media and LFC marketing.”
McAreavey expressed fear at the Twitter link in which he described the club’s movements as “really disappointing.”
“Maurice cannot guarantee the protection of tourists and completely despise those who suffer murders,” he tweeted.
“I have great respect for @LFC as a club, for everything he stands for, and for the way it has been justice for his own teammates for so long. Seeing that makes me sick.
He has been contacted for feedback.
On his website, he says: “In addition to being one of the most sensitive luxury vacation destinations in the world with one of the return rates of guests, Mauritius is also one of the most favorable options for business and investment in the world.
“The island has been an established center for foreign banking and finance for at least 20 years and plans to expand this reputation around the world.”
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth would have said that the country and club “share non-unusual values of dedication, determination and unity.”