Villa criticized over Visit Rwanda sponsorship deal

July 15 : Aston Villa's new sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda has drawn criticism from human rights campaigners, with Amnesty International saying the African nation is using the deal to burnish its international image, British media reported on Wednesday.Visit Rwanda and the Premier League club signed the multi-year deal on Tuesday, with media reports putting the value at about £20 million ($26 million) per year.Amnesty International UK said the partnership risked helping Rwanda sportswash its human rights record and cited allegations surrounding the country's role in the conflict in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, BBC Sport reported.The Rwandan government has regularly denied allegations that it backs any rebel groups operating in Congo. "It's not new that Rwanda is usin