The Mailbox can think of only few owners who truly had their club and fans at heart. Also: what the Saudis are trying to achieve; Prem hypocrisy; and badly-advised players.
Get your views in to theeditor@football365.com…
Owners have never had fans at heart
I feel like I say this a lot these days and I am going to say it again.
In almost all instances owners have never cared about the fans.
I think the mails about Saudi ownership and money in football and their extreme ambivalence to joe public fan on the terraces are pretty spot on. But this is not a new phenomenon. I am sure there are still people around who remember Ken Bates putting up electric fences at Stamford Bridge. Do we think owners really cared about the fans when they moved Wimbledon to that hot bed of football Milton Keynes. Go back futher to the original franchise club. Did the owners of Arsenal move the club from Woolwich to Highbury for the benefit of the fans?
Talk to fans of non-league clubs and you will find stories of owners buying clubs to get their hands on prime real estate to try and redevelop grounds to use for flats, hotels and casinos. Only for them to get mired in planning permission and send clubs into receivership.
These are just the examples I can remember from the top of my head. I am sure a quick google can find a whole host of owners who are simply in football ownership as a fluff piece for their massive ego and to flex their bank balance. I haven’t even mentioned Peter Ridsdale, who is still somehow a director at Preston Noth End. Fit and proper person. Fwah.
So rather than leave this on such a sour note I can think of a few examples in recent(ish) times where directors and owners really seemed to care and do right by the fans.
Matthew Harding
Jack Walker
and the guy a Forest Green really do seem to care.
I am sure there are many more but I think the majority are equivalent to vulture capitalist or used car salesmen in their moral fibre.
Simon, Woking (I didn’t check the guy from Forest Green so I really hope he hasn’t been caught drowning kittens)
Saudi mission
Further to the emails about sports washing, the fact is that you, I or anyone else reading this Mailbox doesn’t really understand what it is that the states in the Middle East are trying achieve with football (unless F365 has high ranking diplomatic types reading it).
Whilst the exact end goal isn’t clear, the motivation is. These are nations rich only through oil; take that away and there is little to build an economy on. Whilst that literal money pipeline isn’t going to stop tomorrow, the end is in sight (as in decades) as the world gradually moves away from fossil fuels.
Without the oil, they have no influence, no power and no money, so of course they will be looking to invest and “diversify their portfolio”. I’m sure it’s probably happening in loads of different areas outside of sport, it’s just that huge numbers of people are interested in sport whereas they may not be in who owns the most shares in Unilever or whomever.
I don’t like it, it’s further ruining game and I can’t support it if/when they take over my club.
Lewis, Busby Way
PS I can’t believe people are aghast at the bidding process. It’s the Glazers; they’re just playing them off each other to drive up the price. Then getting the most money is all that matters.
…I really hate that I’m biting….
Firstly, Gerard, you can’t write how if anyone replies they must avoid cliches and give you a nuanced, detailed explanation – but also something simple enough for you to understand since you are clearly are missing all of the points that have come previously – of sports-washing, while your argument offers almost nothing expect argumentative waffle without anything salient or opinionated.
“And while it may hurt your feelings there is a correlation between authoritarianism and an ordered society” – obviously, since the regime controls the society, it can be ordered however they like it. They control the society, they control the people, and therefore, it appears safer to the outside world, but not the subjects of that regime. It’s not so much a correlation as the whole f*cking point.
But, in essence, the idea of sportswashing isn’t so “Alan the Geordie” thinks they’re alright, but instead the legitimization of authoritarian practices through passive acceptance. Fans defend the owners, and argue amongst themselves, news outlets and the mainstream football media talk about the transfers and the money, the success of these clubs, and the impact they have had on Our League. Ronaldo et al brings millions of online followers, who rather than engage with anything on any level, bring clout and ad revenue. This brings tourism, and the sporting events which follow, and all of the benefits that come with hosting such prestigious international tournaments. The idea of sportswashing isn’t for us plebs to say “you know what, Saudi Arabia is alright”, but to essentially allow Saudi Arabia into the international fold – in terms of financially, politically, socially – without changing. Homosexuality can still be illegal, the death penalty can still be legal, the treatment of women/minorities etc can remain unchanged. Yet, Saudi Arabia becomes an international player more so than it was, it becomes a destination for holidays, for political/social/sporting events, it has a seat at the big boy table. That’s the idea behind sportswashing, legitimization without change.
Neill, (this issue however is a lot more complex and nuanced than mere football, which I guess is the whole point), Ireland
…A response to Gerard, Eire who is either wilfully or ignorantly missing the entire point of sportswashing despite the multiple back-and-forths on this topic.
You (or ye) are right in one important way. You are entirely correct that *they* do not care about the opinion of the common football fan. But what they do care about is the same thing that everyone else cares about and that is the ten pound note in their pocket.
They certainly don’t care about what Alan the Geordie bricklayer, Keith the Shoreditch-artisan-baker or even Dennis the east-end coke dealer think about their morals and laws etc. But they do care that people are willing to park those feelings just far enough away that they will come and visit. You see these countries, and apologies if this isn’t news to you Gerard, are funded and functional based on one commodity. Oil. And (again you may know this Gerard so apologies) the oil is drying up (47 years apparently). So are their customers.
Selling oil to Shell, BP and the like is great but those organisations are being forced to pivot and invest in renewable and sustainable forms of energy by a combination of public momentum and government targets and legislation. When (not if) these forms of energy generation become widely adopted then the black stuff out of the ground will cease to be anywhere near as valuable as before and that will create an economic situation which is totally untenable for any country where this is the principal export.
So, how do they get new ‘customers’? Well, in short, they need to create a new product and they have. Tourism. They want a regional economy that is underpinned not by natural resources in the ground but by human ones on the ground. So they need to appeal to those people and convince them to spend money that ultimately ends up in their pocket and supporting what would otherwise be a failing economy.
This is the clever bit. By investing in sport, they are tapping into existing deeply emotional connections that people have for an entertainment product (yuck) rather than building it from scratch. Would Alan or Keith or Dennis visit Saudi / Qatar (whichever) 15/25 years ago? Unlikely. Would they if Newcastle / Brentford / West Ham have a (paradoxically) European Final in one of these shiny new stadiums in the desert? Would they if the best players they watch and worship are there? Well they did in January for the world cup, they do for the boxing and they do for the F1. It’s the same with these bonkers infrastructure projects that they are investing in – they are creating freakshow cities and ski resorts in the desert at unimaginable expense so people can come and marvel at the wonder of it all with their eyes and wallets wide open. This makes it more and more acceptable for people to travel there, invest there, do business there etc. and to ignore the nagging voice in their head which tells them cutting up journalists and exploiting migrant workers is wrong.
In short, they are taking a reputation for a hot, dusty place where you can’t drink and there is b*gger all to do and pouring glitter on it. But the glitter is crack and you’re already addicted to it.
Probably failed the no cliché requirements but oh well.
Tom, Liverpool.
Legitimate criticism
In reply to Adam Sab’s mail, calling hypocrisy on criticism of Saudi involvement in football by those who don’t similarly criticise American ownership. If my club, Liverpool, were purchased by an entity controlled by the US state (a state that is, like the Saudi regime, guilty of a litany of grievous crimes) BUT the US state was an absolute authoritarian monarchy (give them time) and the de facto head of this US-state controlled entity and owner of LFC was newly anointed ruler Donald Trump Jr. (who had in the last few years ordered the hacksaw dismemberment of Susan Glasser in a US embassy) and then they made the Liverpool away strip red, white and blue as one way to code said state into my club….well, then you’d have a point that the Saudi play for football is no different to US ownership as it currently exists. No money flows in Saudi Arabia without the blessing of the state = the monarchy = MBS = hacksaw killer guy. The US has serious issues but no, not the same (yet…give them time!) I don’t love FSG, but they just don’t compare to the Saudi project in any way. False equivalencies used to imply some kind of racism or chauvinistic prejudice (of which we have plenty of real examples that don’t deserve to be drowned out) give me a cramp deep in my anus. Please stop hurting my anus Adam and friends.
Rob NYC
Prem hypocrisy
How is the far off worst case hypothetical of Saudi/Qatar monopolizing football with money any different than what the Premier League is doing? I understand that the investment comes from the State rather than TV revenue, but that is just a new player entering the market & making all the investments to succeed.
Its the same as any business! The FA & EPL dearly protect their No.1 status and are just afraid of another country or brand bringing in a new threat. They are disrupting the market, and from a business standpoint, they are making the right moves. If you start seeing the business behind the football, you will understand & maybe be able to digest the world a little better.
How else does anyone compete with the Premier League monopoly? Does anyone here have a better idea? The Premier League defeated a Messi led La Liga by miles in terms of revenue, profit & spends across decades.
The correct question is if football should be treated as a business, and if the answer is no, then that no should apply to everyone.
Aman
Oscar winner?
There was a time, before Coutinho was a washed up curiosity and before he a record British sale, when Oscar was the best young Brazilian attacking midfielder in the league. Dynamic, clever, hardworking. He was a league champion twice, and a Europa League champ (with Rafa… that was a weird year). He was a regular in the Brazil setup, winning international acclaim and trophies.
And then, in 2017, he went to China for £300k a week. One of the glittering jewels in a policy that was bringing the best of the best to China’s money flush league. This was the big time. He was proof that it wasn’t all just washed up former greats cashing in one last time (and it wasn’t) it was serious players. It’d be glorious. All that financial muscle, an enormous audience and a promise that the league would go from strength to strength.
I’ll save you the research. He’s still there six years later. He’s played 20 games a season. Won the league once. Not received another cap for Brazil. He’s 31.
He went and earned a mountain of money and rotted. The superstars that went with him all left. The only one remaining is Fellani, who hasn’t played a game in a season. (Though, for fellow Liverpool fans, former young hope Texeira is now playing there.) He’s either happy soaking up the money with little to no real competition or stress, and I don’t blame him, or he can’t organise a move back because the salary is just too much of a millstone.
I don’t know if he regrets it. I don’t know if it matters. But in a sport that is as much about glory as money (see the sacrifices players make to play in teams they think can win something) it’s sad to see players go like that. Hopefully Neves doesn’t mirror his path.
Andrew M, Streatham
Read next: Ruben Neves giving up on CL dream for Saudi Arabia a dispiriting taste of things to come
Getting shirty
Long time reader and first time emailer here so go easy folks😊. I read Dara O’Reilly’s mail about the Al Nassr Ronaldo Top located in London and his resulting melancholy. As a father of a nine year old with a Ronaldo 7 Al Nassr kit I was a little surprised by his negative reaction. My son has listened to me harping on about how good Ronaldo was/is since he took an interest in football a number of years ago and shared my joy when he returned to Man U.
When I pick him up from school and the kids are playing football in the playground I hear “Ronaldo” mentioned every day. When last season began I was thoroughly informed that the Ronaldo Golden Baller trading card was the sought after thing imaginable! Kids love the big name superstars, always have and always will – so what if he’s moved to a team we aren’t as familiar with and the tops have started to circulate?
When I was a teenager a friend of mine introduced me to the OG Ronaldo when he played for Inter, before long I was hooked and was sporting a R9 (home and away) top whilst kicking ball in the street and setting the VCR for James Richardson’s Football Italia to catch a glimpse of my footballing hero do something magic. Pretty sure we were the only guys in town to have Inter tops and later I learned R9 moved to Inter for quite a lot of money and under slightly dubious circumstances at the time – it changed nothing for me and hopefully offended no-one.
I guess my point is perhaps football like any hobby/interest is infectious and the more people become invested the more they become critical and identify perceived flaws. Maybe football shouldn’t depress people as much as it sometimes seems to? As mentioned in this fine mailbox many times we as fans have no control over some of the decisions made by players, teams or leagues, so isn’t it just better to go with the flow and see where it takes us? If the Saudi League has money to spend on good players then I say let them, perhaps we could learn more about their league? I personally just try and enjoy football and watch as many matches and tournaments as I can, it’s quality time with my son and escapism from the daily grind. Let kids be kids, they will always have their poster boys and be proud to wear player’s names on their kits regardless of perceived external circumstances.
John, Groomsport, (still attempting and failing the R9 skills) MUFC
Decisions, decisions
Do you think Kalvin Phillips regrets swapping Leeds for eating donuts on Pep’s bench? What about Cucurella missing the obvious Chilwell impediment to his success?
Now we have Mason Mount clearly seeing the first team spot at ManU none of us can see.
As for Kai Havertz, is this some weird Bermuda Triangle of xG experiment that Arteta is trying to construct with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketia. If it isn’t, what’s the point?
Do these guys even get professional advice… As I’m not sure they should be allowed outside alone.
Matthew (ITFC)
No charity
With regards to the Man City supporters boycott of The Community Shield, and campaign on behalf of food bank charities instead, it’s probably worth pointing out for those who don’t know that it used to be called “The Charity Shield.” It isn’t any more, because the Charity Commission in 2002 found that the FA had breached charity law in not making clear what percentage of ticket sales go to charity, who those charities were, and in not making payments to those charities in a timely fashion.
Instead of making those changes, the FA decided to rename the event…..
Dara O’Reilly, London
Messi’s year
I’m one mailbox late in this response to John Matrix’s pro-Haaland Ballon D’Or mail this week, but I’ve got to respond with the case for Leo Messi.
I’m a big Haaland fan. He’s a remorseless, superhuman Viking berserker, with a fantastic determination and an insatiable lust for goals. The prolific consistency he’s shown in his early career is incredible, and by all means he’s had a wonderful debut goalscoring season for Man City, where he played a key role in their success.
That said, in terms of being the best in the world, for this year at least, by my opinion, he’s not there yet.
It kills me to say it, but Haaland can be quite ineffective. When he’s good, he’s great. But when he’s not scoring, he’s almost completely absent, outside of drawing the attention of defenders. People say he won the treble – and yes, he was a huge part of that, but it’s also worth noting that when it mattered most – he vanished. No goals in his final 8 games, including 2 x CL Semis, FA Cup final and CL Final.
Compare that to 35 year old Messi, who had his ‘Last Dance’ — Going against the odds (as 5th – 6th favourites) to lead Argentina to their first World Cup in 30 years. Messi starred in virtually every game, scored in the final and took home the Golden Ball.
Haaland is a fantastic player, who I’m sure will continue to grow into a legendary striker over the coming years. He could be top of world football for the coming decade, and his Ballon D’Ors are destined to come soon.
But this year belongs to Leo.
Andy
