Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 February 2008 12:17:44
That is the best way to sum up the chairmen of the Premier League.
Their plan to play games abroad has come in for a great deal of flak from fans and senior administrators. They claim that the idea is about bringing the League to fans overseas, so that they can see the majesty that is the Premiership in the flesh. In one comment Arsene Wenger said that the idea was to allow 90% of Arsenal's fanms to see them in the flesh. Does he really believe that the UK only accounts for only 10% of their supporters?
We all know that this has nothing to do with the fans. This is all about raking in money for the top teams involved, none of this will be used to reduced ticket prices at home or for the clubs lower down the pyramid who struggle to survive. Do they really believe that cities will bid to host the likes of Fulham v Derby or Aston Villa v Wigan? Maybe Man U. Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool will draw them in but not the rest of us.
Nor is it about spreading football as a whole to new markets. If anything it will just minimise those legaues that already exist in those countries. Unlike American football, who dreamt up the original idea, football is actually played in every country on the planet, even Liechstenstein and Andorra. How would playing Premiership matches elsewhere promote the game?
No wonder FIFA have said that they will not sanction these games. Even an organisation as money orientated as they are know that this is an unworkable idea.
Maybe its because many clubs are owned by overseas companies and people that this idea appeals to them so much. After all a game in Shanghai or Dubai looks far better than a cold, winter's night in Oldham or Rochdale!!!