Things all started brewing up when LMA (League Managers Association) head Richard Bevan claimed; "Several foreign-owned Premier League clubs want to scrap relegation" last week. Any football, or even sporting fan who logged onto a news website that day or flipped to the back page of a newspaper would've been shocked to the core at these revelations - Or would they? Football is all about money, we've known so for years now - people claim it is more of a business than a sport. So, why the big shock that billionaire owners from abroad want to keep their 'franchise' in the biggest league of them all?
If McDonlads or Burger King could force through a rule where a line is drawn as to no other fast-food franchise could sprout up and suddenly overtake them in the global market - they would, quicker than a blink of an eye. It is competition - that's what it boils down to, an incentive for lower business'/clubs' to stand up and get to the peek of their profession! After competition, what is left inside football? No charge to gain promotion - What is the point? Would be the attitudes each week, football would slide down the pan and eventually subside. Yes, it's startlingly harsh but it is what will happen if quite moronic claims like this are ever put through.
Currently, 9 of the Barclays Premier League clubs are under foreign ownership, wether American, Russian, Asian or not is irrelevant, they are now a project. A way in which these tailored businessmen imagine their bank balances rising even more. With no real respect for our game, pure-blooded English fans or the deep, colourful history of English League football - what is to stop them feeling this cut-off point is unthoughtful and just totally wrong!?
Unfortunately for us all, nothing is the answer to the above question - well, nothing besides the rule 14 of the clubs must abide to the ideas put forward in the new rule. Who's to say in 2 years time we couldn't have all 20 Premier League clubs owned abroad? I'm afraid at that point, the possibility becomes even more stark...
Wigan Athletic, prime example. 30 years ago nothingness, non-league football. Look at them now! Beginning their 7th consecutive Premier League year, they are the real incentive to all of the clubs, fans and owners out there that believe their club is going no where. It is exactly the same with Leeds United and Southampton (But opposite!) 7-8 years ago they were playing Champions League football and regularly achieving top-half finishes along with cup finals. Now, after suffering a football related; Fate worse than death, and dropped into the third tier of League football are working there way back up, both having had excellent starts to their Championship campaigns.
Decorated, successful sides can have dips, some could last half a decade, some a full 10 years, perhaps even longer - but the roller-coaster ride that is being an avid football supporter never dies down. Yes, money and income from TV rights and award funds may drop, but you'll still get your 30,000 loyal supporters every week, just look-up Carrow Road, Elland Road and St Mary's.
It is surely the case the the English Football League governing body is far too strong for nightmares like this ever to come true. Nonetheless it cannot be denied that football is heading down a treacherous slope, full of uncertainty, debt and no real love and affiliation. Eventually money will catch up on our game, it could take decades but it will happen. Let's just hope and pray that the people right at the top are ready to face it head-on, to deal with the issues and keep the bread and butter of our old, fragile English game alive.We mustn't ever let it reach a hanging in the balance situation. As to many, it is a matter of life and death - Could you honestly imagine English football without end of season scenes such as these below?
Don't let them take our game away from us!
No comments:
Post a Comment