Let’s all go to Saudi

[Bluedell 5,329]

22 hours ago, craig said:

The English are complaining about the Saudis coming in and taking all the best players in their prime.... It is extreme hypocrisy - the English did the EXACT same thing when the Sky money came rolling into England.

 

They are all crying now because all of a sudden there is competition

I guess that the two minor differences are that the cash is coming from a state rather than a company and the sports washing issue, but most of the complaints don't mention these points. There definitely is an element of hypocrisy.

 

Thankfully they don't have access to to the CL, so the only attraction they do have is the cash.

[craig 5,195]

20 minutes ago, Bluedell said:

I guess that the two minor differences are that the cash is coming from a state rather than a company and the sports washing issue, but most of the complaints don't mention these points. There definitely is an element of hypocrisy.

 

Thankfully they don't have access to to the CL, so the only attraction they do have is the cash.

Agree BD.  Koulibaly yesterday said "yep, it was the money - I can now help my family, friends, village I am from".  Cash is king.... and is hard to reject when it is multiples of generational wealth.

 

They don't have the CL, that is true.... but how long before the best players in the world are plying their trade in Saudi and other gulf states and their gulf CL is competing with UEFA's version ?

 

I doubt it will be in my lifetime, but stranger things have happened.  We need only look at how quickly the PGA caved to LIV for warning - though, in that instance it came down to deep pockets because the PGA couldnt continue with the legal expense.

[compo 6,138]

48 minutes ago, craig said:

Agree BD.  Koulibaly yesterday said "yep, it was the money - I can now help my family, friends, village I am from".  Cash is king.... and is hard to reject when it is multiples of generational wealth.

 

They don't have the CL, that is true.... but how long before the best players in the world are plying their trade in Saudi and other gulf states and their gulf CL is competing with UEFA's version ?

 

I doubt it will be in my lifetime, but stranger things have happened.  We need only look at how quickly the PGA caved to LIV for warning - though, in that instance it came down to deep pockets because the PGA couldnt continue with the legal expense.

And I read they are also looking at the sport of tennis they have made inroads into staging high profile boxing matches as well 

[compo 6,138]

I see Jamie Vardy has knocked back an offer he might reconsider when he sets eyes on the lawyer’s bills his dumb wife has racked up 

[ian1964 10,415]

 

[compo 6,138]

1 hour ago, ian1964 said:

£20 million just like that 

 

[Scott7 5,168]

While I’m glad he’s gone (effective player) I’m disappointed they’ve got a big fee for him. So, overall, I wish he’d stayed.

[Malangsob 1,203]

On 26/06/2023 at 10:08, Uilleam said:

SPECIAL REPORT

How the Middle Eastern superpowers have taken over sport

 

That concludes this report.

[Rousseau 9,372]

12 hours ago, Scott7 said:

While I’m glad he’s gone (effective player) I’m disappointed they’ve got a big fee for him. So, overall, I wish he’d stayed.

I think Benfica get a 30% cut. 

[Scott7 5,168]

I wonder if the Saudis thought they were getting the real Jota.