Saudi Arabia’s influence on football remains, so how will fans adapt?
New forces are beginning to take over football, and not for the better.
With every passing day, a new player is linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, the latest sporting institution in which a Middle Eastern oil state is investing heavily.
It is the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that finances the growing international influence of the league.
We saw something similar when China started investing in its soccer league to gain political soft power. Concerned about the amount of money leaving the country, the Chinese government then changed its modus operandi and now invests in academies to improve their national team in the future.
Some successful clubs ceased to exist almost overnight, in part due to heavy taxes imposed on owners who invest in European teams and players.
Jiangsu FC won the title in 2020 but went bankrupt four months later.
The same is unlikely to happen in Saudi Arabia and other oil states like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The money spent is on a different scale than what China spends. While the Saudi Pro League is unlikely to reach the level of Europe’s top leagues, their government’s interference in elite sport is not going away anytime soon.
New forces are beginning to take over football, and not for the better.
With every passing day, a new player is linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, the latest sporting institution in which a Middle Eastern oil state is investing heavily.
It is the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) that finances the growing international influence of the league.
The state recently bought four of the country’s top clubs and is now attracting players and managers with astronomical salaries that dwarf those of Europe’s top teams. We saw something similar when China started investing in its soccer league to gain political soft power.
MANCHESTER, – Monday February 3, 2014: Chelsea’s Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior misses during the Premiership match at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Concerned about the amount of money leaving the country, the Chinese government then changed its modus operandi and now invests in academies to improve their national team in the future.
Some successful clubs ceased to exist almost overnight, in part due to heavy taxes imposed on owners who invest in European teams and players.
Jiangsu FC won the title in 2020 but went bankrupt four months later. The same is unlikely to happen in Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing states, such as the UAE and Qatar.
The money being thrown around is of a different order than the amounts China spends.
While the Saudi Pro League will likely never reach the level of Europe’s top leagues, their government’s meddling in top-level sport isn’t going away anytime soon.
With Newcastle United, the Saudi regime has carved its way to the top of European football, while Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have already trodden that step with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City respectively.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi even has a seat on the UEFA board. Saudi Arabia’s takeover of Newcastle has been met with skepticism from football fans at various levels.
There were Geordies who spoke openly about it and others who weren’t; many were just happy to see Mike Ashley go.
Among Man City fans, it has been hard to find a bad word about Sheikh Mansour since he spearheaded the UAE’s takeover of the club in 2008.
This is despite the lack of human rights in both countries.
This is despite the lack of freedom of expression in both countries. This is despite Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading a coalition that has consistently bombed Yemen and created a humanitarian disaster.
New forces are beginning to control football, and not for the better.
Every day a new player is linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, the latest sports organization heavily invested by a Middle.
It is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) that funds the competition’s growing international influence.
The state recently bought four of the country’s top clubs and is now attracting players and managers with astronomical salaries, dwarfing those of Europe’s top sides. We saw the same thing when China started investing in its soccer league to gain political soft power.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – Monday February 3, 2014: Chelsea’s Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior misses during their Premiership match at City of Manchester Stadium.
Concerned about the sums of money leaving the country, the Chinese government has changed its approach and has now invested in academies to improve its national team in the future.
owners investing in European teams and players.
Jiangsu FC won the title in 2020, but went bankrupt just four months later. The same is unlikely to happen in Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing states, such as the UAE and Qatar.
The way to enter
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND-Monday 23 August 2010: Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak (L) with owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan watch his team take on Liverpool in their Premiership first leg match at the City of Manchester Stadium.
With Newcastle United, the Saudi regime has carved its way to the top of European football, while Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have already trodden that step with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City respectively.
PSG president Nasser even has a seat on the UEFA board.
Saudi Arabia’s takeover of Newcastle has been met with skepticism from football fans at various levels. There were Geordies who spoke openly about it and others who weren’t; many were just happy to see Mike Ashley go.
Among Man City fans, it has been hard to find a swear word about Sheikh Mansour since he spearheaded the UAE’s takeover of the club in 2008.
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