Some managers are supporting the premier league with their ‘radical plan’ for an international round of fixtures but virtually all fans have voiced serious concerns about this – Harry Redknapp is also against this as he being quoted as having explained to TalkSport: ‘I don’t know why the Premier League want to mess with things.
‘This is not ideal, is it? And what happens if you are unlucky enough to get Manchester United or Arsenal – surely that’s not fair. But it looks as though the plan is done and dusted.
‘Frankly, I’d be very surprised if it stays at one game a season. Eventually you will see two, three or even more going abroad – and I don’t like that’.
As Redknapp has said, my very early thoughts were similar – the chances of it ‘stopping at just 1 game’ are not that great, should the idea be a success, which it will – as money will be made! – then I too fear that more and more fixtures would no doubt be added to this ‘special schedule’…
Now, this is where he gets a little, some might say ‘contradictory’ – and some that are really, really PC might say ‘wrong’ – with some of his comments though: ‘in the end we’ll be playing one in England and the rest will be around the world. It will be like Harlem Globetrotters.
‘It’s all about making money. Why else do these people buy football clubs? The owner used to be the local butcher, baker or candlestick maker.
‘Now people are buying clubs and it’s all about investment. Don’t tell me that’s not why all the Yanks are coming over. They want a return on their money’.
As I say some will say ‘but Pompey are no different as they have an overseas investor’, which we do of course. And in all honesty Sacha Gaydamak is no different, he is a businessman first and foremost and he is here to make a profit on his investment no matter what people might think, this I can deal with…
I guess the simple truth is, as we all know football is ‘a business’ these days the more that can be exploited and made from the game, the more it will – this is just another way of doing this. I cannot disagree with much of what Redknapp has said to be honest – can anyone?
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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