Despite the fact that there is a major international financial crisis, there was one place in which things could carry on with the notice: Business as usual. This is being referred to, of course, to the English Premier League.
One example of this was when the new wealthy owners of Manchester City had lined up a bid for around £100million for Italian club AC Milan’s Brazilian international, Kaka. Despite the fact that City are in the wrong half of the league table and the baffling reaction to the bid, they clearly believe they can land the player.
Man City are one of only a handful of clubs who can realistically buy players. In this January transfer window, it’s been a sellers’ market, with more players being released from their contracts more quickly. It’s been clear that the Premiership has for a long time since its creation in 1992 that it was seen as one major cash cow, with revenue coming into clubs from TV deals and company sponsorship. However, now even that is changing, with a handful of clubs not having shirt sponsorship for the first time in living memory, and the fact that all but a small number of those are in debt.
We need to wake up to this and tell the powers that be that their little bubble must burst, or the beautiful game itself could face further financial ruin.