Football's Magic Money Tree
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The latest blog from the chaps at Vysyble is short and to the point - the subject matter the potential sale of MAnchester United
https://vysyble.com/blog-023
Going Back Home
(In tribute to the late Wilko Johnson)
The news that the Glazer family were exploring a possible sale of Manchester United has understandably sent the world’s media into a bit of a frenzy. Speculation and valuations abound. And yes, it is not often that the most famous club in English football comes up for sale. But along with Liverpool, two Big 6 Premier League clubs up for sale at the same time warrants further examination.
We looked at some of FSG’s possible motivations for selling up in our last blog. Now that there are two US owners looking to leave the Premier League, our own thoughts on those possible motivations would appear to hold even more water than before.
Those of you who are familiar with our work will know that the Premier League clubs do not achieve economic profits to any large degree. Indeed, since 2010, Liverpool has achieved 4 economic profits in 11 years whereas Manchester United has achieved just one single economic profit in 2012-13. This was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s and David Gill’s (Chief Executive) last season with the club. Consequently, Manchester United’s underperforming share price has reflected the lack of profits and the financially painful descent towards a club record economic loss of £145m in 2021-22.
Undoubtedly, Covid has been a factor but not the instigator of poor economic performance. The majority of Premier League football clubs were achieving significant losses despite record revenues up to and including the 2018-19 season.
Thus, on a day to day basis, football is not the profit-achieving enterprise that we are led to believe it to be by those in close association with the administration of the game. For club owners, this presented something of a problem. To the American owners steeped in sports business, it presented a challenge. How to turn a profit from a traditionally philanthropic and loss-making enterprise? Without merger and acquisitional activity, there are only two routes that could deliver profits in a dysfunctional financial environment: operational or structural reform. They chose structural reform. Thus, Project Big Picture and Super League were born.
Both initiatives failed. Both were heavily supported by FSG and the Glazer family. Both owners are now attempting to sell their interests in English football.
For the Premier League, this, we believe, is a pivotal moment. Two of the biggest clubs in the division are for sale. The new owners, whoever they may be, could pay a combined £10bn+ to complete both transactions. You would think that the Premier League’s administrators would be jumping for joy at the value-creation achieved by such prices for its own shareholder clubs. However, we suspect that there may be very serious trouble ahead.
Even if Liverpool is sold for, say £3.5bn, and Manchester United sold for, say £6.5bn, the challenge for the Premier League is whether the current format can deliver returns on such enormous acquisition prices.
And this brings us right back to the issue of Super League and the potential it offers in terms of future profit. The new owners, and we include Chelsea in this, may well resurrect the concept simply because playing local league football does not provide the returns to justify the initial acquisition price. Indeed, because there is increasing competition for the currently and limited lucrative Champions League places with two of the main contenders being state-backed entities, the investment risk is abundantly clear. The Glazers have found this out to their cost with an operational cost base geared for Champions League participation but increasingly failing to qualify for it. Arsenal is another example.
We do acknowledge that there is growth to be had within the women’s game but again, it requires significant ongoing investment.
Investors do not like risk when it is weighted against them. Sure, there are opportunities and buying into two of Europe’s biggest clubs cannot be ignored but the burden of acquisition will weigh heavily in terms of how the future of football will be shaped and as we’ve said plenty of times before, the Premier League isn’t ‘it’.
vysyble
https://vysyble.com/blog-023
Going Back Home
(In tribute to the late Wilko Johnson)
The news that the Glazer family were exploring a possible sale of Manchester United has understandably sent the world’s media into a bit of a frenzy. Speculation and valuations abound. And yes, it is not often that the most famous club in English football comes up for sale. But along with Liverpool, two Big 6 Premier League clubs up for sale at the same time warrants further examination.
We looked at some of FSG’s possible motivations for selling up in our last blog. Now that there are two US owners looking to leave the Premier League, our own thoughts on those possible motivations would appear to hold even more water than before.
Those of you who are familiar with our work will know that the Premier League clubs do not achieve economic profits to any large degree. Indeed, since 2010, Liverpool has achieved 4 economic profits in 11 years whereas Manchester United has achieved just one single economic profit in 2012-13. This was also Sir Alex Ferguson’s and David Gill’s (Chief Executive) last season with the club. Consequently, Manchester United’s underperforming share price has reflected the lack of profits and the financially painful descent towards a club record economic loss of £145m in 2021-22.
Undoubtedly, Covid has been a factor but not the instigator of poor economic performance. The majority of Premier League football clubs were achieving significant losses despite record revenues up to and including the 2018-19 season.
Thus, on a day to day basis, football is not the profit-achieving enterprise that we are led to believe it to be by those in close association with the administration of the game. For club owners, this presented something of a problem. To the American owners steeped in sports business, it presented a challenge. How to turn a profit from a traditionally philanthropic and loss-making enterprise? Without merger and acquisitional activity, there are only two routes that could deliver profits in a dysfunctional financial environment: operational or structural reform. They chose structural reform. Thus, Project Big Picture and Super League were born.
Both initiatives failed. Both were heavily supported by FSG and the Glazer family. Both owners are now attempting to sell their interests in English football.
For the Premier League, this, we believe, is a pivotal moment. Two of the biggest clubs in the division are for sale. The new owners, whoever they may be, could pay a combined £10bn+ to complete both transactions. You would think that the Premier League’s administrators would be jumping for joy at the value-creation achieved by such prices for its own shareholder clubs. However, we suspect that there may be very serious trouble ahead.
Even if Liverpool is sold for, say £3.5bn, and Manchester United sold for, say £6.5bn, the challenge for the Premier League is whether the current format can deliver returns on such enormous acquisition prices.
And this brings us right back to the issue of Super League and the potential it offers in terms of future profit. The new owners, and we include Chelsea in this, may well resurrect the concept simply because playing local league football does not provide the returns to justify the initial acquisition price. Indeed, because there is increasing competition for the currently and limited lucrative Champions League places with two of the main contenders being state-backed entities, the investment risk is abundantly clear. The Glazers have found this out to their cost with an operational cost base geared for Champions League participation but increasingly failing to qualify for it. Arsenal is another example.
We do acknowledge that there is growth to be had within the women’s game but again, it requires significant ongoing investment.
Investors do not like risk when it is weighted against them. Sure, there are opportunities and buying into two of Europe’s biggest clubs cannot be ignored but the burden of acquisition will weigh heavily in terms of how the future of football will be shaped and as we’ve said plenty of times before, the Premier League isn’t ‘it’.
vysyble
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
there was a strong column from Philipp Lahm in the Guardian today- well worth a read
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... ame-off-it
Europe shows Infantino the way on the pitch – now it must do the same off it
The roots of football, the strongest leagues and the last four nations to win the World Cup all hail from the continent
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... ame-off-it
Europe shows Infantino the way on the pitch – now it must do the same off it
The roots of football, the strongest leagues and the last four nations to win the World Cup all hail from the continent
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Silver Lake and Sheik Mansour buy up more of China Media Capital's shareholding in City Football Group - China's investment adventures in European Football are now very close to being overChester Perry wrote: ↑Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:44 pmThat option for Peak6 has been played out at City Football Group where Silver Lake have bought up some of the shareholding of China Media Capital, which means the Americans are now the 2nd largest shareholders in CFG
from the FT - link to an archive copy of the article to avoid paywall issues
Silver Lake ups stake in Manchester City owner
Renowned tech investor has turned its sights on sport and is now second-largest shareholder in City Football Group
https://archive.ph/zroJ0
US private equity firm Silver Lake increases investment in Manchester City owner
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also increased his stake as the controlling shareholder
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterpr ... e-25604588
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The Financial Times with their initial reaction to the CFG/Silver Lake news - similar to mine actuallyChester Perry wrote: ↑Fri Nov 25, 2022 8:40 pmSilver Lake and Sheik Mansour buy up more of China Media Capital's shareholding in City Football Group - China's investment adventures in European Football are now very close to being over
US private equity firm Silver Lake increases investment in Manchester City owner
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also increased his stake as the controlling shareholder
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterpr ... e-25604588
Silver Lake ramps up stake in Manchester City owner
Chinese investor in club slashes stake to almost zero
https://archive.ph/I6qmT
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
It appears that Saudi Arabia are wanting to re-ignite their disputes with Qatar
Diplomatic row brewing after Qatar pulls TV plug on Saudi Arabia
Row places pressure on Fifa as BeIN is one of its biggest right-holders for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... -arabia%2F
Diplomatic row brewing after Qatar pulls TV plug on Saudi Arabia
Row places pressure on Fifa as BeIN is one of its biggest right-holders for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... -arabia%2F
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
There is no surprise about this 'exclusive' about the revised Owners and Directors test for the Premier League - the option discussed has been nullified as such owners are already in the League (and are currently some of its most effective protagonists
from the Telegraph
Exclusive: Premier League will not change rules to prevent Saudi takeover of Man Utd or Liverpool
The two titans of English football have been put on the market by their American owners
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... t-saudi%2F
from the Telegraph
Exclusive: Premier League will not change rules to prevent Saudi takeover of Man Utd or Liverpool
The two titans of English football have been put on the market by their American owners
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... t-saudi%2F
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Always interesting how a simple game pf football can 'charge' a political situation often in another country - Chinese TV attempts to block out images of fans at matches in Qatar not wearing face masks
https://twitter.com/DreyerChina/status/ ... 8824641536
https://twitter.com/DreyerChina/status/ ... 8824641536
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
This is a really interesting podcast on what is currently being viewed as the future of sport to consumer engagement from Unofficial Partner Podcast
UP280 The Race to Convergence
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u ... 0587095922
There's a race on to define the next era of the sports business. The winners will reap enormous financial returns. The losers will likely disappear from view.
Sports media and gambling have always been bedfellows.
But what comes next is a complete convergence of the two, a seamless offer that puts betting at the very centre of the business model.
The appeal is obvious: Gambling companies gain access to valuable new customers; sports teams and leagues gain new licensing opportunities and fan engagement channels; and media companies retain and increase viewer interest, driving increased advertising revenue.
But there are barriers too: cost of technology, the threat of legislation and the basic marketing problem of differentiation between the mass of platforms now available to fans.
We discuss each of these with today's guest Sam Sadi, CEO of gaming and media business, LiveScore Group, one of the runners in the convergence race which delivers real-time sports scores and free-to-air live streams along with gambling opportunities via LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet. The company recently received a £50m strategic investment from Swiss media company Ringier, which values the LiveScore Group business at £500m.
As you'll hear, this is a frank and often revealing conversation about one of the most important macro trends in the sports business today.
UP280 The Race to Convergence
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/u ... 0587095922
There's a race on to define the next era of the sports business. The winners will reap enormous financial returns. The losers will likely disappear from view.
Sports media and gambling have always been bedfellows.
But what comes next is a complete convergence of the two, a seamless offer that puts betting at the very centre of the business model.
The appeal is obvious: Gambling companies gain access to valuable new customers; sports teams and leagues gain new licensing opportunities and fan engagement channels; and media companies retain and increase viewer interest, driving increased advertising revenue.
But there are barriers too: cost of technology, the threat of legislation and the basic marketing problem of differentiation between the mass of platforms now available to fans.
We discuss each of these with today's guest Sam Sadi, CEO of gaming and media business, LiveScore Group, one of the runners in the convergence race which delivers real-time sports scores and free-to-air live streams along with gambling opportunities via LiveScore Bet and Virgin Bet. The company recently received a £50m strategic investment from Swiss media company Ringier, which values the LiveScore Group business at £500m.
As you'll hear, this is a frank and often revealing conversation about one of the most important macro trends in the sports business today.
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
This piece in the Athletic also overlaps into the situation and calculation of how clubs are valued - which we still know to be a rather imprecise science - Watching the developments of the potential sales processes at Manchester United and Liverpool, so soon after the fire sale and beauty parade at Chelsea should help derive a clearer model of valuation, at least at the very top end of the game.
From the Athletic, link to an archive copy
Liverpool and Manchester United are up for sale. Which is the more appealing club to buy?
https://archive.ph/vNQsS
From the Athletic, link to an archive copy
Liverpool and Manchester United are up for sale. Which is the more appealing club to buy?
https://archive.ph/vNQsS
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Recently I have not and will not be posting too much about what is happening at the World Cup.
I have been taking note of the updates from Simon Chadwick on his twitter account in relation to the myriad of Geo-Political insights he has been posting - a number of which are wrapped up in this latest piece he has produced for the Conversation
World Cup 2022: how sponsorship has become less about selling drinks and more about geopolitics
https://theconversation.com/world-cup-2 ... ics-195140
I have been taking note of the updates from Simon Chadwick on his twitter account in relation to the myriad of Geo-Political insights he has been posting - a number of which are wrapped up in this latest piece he has produced for the Conversation
World Cup 2022: how sponsorship has become less about selling drinks and more about geopolitics
https://theconversation.com/world-cup-2 ... ics-195140
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The entire board of Juventus has resigned - from the Mail
Chaos at Juventus as the ENTIRE board sensationally RESIGNS amid charges of false accounting... with president Andrea Agnelli and director Pavel Nedved leading the exodus from Italian giants
- The entire board of directors at Juventus unanimously resigned on Monday
- The announcement came after a stunning meeting at the Serie A record winners
- The club had been under investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office
- The allegations included false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sport ... onday.html
Chaos at Juventus as the ENTIRE board sensationally RESIGNS amid charges of false accounting... with president Andrea Agnelli and director Pavel Nedved leading the exodus from Italian giants
- The entire board of directors at Juventus unanimously resigned on Monday
- The announcement came after a stunning meeting at the Serie A record winners
- The club had been under investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office
- The allegations included false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sport ... onday.html
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
All related to this as reported by Tariq Panja in the New York Times a year ago - which I have posted previouslyChester Perry wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:09 pmThe entire board of Juventus has resigned - from the Mail
Chaos at Juventus as the ENTIRE board sensationally RESIGNS amid charges of false accounting... with president Andrea Agnelli and director Pavel Nedved leading the exodus from Italian giants
- The entire board of directors at Juventus unanimously resigned on Monday
- The announcement came after a stunning meeting at the Serie A record winners
- The club had been under investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office
- The allegations included false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sport ... onday.html
What’s a Soccer Player Worth? Italy’s Regulators Are Asking.
The authorities in Italy are investigating dozens of transfers involving top clubs. In doing so, they might pull back the curtain on accounting practices that defy easy explanation.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/16/spor ... rie-a.html
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The Telegraph take an obvious angle on the news from Juventus but there is some other important detail in this reportChester Perry wrote: ↑Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:09 pmThe entire board of Juventus has resigned - from the Mail
Chaos at Juventus as the ENTIRE board sensationally RESIGNS amid charges of false accounting... with president Andrea Agnelli and director Pavel Nedved leading the exodus from Italian giants
- The entire board of directors at Juventus unanimously resigned on Monday
- The announcement came after a stunning meeting at the Serie A record winners
- The club had been under investigation by the Turin Public Prosecutor's Office
- The allegations included false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sport ... onday.html
Barcelona and Real Madrid believe they retain Juventus's backing over Super League
The Italian club's entire board resigned on Monday after 'unity was lost'
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... g-super%2F
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Football club valuation, and investor selection is point of regular discussion on this thread, looking for something else I have happened on this from of all people BetVictor - it is an interesting looking set of detail pulled together by a name familiar to this thread, Dr Rob Wilson of Sheffield Hallam University -I have not had a chance to explore it in detail but it looks worthy of our time
https://blog.betvictor.com/campaigns/mo ... all-clubs/
https://blog.betvictor.com/campaigns/mo ... all-clubs/
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
I don't quite know why, after over 5 years of this thread, but I am always amazed that Football, particularly the Premier League, always seems to find a new clutch of Billionaires who see advantage in owning a major Football Club
Why an Indian owner of an elite football club could be a win-win
Some of the most popular European leagues, with towering viewership, could be a global platform for branding, while an exchange of ideas and knowhow can trickle down to improve grassroots football in India
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/tak ... in/81585/1
Why an Indian owner of an elite football club could be a win-win
Some of the most popular European leagues, with towering viewership, could be a global platform for branding, while an exchange of ideas and knowhow can trickle down to improve grassroots football in India
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/tak ... in/81585/1
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
I have made an archive copy of that articleChester Perry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 11:21 amI don't quite know why, after over 5 years of this thread, but I am always amazed that Football, particularly the Premier League, always seems to find a new clutch of Billionaires who see advantage in owning a major Football Club
Why an Indian owner of an elite football club could be a win-win
Some of the most popular European leagues, with towering viewership, could be a global platform for branding, while an exchange of ideas and knowhow can trickle down to improve grassroots football in India
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/tak ... in/81585/1
https://archive.ph/HEQjX
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
the Guardian with a piece on the turmoil at Juventus and what appears to be the end of an era at Juventus for Andrea Agnelli - who himself took over after the previous scandal at Juventus where years of match-fixing was uncovered- from the Guardian
Juventus in turmoil as sudden Andrea Agnelli departure marks end of an era
La Liga have called for ‘immediate sporting sanctions’ against a club accused of false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -of-an-era
Juventus in turmoil as sudden Andrea Agnelli departure marks end of an era
La Liga have called for ‘immediate sporting sanctions’ against a club accused of false accounting and market manipulation
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... -of-an-era
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The lunacy that is the modern monied world - I sadly expect this to be the start of a new market for the very top end of Football. The 10% in the pricey seats at football already tend to pay as much as the 90% just to attend to matches - just look at the pricing for advance packages at Bramley Moore Dock, but just how do you cater for the 1% who do not really like to mingle - In the US you have the SkyBox, in Qatar they have done something a little different- from the New York Times
When V.I.P. Isn’t Exclusive Enough: Welcome to V.V.I.P.
Every sports venue has its own tiered system of luxury. The World Cup in Qatar is providing a reminder that there is always a higher level.
https://archive.ph/0JQSt
When V.I.P. Isn’t Exclusive Enough: Welcome to V.V.I.P.
Every sports venue has its own tiered system of luxury. The World Cup in Qatar is providing a reminder that there is always a higher level.
https://archive.ph/0JQSt
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The atmosphere looks electric in that last photo. Those sheiks are really bouncing .
If they want to subsidise the rest then go ahead and rip them off.
If they want to subsidise the rest then go ahead and rip them off.
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Simon Chadwick with some thoughts on how a Saudi buyer could buy either Liverpool or Manchester United and how for the Premier League the potential for Owners and Directors Test investigations to be quite forensic over the issue of who is in ultimate control is nothing newChester Perry wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:45 amThere is no surprise about this 'exclusive' about the revised Owners and Directors test for the Premier League - the option discussed has been nullified as such owners are already in the League (and are currently some of its most effective protagonists
from the Telegraph
Exclusive: Premier League will not change rules to prevent Saudi takeover of Man Utd or Liverpool
The two titans of English football have been put on the market by their American owners
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... t-saudi%2F
https://twitter.com/Prof_Chadwick/statu ... 0894086146
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/ ... jrflQ&s=19
Inter Milan's losses are impressive, but Serie A appears to be losing vasts amounts of money with huge debts kicking around
Inter Milan's losses are impressive, but Serie A appears to be losing vasts amounts of money with huge debts kicking around
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Arsenal announce their 2021/22 financial results with £45.5m loss after tax
https://www.arsenal.com/news/financial- ... paign=news
https://www.arsenal.com/news/financial- ... paign=news
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The proposed takeover of Birmingham City by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez appears to have collapsedChester Perry wrote: ↑Wed Jul 20, 2022 11:46 pmIn recent weeks Laurence Bassini has demonstrated very clearly why he should not be allowed to own a football club - but when your club is up the creek without a paddle it seems the same names keep floating into the story - Take this about the proposed new bidders for Birmingham City - it all sounds rather more promising until you read that Matt Southall is the person lined up to be CEO.
Football has got itself into a real mess
I have posted offerings from Almajir previously - this is a fan who like many around the country who has had to learn a lot so as to try and understand what is happening to his club
BCFC: Car Park Pressers
https://almajir.net/2022/07/20/bcfc-car-park-pressers/
Breaking: Huge Birmingham City takeover update as statement released
Latest Birmingham City takeover news brings you an update on the planned buy-out of the current owners as a statement is released
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/ ... n=sharebar
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
these reports seem to be getting later each year - the 2020 edition of 'We're so Rich it' Unbelievable' from Vysyble came out mid-summer, got the 2022 edition we had to wait until December - but it is here now and actually free to download. It is subtitled 'The illusion of Wealth Within Football'
The blurb
http://vysyble.com/wsriu7
The report
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yltxz17acza57 ... 7.pdf?dl=0
The blurb
http://vysyble.com/wsriu7
The report
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yltxz17acza57 ... 7.pdf?dl=0
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Swiss Ramble looks at the finances of Arsenal (the club he supports) - I must say they are much easier to read now he posts on substackChester Perry wrote: ↑Fri Dec 02, 2022 11:58 amArsenal announce their 2021/22 financial results with £45.5m loss after tax
https://www.arsenal.com/news/financial- ... paign=news
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/arse ... email=true
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Thinks get very interesting at a club when two of the major shareholders own separate multi-club interests and then one decides to buy into another club and make the new acquisition the fulcrum of his football interests not the one that currently occupies that role - it is then that the obstacles, not just financing, start to really get in the way.Chester Perry wrote: ↑Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:46 pmSeems that John Textor is not buying football clubs with his own money - and has still not completed the deal to buy Olympic Lyonais
https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/text ... ogged_in=1
Textor’s Lyon takeover postponed again
The proposed takeover of French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais by Eagle Football, a company owned by US investor John Textor, has been delayed again as the American seeks to complete proof of financing.
In June, it was revealed that Textor was set to become the majority shareholder of Lyon. Textor, who owns Brazil’s Botafogo and second-tier Belgian side RWD Molenbeek and holds a significant share in English Premier League club Crystal Palace, had been in advanced talks with Lyon’s president and current majority shareholder Jean-Michel Aulas.
Textor is due to buy out the shares of French film production and distribution company Pathé and Chinese investment fund IDG Capital, who had an approximate 40-per-cent stake in the club between them, as well as part of Aulas’ family holding, Holnest. Overall, he will have a 66.5-per-cent stake in the club, which could eventually rise to 88.55 per cent.
Pathé and IDG Capital released a joint statement in March stating that they had engaged investment bank Raine to explore the disposal of their stakes in the club. The proposed deal was approved at a general meeting on July 29, with Textor due to inject capital of up to €86m ($84.6m).
The takeover had already been due to complete on September 30 and a joint statement from all parties involved in the deal was released after another deadline of October 21 passed without completion.
A new date for “completion of the operation” has now been set for November 17. The statement read: “To date, substantial progress has been made on all the steps that are necessary to complete the transaction.”
It continued: “With regard to the financing of the transaction, Eagle Football has informed OL Groupe that advanced discussions with the identified sources of all debt and equity investors supporting the transaction are ongoing.
“However, this financing remains subject to the finalisation by Eagle Football of the long form documentation, additional customary approvals (including by the football governing bodies) and internal compliance verification process of the lenders to the Olympique Lyonnais group. Therefore, such transaction could not be completed by October 21, 2022.”
In setting the new closing date, the five parties said they have agreed on “interim key milestones” for signing of the debt and equity financing final documentation “triggering termination right… if any of the relevant interim milestone is not met”.
In July, OL Groupe saw its revenue grow by 42 per cent to €252.5m for the 2021-22 financial year, with the figures boosted by player sales and the return of fans following the Covid-19 pandemic.
From the Athletic
Why does John Textor want to buy Lyon – and how does it affect Crystal Palace?
https://archive.ph/FIwsQ
Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Speaking of duel ownership, it seems Watford are at it again.
They are working their way around the rules (or are they?) as Udinese are ‘signing’ highly rated Brazilian Matheus Martins for 9m from Fluminese before ‘immediately loaning’ him to Watford.
This isn’t the first time this season, earlier on they ‘sold’ Hassan Kamara to Udinese for 16m, only for him to be immediately loaned back to Watford. Perhaps this was why they were able to reject 20m+ bids for Joao Pedro.
Is anyone clued up on this and why the EFL don’t care? It seems like it makes a mockery of FFP rules? Or is it just being smart with duel ownership?
They are working their way around the rules (or are they?) as Udinese are ‘signing’ highly rated Brazilian Matheus Martins for 9m from Fluminese before ‘immediately loaning’ him to Watford.
This isn’t the first time this season, earlier on they ‘sold’ Hassan Kamara to Udinese for 16m, only for him to be immediately loaned back to Watford. Perhaps this was why they were able to reject 20m+ bids for Joao Pedro.
Is anyone clued up on this and why the EFL don’t care? It seems like it makes a mockery of FFP rules? Or is it just being smart with duel ownership?
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
It is just another problem with the multi-club model - all perfectly above board at FIFA/UEFA. The EFL and The Premier League are powerless to do anything about it - and another of the reasons a have long objected to the multi-club modelRVclaret wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 2:29 pmSpeaking of duel ownership, it seems Watford are at it again.
They are working their way around the rules (or are they?) as Udinese are ‘signing’ highly rated Brazilian Matheus Martins for 9m from Fluminese before ‘immediately loaning’ him to Watford.
This isn’t the first time this season, earlier on they ‘sold’ Hassan Kamara to Udinese for 16m, only for him to be immediately loaned back to Watford. Perhaps this was why they were able to reject 20m+ bids for Joao Pedro.
Is anyone clued up on this and why the EFL don’t care? It seems like it makes a mockery of FFP rules? Or is it just being smart with duel ownership?
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Apparently, Lyon have given John Textor until this Wednesday to complete the deal for the takeoverChester Perry wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 11:07 amThinks get very interesting at a club when two of the major shareholders own separate multi-club interests and then one decides to buy into another club and make the new acquisition the fulcrum of his football interests not the one that currently occupies that role - it is then that the obstacles, not just financing, start to really get in the way.
From the Athletic
Why does John Textor want to buy Lyon – and how does it affect Crystal Palace?
https://archive.ph/FIwsQ
Lyon gives John Textor final deadline of Wednesday to buy club
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/l ... 022-12-05/
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
The Athletic asksChester Perry wrote: ↑Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:45 amThere is no surprise about this 'exclusive' about the revised Owners and Directors test for the Premier League - the option discussed has been nullified as such owners are already in the League (and are currently some of its most effective protagonists
from the Telegraph
Exclusive: Premier League will not change rules to prevent Saudi takeover of Man Utd or Liverpool
The two titans of English football have been put on the market by their American owners
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... t-saudi%2F
Could a Saudi Arabian investor really buy Liverpool or Manchester United?
https://archive.ph/u4NuS
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
It is always interesting how differing fan groups at different clubs approach what they think are issues at their club
Everton supports 27 Years campaign started this time last year with an Open Letter to owner Farhan Moshiri and a staged walkout at Goodison. This week it has issued another Open Letter which you can read here
https://theesk.org/2022/12/06/open-lett ... d-moshiri/
of course some supporters are better connected with the media and that is why you can read about this letter in The Athletic and The Independent amongst others
Everton supports 27 Years campaign started this time last year with an Open Letter to owner Farhan Moshiri and a staged walkout at Goodison. This week it has issued another Open Letter which you can read here
https://theesk.org/2022/12/06/open-lett ... d-moshiri/
of course some supporters are better connected with the media and that is why you can read about this letter in The Athletic and The Independent amongst others
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Official Confirmation that the proposed takeover of Birmingham City by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez is not going to happen. As appears to be the way of things theses days the announcement was made on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange where the current owners are listedChester Perry wrote: ↑Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:23 pmThe proposed takeover of Birmingham City by Paul Richardson and Maxi Lopez appears to have collapsed
Breaking: Huge Birmingham City takeover update as statement released
Latest Birmingham City takeover news brings you an update on the planned buy-out of the current owners as a statement is released
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/ ... n=sharebar
https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listc ... 700962.pdf
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
It appears that China may still be using sport (and football) as part of its strategic long game for economic (and possibly cultural) dominance
https://twitter.com/Prof_Chadwick/statu ... 0921355270
https://twitter.com/Prof_Chadwick/statu ... 0921355270
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Deadlines come deadlines go and still Lyon are willing to give John Textor more time, this is based on the proviso that all agreements and finances are in place bar one - the ok of the Premier League - this is because Lyon takeover means that Textor will have new investors in his group which holds the major share in Crystal Palace and the Premier League need to put them through their owners and directors ringer (interestingly this will apply to any future investor in Velocity Sports Limited in regard to our club). Apparently the new deadline as no specific end date which is probably a good job as Newcastle fans well remind anyone who cares to listen that it took 20 months for the Premier League to approve their takeoverChester Perry wrote: ↑Mon Dec 05, 2022 8:18 pmApparently, Lyon have given John Textor until this Wednesday to complete the deal for the takeover
Lyon gives John Textor final deadline of Wednesday to buy club
https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/l ... 022-12-05/
JOHN TEXTOR GIVEN FURTHER EXTENSION TO COMPLETE LYON TAKEOVER
https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2 ... -takeover/
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Somehow I missed this when it was published
It is a statement of the obvious but makes the mistake that many have made that these clubs want to leave their domestic leagues - they don't but may be forced into making the choice
LaLiga would be ‘bankrupt’ if Real Madrid and Barcelona join European Super League
The presidents of Real and Barca are both firm advocates of the Super League project.
https://archive.ph/ibPqG
It is a statement of the obvious but makes the mistake that many have made that these clubs want to leave their domestic leagues - they don't but may be forced into making the choice
LaLiga would be ‘bankrupt’ if Real Madrid and Barcelona join European Super League
The presidents of Real and Barca are both firm advocates of the Super League project.
https://archive.ph/ibPqG
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Interesting article in The Conversation about crypto's foray in sport sponsorship - also addresses some of the problems with sponsorship for sponsors of any kind
Why sports sponsorship is unlikely to save cryptocurrency firms from ‘crypto winter’
https://archive.vn/wLnAW
Why sports sponsorship is unlikely to save cryptocurrency firms from ‘crypto winter’
https://archive.vn/wLnAW
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
This is an interesting flipside to the above and probably akin to what we have been witnessing at home games on the Turf under the new ownership.Chester Perry wrote: ↑Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:58 pmThe lunacy that is the modern monied world - I sadly expect this to be the start of a new market for the very top end of Football. The 10% in the pricey seats at football already tend to pay as much as the 90% just to attend to matches - just look at the pricing for advance packages at Bramley Moore Dock, but just how do you cater for the 1% who do not really like to mingle - In the US you have the SkyBox, in Qatar they have done something a little different- from the New York Times
When V.I.P. Isn’t Exclusive Enough: Welcome to V.V.I.P.
Every sports venue has its own tiered system of luxury. The World Cup in Qatar is providing a reminder that there is always a higher level.
https://archive.ph/0JQSt
Is the party over for hospitality? The rise of ‘premium economy’ in the match day box
The days of a prawn sandwich and glass of fizz at half time might be over as you know it. Matt Rogan on the reinvention of sports hospitality - and why there’s now something for everyone
https://archive.vn/RYTzb
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
This weekend we play Middlesbrough in the last league game before Christmas -- today :SwissRamble has a look at their 2021/22 financial results - losses down by a third but still over £19m on a turnover of almost £26.5m
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/midd ... email=true
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/midd ... email=true
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
In two days there will be an advisory over the question of UEFA holding a monopoly on international club football competitions in Europe from the European Courts - I have long maintained that FIFA would like to be the sanctioning body for a Super league (in fact five super leagues across the globe which would feed into it's world club cup - it seems that the ECA now fully partnered up commercially with UEFA have started with their negotiation pitch.
EXCLUSIVE: Europe's elite clubs deal major blow to FIFA as they REJECT proposal to launch new 32-team Club World Cup in the USA in 2025, with governing body running out of time to find solution
- FIFA have been seeking approval to stage a 32-team competition in the US
- Europe's biggest clubs have rejected the proposal for the summer of 2025
- FIFA refused to sign Memorandum of Understanding in retributive act
- Clubs could theoretically refuse to release players to play for their countries
- The goal for FIFA FIFA is to hold an expanded Club World Cup every four years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... -2025.html
EXCLUSIVE: Europe's elite clubs deal major blow to FIFA as they REJECT proposal to launch new 32-team Club World Cup in the USA in 2025, with governing body running out of time to find solution
- FIFA have been seeking approval to stage a 32-team competition in the US
- Europe's biggest clubs have rejected the proposal for the summer of 2025
- FIFA refused to sign Memorandum of Understanding in retributive act
- Clubs could theoretically refuse to release players to play for their countries
- The goal for FIFA FIFA is to hold an expanded Club World Cup every four years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... -2025.html
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Is Gibson able to write off the debt like he used to do and did just prior to FFP kicking in?Chester Perry wrote: ↑Tue Dec 13, 2022 10:07 amThis weekend we play Middlesbrough in the last league game before Christmas -- today :SwissRamble has a look at their 2021/22 financial results - losses down by a third but still over £19m on a turnover of almost £26.5m
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/midd ... email=true
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
I see this was finalised todayChester Perry wrote: ↑Fri Sep 16, 2022 2:20 amwell that didn't take long
Bournemouth takeover possible as US consortium prepares £150m bid
Current owner Maxim Demin reportedly weighing up offer
Deal would mean 11 Premier League clubs had US shareholders
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... s-150m-bid
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Later today we will find out what the advisory note has to about a UEFA monopoly and the potential for alternative continental club football competition - i.e. Super League - remember this is not a final judgement, though it should be influential on that. as I have said before there is so much legal precedent on this that it would be very strange if the advisory report did not suggest that alternative competitions should be allowed
For now the rebel 3 live in hope - From the Telegraph
Super League rebel trio await fate in legal challenge against Uefa
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are contesting the remit of European football's governing body with written ruling due on Thursday
https://archive.vn/bb82D
For now the rebel 3 live in hope - From the Telegraph
Super League rebel trio await fate in legal challenge against Uefa
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are contesting the remit of European football's governing body with written ruling due on Thursday
https://archive.vn/bb82D
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
There is some very clever politiking in the advisory notice - yes the clubs can create a new league - but and this could be the clincher - they can also be thrown out of their domestic Leagues - if the appropriate league bodies decide so if they doChester Perry wrote: ↑Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:19 amLater today we will find out what the advisory note has to about a UEFA monopoly and the potential for alternative continental club football competition - i.e. Super League - remember this is not a final judgement, though it should be influential on that. as I have said before there is so much legal precedent on this that it would be very strange if the advisory report did not suggest that alternative competitions should be allowed
For now the rebel 3 live in hope - From the Telegraph
Super League rebel trio await fate in legal challenge against Uefa
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are contesting the remit of European football's governing body with written ruling due on Thursday
https://archive.vn/bb82D
European Super League: legal adviser’s view delivers blow to ailing project
European court of justice advocate general backs Uefa and Fifa
Says clubs can break away but need approval to stay in leagues
https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... a-fifa-ecj
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
I wouldn't say this is the death of Super League just yet - remember it was only 3 years ago that Florentino Perez and Gianni Infantino (Presidents of Real Madrid and FIFA respectively) had an agreement in principle for a World League - anyone seeing a striking similarity of Continental Super Leagues and a mid week World League operating like a Champions League to the UEFA model with UEFA and the domestic European Leagues scrubbed out - interesting the biggest problem on that front may actually be the MLS,
here is the Independents report on this mornings advisory report
Uefa’s opposition to European Super League ‘compatible with EU competition law’
The opinion read out at the Court of Justice of the European Union is a significant blow to those clubs pushing for a Super League
https://archive.vn/D0nx1
here is the Independents report on this mornings advisory report
Uefa’s opposition to European Super League ‘compatible with EU competition law’
The opinion read out at the Court of Justice of the European Union is a significant blow to those clubs pushing for a Super League
https://archive.vn/D0nx1
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
ECJ press release on the advisory report is quite extensive post 1 of 2
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
post 2 of 2
press release ECJ
UEFA response to the advisory report
ECA response
https://www.ecaeurope.com/news-media-re ... -esl-case/
all laid out in this thread from Tariq Panja who raises the issues of punishment (currently suspended) on the 3 rebel clubs
https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1 ... 8996582400
The Athletic with their initial report on that advisory report
FIFA–UEFA rules do not breach EU competition law – European Court of Justice
https://archive.vn/uLBk7
The Telegraphs Sam Wallace thinks Super League is dead
Super League to be killed off as European Court rules in favour of Uefa and Fifa
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus had hoped to plough on with controversial Super League despite its disastrous collapse last year
https://archive.vn/HFWeL#selection-1427.1-1431.133
press release ECJ
UEFA response to the advisory report
ECA response
https://www.ecaeurope.com/news-media-re ... -esl-case/
all laid out in this thread from Tariq Panja who raises the issues of punishment (currently suspended) on the 3 rebel clubs
https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1 ... 8996582400
The Athletic with their initial report on that advisory report
FIFA–UEFA rules do not breach EU competition law – European Court of Justice
https://archive.vn/uLBk7
The Telegraphs Sam Wallace thinks Super League is dead
Super League to be killed off as European Court rules in favour of Uefa and Fifa
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus had hoped to plough on with controversial Super League despite its disastrous collapse last year
https://archive.vn/HFWeL#selection-1427.1-1431.133
Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Article by John Percy on the decline of West Brom and the need for new ownership.
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... decline%2F
Seems the owner has been taking money out of the club to fund his others business during Covid, and has yet to repay it.
https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... decline%2F
Seems the owner has been taking money out of the club to fund his others business during Covid, and has yet to repay it.
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
https://twitter.com/RyanDilks1/status/1 ... 3M_VQ&s=19
Cardiff getting transfer ban
Cardiff getting transfer ban
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
Valuations of Clubs has been an on/off feature of this thread for a number of years now - today @SwissRamble had a look at the subject with a specific objective in mind
The fact that this is on substack rather than a twitter thread is a real godsend
How Much Is Manchester United Worth?
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/how- ... dium=email
The fact that this is on substack rather than a twitter thread is a real godsend
How Much Is Manchester United Worth?
https://swissramble.substack.com/p/how- ... dium=email
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Re: Football's Magic Money Tree
It is probably safe to stay that nobody reports on football in the depth and way that Josimar does - the World Cup is over but what exactly does that mean for the thousands of souls imported to allow it to happen
https://josimarfootball.com/christmas-in-doha/
Christmas in Doha
No salary and no food. David, 17, and Paul, 18, worked as security guards during the World Cup, but are now left without a job and accommodation.
By Sam Kunti
It’s the day after the World Cup final and downtown Doha, known as The Corniche, is empty, the majority of fans and media have already packed their bags. In a sign that the Qatari capital is returning to its peculiar brand of normalcy, workers have reappeared to dismantle the fan zone, food trucks and tournament branding. An Indian couple takes a last snap at the waterfront ‘I Doha’ sign, seconds later workers remove the heart. It’s a powerful image – are they stripping Doha’s façade?
Does the observation even matter? The media, fans and everyone with a football heart is still revelling in Lionel Messi’s consecration, at last stepping out of the shadow of Diego Maradona with the ultimate twilight-career conquest at Lusail Stadium, the culmination of a four-week global TV spectacular in Qatar. The hosts and FIFA had gotten their dream final.
Qatar and Messi’s immortalisation will forever remain synonymous and that was priceless to organisers. Who cares about migrant workers and the LGBT community now? David, 17, and Paul, 18, watched the final on the big screen at the Corniche’s fan zone. The 120 minutes entertained the pair and took their minds briefly of the gruesome universe of labour abuse they dwelled in Doha as security guards, helping to safeguard the World Cup at some marquee venues. “The match was good and I wanted France to win because I support them…I don’t support Messi. My favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo, but David was supporting Argentina,” says Paul.
That day the boys from Western Africa were worried about their immediate future: the two months they had worked for their employer, an official Fifa partner, had not been properly remunerated: 1800 riyals in total, despite all of the over hours and endlessly long working days. In Qatar, the monthly minimum wage is 1000 riyals. David and Paul were forced to work on their days off and promises of proper payment never materialised, always turning hollow. David said the company owes him 3000 riyals for his work.
Hours after the final, David was tired and incensed: “We don’t get full payment…what they told us, we haven’t seen anything. They haven’t given us (the money) and want us out of here. They say now leave the camp. They’ll pay us half of our salary, we can’t even afford our rental. Things are very hard on us.”
Instead, the company sought to force David, Paul and other workers out of the accommodation, one of the worst in Qatar after they were moved there from Al Shahaniya where camps have their own dire degree of surveillance, hardship and hopelessness, all part of a larger system of indentured labour. With no money, David and Paul panicked – they would be homeless from one day to the next, on the streets of Doha, the richest capital city in the world. “We are praying for that (accommodation),” says Paul.
They decided to complain and outside their accommodation, David, Paul and their colleagues staged an impromptu protest, an act of defiance in a country where protesting is outlawed and met with unpleasant consequences. In response the company wanted the workers to sign a document in which they agreed to forego pay for the month. The police arrived on the scene “to protect them from us” in David’s view. Paul and David had nowhere to go. On Christmas eve, the company also refused to provide food for those workers that had been ‘dismissed’.
Qatar, in tandem with Fifa and a few international organisations, including the International Labour Organization (whose Doha seat is fully funded by Qatar), have long trumpeted the host nation’s abolishment of the Kafala system, prevalent in the Gulf and which ties workers to their employer. It leaves workers at the mercy of their company, with little or no legal redress. The abolishment of kafala has been a paper reform, a PR gimmick for organisers and Fifa to hide behind. Fifa president Gianni Infantino briefly refereed a match between legends and migrant workers during the tournament – it was another great photo opportunity for the Zurich supremo.
During the competition Josimar, however, found wage abuse, lack of health care coverage, violations of working hours and companies threatening their workers, all of this at multiple World Cup hubs or venues. Among the workers increased fear reigned. They had no way out just like David and Paul, who says that his country’s ambassador is part of the system and that “he can never help us.” Having never heard anything about NGOs call for a compensation fund, David, after everything he has been through, is adamant: “Come back here? Never ever.”
It’s Christmas in Qatar then for David and Paul with wage abuse, no food on the table and for now an uncertain future in a repressive climate as the stand-off with their employer continues.
Fifa did not reply to a request for comment.
https://josimarfootball.com/christmas-in-doha/
Christmas in Doha
No salary and no food. David, 17, and Paul, 18, worked as security guards during the World Cup, but are now left without a job and accommodation.
By Sam Kunti
It’s the day after the World Cup final and downtown Doha, known as The Corniche, is empty, the majority of fans and media have already packed their bags. In a sign that the Qatari capital is returning to its peculiar brand of normalcy, workers have reappeared to dismantle the fan zone, food trucks and tournament branding. An Indian couple takes a last snap at the waterfront ‘I Doha’ sign, seconds later workers remove the heart. It’s a powerful image – are they stripping Doha’s façade?
Does the observation even matter? The media, fans and everyone with a football heart is still revelling in Lionel Messi’s consecration, at last stepping out of the shadow of Diego Maradona with the ultimate twilight-career conquest at Lusail Stadium, the culmination of a four-week global TV spectacular in Qatar. The hosts and FIFA had gotten their dream final.
Qatar and Messi’s immortalisation will forever remain synonymous and that was priceless to organisers. Who cares about migrant workers and the LGBT community now? David, 17, and Paul, 18, watched the final on the big screen at the Corniche’s fan zone. The 120 minutes entertained the pair and took their minds briefly of the gruesome universe of labour abuse they dwelled in Doha as security guards, helping to safeguard the World Cup at some marquee venues. “The match was good and I wanted France to win because I support them…I don’t support Messi. My favourite player is Cristiano Ronaldo, but David was supporting Argentina,” says Paul.
That day the boys from Western Africa were worried about their immediate future: the two months they had worked for their employer, an official Fifa partner, had not been properly remunerated: 1800 riyals in total, despite all of the over hours and endlessly long working days. In Qatar, the monthly minimum wage is 1000 riyals. David and Paul were forced to work on their days off and promises of proper payment never materialised, always turning hollow. David said the company owes him 3000 riyals for his work.
Hours after the final, David was tired and incensed: “We don’t get full payment…what they told us, we haven’t seen anything. They haven’t given us (the money) and want us out of here. They say now leave the camp. They’ll pay us half of our salary, we can’t even afford our rental. Things are very hard on us.”
Instead, the company sought to force David, Paul and other workers out of the accommodation, one of the worst in Qatar after they were moved there from Al Shahaniya where camps have their own dire degree of surveillance, hardship and hopelessness, all part of a larger system of indentured labour. With no money, David and Paul panicked – they would be homeless from one day to the next, on the streets of Doha, the richest capital city in the world. “We are praying for that (accommodation),” says Paul.
They decided to complain and outside their accommodation, David, Paul and their colleagues staged an impromptu protest, an act of defiance in a country where protesting is outlawed and met with unpleasant consequences. In response the company wanted the workers to sign a document in which they agreed to forego pay for the month. The police arrived on the scene “to protect them from us” in David’s view. Paul and David had nowhere to go. On Christmas eve, the company also refused to provide food for those workers that had been ‘dismissed’.
Qatar, in tandem with Fifa and a few international organisations, including the International Labour Organization (whose Doha seat is fully funded by Qatar), have long trumpeted the host nation’s abolishment of the Kafala system, prevalent in the Gulf and which ties workers to their employer. It leaves workers at the mercy of their company, with little or no legal redress. The abolishment of kafala has been a paper reform, a PR gimmick for organisers and Fifa to hide behind. Fifa president Gianni Infantino briefly refereed a match between legends and migrant workers during the tournament – it was another great photo opportunity for the Zurich supremo.
During the competition Josimar, however, found wage abuse, lack of health care coverage, violations of working hours and companies threatening their workers, all of this at multiple World Cup hubs or venues. Among the workers increased fear reigned. They had no way out just like David and Paul, who says that his country’s ambassador is part of the system and that “he can never help us.” Having never heard anything about NGOs call for a compensation fund, David, after everything he has been through, is adamant: “Come back here? Never ever.”
It’s Christmas in Qatar then for David and Paul with wage abuse, no food on the table and for now an uncertain future in a repressive climate as the stand-off with their employer continues.
Fifa did not reply to a request for comment.