Cut him in half and he’s got “I am not an anachronism” written right through him.
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The inside track since 2003
Cut him in half and he’s got “I am not an anachronism” written right through him.
Copyblogger theme design by Chris Pearson | Hosted by ENTANET
6 comments ↓
As a long time Arsenal fan i have become increasingly worried about this Russian billionaire who has popped up out of nowhere – he is not there because he loves Arsenal (he is a united fan) so one can only assume it is to make more money…. which will undoubtedly lead to more ticket price hikes on what are already the most expensive tickets in the Premiership. His past also worries me – is it right that someone in his position should be allowed to even try and take over the club? The premiership is now on the verge of becoming something that is not about football nor its fans but mega rich people looking to get even richer by taking over any remotely succesful clubs! I would like to see the Government do something about this and press the FA for more action – Arsenal is the only top for club that isnt spending more than what it brings in – and that is how everyclub should be. A stand needs to be taken against Usmanov and any other Billionaires who are trying to cash in on the success of the Premiership. I know i speak for the vast majority of Arsenal fans when i say WE DONT NEED USMANOVS INVESTMENT *ESPECIALLY* WHEN YOU (The rest of this statement has been edited).
The government and FA have ot realise these people are pricing out long term fans of other clubs – and if they continue to aloow these foreign takeovers this will soon be a game only the rich can afford to go to week in week out.
Just a brief note to say that as an Arsenal fan, I am vehemently opposed to Mr Usmanov taking control of our club. Frankly, I would rather he wasn’t allowed to own any shares at all. As a fan, I like to watch my team play without having (how can I phrase this in a non-libellous manner?) moral issues with the sources who finance it.
There are other issues here – for example, the general commercialisation of the game referred to in James Rattigan’s post is spoiling football in numerous ways, but I feel there is a limited amount that can be done about that in a legal sense. In terms of Mr Usmanov’s ‘past’ (and I use the word euphemistically), I feel there is something that can be done; potentially by MPs and certainly by the FA. The FA have a test to determine whether the potential owner of a club is ‘fit and proper’. Mssrs Abramovitch and Shinawatra (at Chelsea and Manchester City respectively) have passed this test which makes me question who on earth would fail it. Should Mr Usmanov attempt to take over Arsenal, I feel it only right that this test should be applied in a manner which does not make a mockery of its name.
Dear All,
I write from Tokyo (on holiday) but I have to say that this development by Usmanov is seriously upsetting. I have been a long-time Arsenal fan, but have never felt the need to write an opinion on an Arsenal blog as the club has been run, and is run tremendously without my “two cents”. However, I ask that if we have ambassadors to countries who are there with the knowledge to pursue their job well, and moreover to recognise who the major players are in their said country; why are their views stricken from us the UK tax payer? We should be told whether the views are false or not.
Thanks Tom for proposing to raise this matter in the House. Along with most of your other bloggers I am very concerned about the motives of Mr Usmanov. Regardless of the unsettling and destabilising efect this may have on a club that has been a major part of my life for 40 years, I am astonished that a non-citizen of the UK can practise libel tourism over an issue that deserves to be in the public domain. Will the FA ever show any backbone in their dealings with these usurpers of our traditions?
The premiership has never been about the football! You’ll get the solidarity from football fans that you deserve. Personally I don’t think that there are enough corrupt wealthy people in the game yet. Richard Scudamore must be licking his lips… mmm….
Still, the Football League has Brian Mawhinney. Probably awaiting a call from Gordon any day now.
Dave Cameron, cut him in half and you’re left with a vacuum
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