Is Saudi Football a threat to the European leagues?

It seems to be gaining a bit more traction than the attempts of China, USA and Japan in the past. Probably more to do with internet news. Ultimately it'll fail in a similar way although not before they secure themselves a world cup and con the rest of the world that it's a great place to be and they aren't a quasi terrorist state who execute women and chuck gay lads off buildings.

Even if they did though, does it really matter? Plenty top players left England during the European ban. There was still a national team and top division football every week.
 
Vandle said:
Ultimately it'll fail in a similar way although not before they secure themselves a world cup and con the rest of the world that it's a great place to be and they aren't a quasi terrorist state who execute women and chuck gay lads off buildings.
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Not entirely sure about this line of thinking. Its not going to con anyone. We all know what these places are like and what they do to certain groups. Ultimately though we simply don't care that much. The world is a horrible place in so many ways but unless it directly affects us we don't care. Hell, we don't even care enough not to support crappy companies if it saves us a few quid.
 
i think they will be held back by the fact that nobody much wants to live out there, you can get thrown in jail for incredibly petty reasons and their governments are viewed as less honest than Boris J being questioned about parties
 
So now Brozovic is off to Saudi Arabia.

It's not just one or two.... The window is just open and we've probably got at least 5.

Neves (in their prime)
Kante
Bemzema
Partey (not confirmed but only 30)
Brozovic (only 30)
Ziyech (in their prime)

And there are other Chelsea players rumoured. Koulibaly etc....

This is just the first window. Imagine what it's gonna look like over the space of the next 5-10 + years.
 
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The two leagues are unlikely to ever be in the same standing so they aren't a direct threat in that aspect.

However, it's just the start and it's everything surrounding SA and the impact this could have down the line that's the issue.
 
Shamikebab said:
So 6 players, 5 of which are 30 or over. It's a 'one last contract get some dolla' thing. Not sure why you're pushing this so hard. The fact that you wrote Ziyech in his prime... :cry:
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Exactly. They haven't bought a single super star player who is in anything like their prime. These are all either at the end of their careers or second tier players that no one will even think about once they are out there.
 
It will be interesting to see how many players care about a competitive league / European competition and how many care about $$$$$$$$$.

Son has seemed to indicate he’d turn down the money.
 
I don't see it as a threat at all. I want to watch NUFC, the premier league, and the CL.

If the standard of every team dropped after Saudi Arabia poached the top 10 players from every team in Europe I wouldn't care. As long as the PL remains competitive, I'm not bothered whether it's the best national league in the world or the worst. It's the one my team plays in.
 
gingergundog said:
I don't imagine most players in their prime will be playing in Saudi, maybe some players past their best but its not going to change much. The only bad thing is these states getting fingers into what ever they feel like.

Neville having a pop.

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The same guy that's spreading his cheeks for the qataris in the hope they buy his old club has a problem with Saudi clubs buying players? Well I never.
 
Doobedoo said:
He’s right though isn’t he?
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He is but he's a hypocrite.

I remember when the Saudi takeover of Newcastle happened and we had the likes of him and Shearer saying it would open the door for conversations on human rights issues in SA etc, not heard a peep from either of them since on it. They either don't care or they've been told by the broadcasters to ignore the gigantic elephant in the room.

If anything, it's arguably worse now and demonstrates the effect of sportswashing.
 
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Doobedoo said:
What are the Qataris guilty of exactly?
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Similar atrocities to all ruling regimes in all countries. They are just far less bothered about hiding it or dressing it up. They also have a pretty awful record on LGBT rights which are the topic de jour.

I would personally say that the likes of the US are far worse that Qatar in many ways but its all a load of whataboutism really. All countries are awful if it benefits them.
 
Ayahuasca said:
He is but he's a hypocrite.

I remember when the Saudi takeover of Newcastle happened and we had the likes of him and Shearer saying it would open the door for conversations on human rights issues in SA etc, not heard a peep from either of them since on it. They either don't care or they've been told by the broadcasters to ignore the gigantic elephant in the room.

If anything, it's arguably worse now and demonstrates the effect of sportswashing.
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You know right that our own government are selling the Saudis fighter jets and what not so they can bomb poor little Yemeni citizens. Helps the economy though right. We are all hypocrites don’t fool yourself.
 
Doobedoo said:
You know right that our own government are selling the Saudis fighter jets and what not so they can bomb poor little Yemeni citizens. Helps the economy though right. We are all hypocrites don’t fool yourself.
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Yeah, I'm aware, that wasn't the point though. It's the likes of Neville stating the takeover would open the door for more open and honest conversations on those issues. It hasn't and sportwashing is in full effect.

In your example, you would only be a hypocrite if you openly support the government selling arms to SA and pretending it has some positive sides like "open and honest conversations".

It never does, the more power you give them, the more they can cover it up.
 
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Doobedoo said:
So Neville is solely responsible for these conversations and what is that got to do with the point he’s making?
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Where did I say he was solely responsible? It proves he's a hypocrite and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut on certain topics, as he clearly doesn't understand that giving an oil state more power and control over a long-running institution in this country is never going to lead to more open and honest conversations on the issues. Maybe the ones saying that were just being naive though you'd expect they know what sportswashing entails.
 
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Ayahuasca said:
Where did I say he was solely responsible? It proves he's a hypocrite and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut on certain topics, as he clearly doesn't understand that giving an oil state more power and control over a long-running institution in this country is never going to lead to more open and honest conversations on the issues.
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Boo hoo. But still his point is a valid one we should be scrutinising these transfer dealings, not that anything is going to happen. Football sold its soul too late to turn back.
 
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