Fall Of Soccer

The burning of cold, hard cash is fast exhausting my love for watching soccer. It is
now far from the free-flowing style of football we've seen in the past, and is fast losing
its attractiveness. Gone were the days where soccer fanatics let their eyes feast on the
trickery of maradona or pele, but instead, swarms of girls are screaming at the sight of
beckham playing one of his lacklustre games. What is it then, that now defines the beauty of
the sport?

Indeed, the crowd who enjoys watching the ball bounce on the field is fast shrinking
as compared to those who thrive on watching their dollars placed on the unpredictability of
the round ball, bounce up. Whether is it the old-aged, or the under-aged, numerous soccer
bets are placed all around the globe, greatly raising the stakes even before the match
kicks-off. It hurts me to have soccer tarnished with the image of it being a quick way to
make money. A foolish and meaningless activity indeed. Instead of soccer being a delightful
sport to watch, it aches to see it fast evolving into a lucrative business opportunity for
many. It has always been said that "money is the root of all evil". While betting is only
one tiny slice of this big cake which businessmen around the world share, it is not hard to
predict that if this cake increases in size over the next few decades, it may be too
difficult for this sport to swallow and eventually, choking to its extinction.

So who has injected the money-virus into the soccer system? I dare not name too
many, for one is fearful enough. You know the group of people I am referring to...Those who
enjoy such success in their business to the extent of resorting to sitting in their office
and watch their bank money jump every second in order to kill time. Indeed, I may be
creating an imaginary scenario but it is really hard to figure out what Mr. Roman Abramovich
does in his office when he can afford to splurge a billion dollar on Chelsea and terminate
his team's contract with Umbro at will with a 85 million dollar loss. He alone has
monopolised the soccer market though his motive is unclear. Despite claiming his love for
Chelsea before his takeover deal, he obviously has no love and respect for the sport, let
alone foresight on his actions. For selfish reasons, he sat in his office, quietly
assembling his dream team, using money as the bait. He watched what he wanted at the stands
each week, his team cruising through the season thus far. Empowered by money, he seldom
misses out on what he wants, including silverware. But what value has it? Big name signings
like Portugese Player of The Year - Ricardo Cavarlho, Dutch League Top Scorer - Mateja
Kezman, talented youngsters Joe Cole, Arjen Robben, Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge. Certainly, I
feel ashamed for these players. They came at the sight of money, for hope of joining a World
Selection Best XI and an express train to silverware. Is money what the players are playing
for? Indeed money has blinded them. True enough, they have succeeded in their winning ways
relatively easily, with the talent in abundance throughout the squad.

For me, the primary motivation for each player should be the love for the team and
the club, and not silverware and money. Each individual should concentrate on doing his best
for the club, putting in hundred percent commitment and through the process, improve on
their game. Chelsea was once a club battling fiercely for a place in the Champions League.
Players like Frank Lampard, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, John Terry, Jesper Gronkjaer and
Gianfranco Zola have all fought for the ticket to the top european competition in Europe.
Through the years, Chelsea has in turn, groomed them into class acts. This is what Chelsea
can boast about. This is what building a team is all about. Yet, it hurts indeed to see the
clubs being robbed of their indispensible players; all their pride and hard work diminished
to only a few million dollars to add to their bankroll. Is this how you want the future of
soccer to be like? Besides being a huge setback to clubs competing with a tighter budget, it
only bores the soccer fanatics to watch the cup contenders revolving around those same few
teams.

In places were people cannot afford a Addidas Roteiro Matchball Replica, locals play
the game for hours in a relaxed environment, giving birth to immeasureable joy. Playing
football for them, is the best activity around. Children engage in bursts of laughter and
joy while stroking the ball around wih their precise touches - something which has passed
extinction in the mordern city. While the word "soccer" remain unchanged, this sport at the
professional level has transformed into a very disunited company. Staff and managers are
being sacked at a regular basis, giving them monetary compensation which could possibly last
him for life. Managers playing mind games with each other, suppressing sportsmanship and
professionalism to its lowest level is a common sight, with a mini hate-triangle developing
between Fergie, Wenger, and Mourinho. Tactfully crafted, yet offensive and insulting
comments are constantly hurled across London and Manchester giving the media has plenty of
rumours to feed on to fill the tabloids. It is also hardly surprising to find dressing room
mess-ups, where it was famously reported that beckham was "given the boot" on his
million-dollar-face by Fergie and an Arsenal player was said to have splashed hot soup on
Fergie. Whether these incidents depict the truth, the mere fact that it is lingering about
on the lips of many disgusts me.

Hail, welcome the days where what the players say has zero credibility. Freely, they
pledge their loyalty and future to the club over the news and the next day they're shaking
hands, receiving their new jerseys from the manager of another club. So just how much
integrity is left on the pitch? It is also hard to imagine any of it left outside the pitch,
especially when players like Papa Bouba Diop reportedly stole a necklace during World Cup
2002, England players involved in a sex scandal, Lee Bowyer beating up an Asian and most
recently, Jermaine Pennant jailed. Further away from home, while the Argentinian teams have
their weekly fixtures, fans have theirs too. Of all places, they almost regularly choose the
stadium to arrange for a "Fans Fight Time" and the police are almost certainly invited too.
Thanks guys, now I totally have nothing to defend my case with, that soccer isn't such a
violent and dirty sport when my mother challenges me. Oh and can someone tell Diouf to stop
diving and spitting every alternative week? Please kindly remind him that there is such a
thing called "Slow-motion-replay".

Of course, the ugly side of football compiles to a never-ending list and I don't
want to sound like I totally hate football. But these recent trends is even more
heartbreaking for people who have a burning passion for football and I'm included. Just like
Mr. Prince of Madrid - Raul almost and maybe will single-handedly cause the downfall of Real
Madrid, money will do likewise.