I LAUD the attempts of Global FC and the new United City FC in sorting out their respective clubs. But how they resolve that remains to be seen. We will give them their so-called 10-day honeymoon plus-plus.
More than ever, it is incumbent upon our football officials—national and regional—to fix things. How the sport moves forward really depends on how the current flawed system is fixed.
We have previously talked about accountability, the need for a better understanding and implementing of marketing, public relations, and media strategies to the game across the board.
Look. What I am saying is not rocket science or something I came up after waking up in the morning. This is practiced all over the world. Only in this country do you have such a state of the game that the phrase “only in the Philippines” isn’t funny but absolutely disgusting.
It is hard to see all these problems plaguing football.
To wit, some people who have their own clubs are either with the national team or certain branches of the federation.
Is England’s Gareth Southgate involved with any club at the moment? No.
Is World Cup champion Didier Deschamps of France with any other team? No.
Is Golden Dragons’ Coach Park Hang-seo with any other team or affiliated with any other organization in Vietnam?
You must see the point by now.
Now, you have conflict of interest.
Now, instead of penalizing clubs that do not pay their coaches and players wages, people look the other way. What is galling is the fact, they had to wait for the disgruntled players to post on social media or for people in media to write about it. Hiding behind statutes to protect one’s self is a disgrace. It does not hide from the fact the word “professional” is just a word, but not practiced.
Furthermore, nonpayment of players has been an issue for many clubs. The pandemic isn’t an excuse. The issues have plagued club football since 2011. I actually have a list of all the players of a certain club and how many months of pay they are owed.
Why aren’t club owners vetted? As we previously wrote, if when you apply for a credit card, loan, or even purchase a car, they check if you can pay. So why not football?
Why don’t we even know the owners? Why are the players wondering why the logos look similar? What exactly are the businesses these entities engage in?
It is general knowledge that the owners of clubs like Liverpool, Paris Saint Germain, and Real Madrid to name but a few are engaged in.
Isn’t it a source of comfort when you know you are backed by a company that you know is engaged in a certain tangible or known business?
It is perplexing when you interview someone and he says he isn’t the club owner. That smacks of shady business.
Shouldn’t it be automatic that all clubs have published organization charts, office and post office addresses, including a structure? Where are the business papers?
You walk into any restaurant all their licenses to operate including certificates of inspection are on display for all to see.
Of course, you cannot display that on a pitch, but it would be nice to see that not only on their social media but also when it is needed to inquire.
You need people of integrity and with no agendas. And certainly no room for conflict of interest.
I wonder…if Fifa stops sending money…will all these people still be around?
The growth of club football is every bit as vital as the grassroots, college, national team, and women’s football. One cannot function without the other.
It would be nice to have another “Miracle of Hanoi” but that is like a band aid solution.
No doubt that would be good. And yet, it’s like throwing a fresh coat of paint on a building that has problems with its foundation. And you know that isn’t going to last.
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