BF2S Forums Sport

Jinto-sk wrote:

Ok to take a break from all the terrorists and stuff in the Middle East lets have a debate about sport

PLEASE NO FLAMING - USA SPORTS ARE SHIT/EUROPEAN SPORTS ARE SHIT ETC

Ok to get the ball rolling

I do not think that Glaziers/ Abramovich should have been allowed to purchase UK football clubs

Comments/Thoughts Please

I'm an American and I agree. English clubs (Manchetser United especially), should remain in English hands. That's your past time. The worst part, most Americans don't like soccer, why is a yank trying to buy it? Pure money I would guess, no love of the sport.

He does not know Joga Bonito.

Money has no country.  It stops at no borders.
How are you going to prevent these purchases?  Ask Blair to take time out of his day to craft a law about foreign ownership of football clubs, and have it debated/voted in Parliament?

Unfortunately, such a law would probably be challenged and knocked down internationally.
National interests are being suborned by financial interests.
This is what the GATT was all about, starting after WWII.  It gained lots of steam in the 80s & 90s with all the conservative governments in the rich countries.  It sounds so harmless when they phrase it like "removing barriers to trade" (who could oppose that?  sounds like a good idea!)  That's what NAFTA is about, that's what the EU is about, that's what the WTO is about: removing barriers to trade.
Translation: disabling protectionism, removing a nation's ability to defend its national interests.  Or, in the case you are describing (football clubs), its national assets. 
Trying to prevent foreign ownership of English football clubs would probably get challenged at the WTO, and Britain would face sanctions.