Sport is very influential for politics as well as for society in the state. Soccer is the most popular world sport and government participation is momentous for soccer, fans and themselves. That is why we can discuss which facilities and possibilities does government provide for soccer. Despite spending on buildings and constructions, contribution in sport afford not only money. The connection between soccer and government is very tight and profitable for both sides. However, government's relation to soccer is different in different countries and parts of the world. For instance, soccer critically requires promotion to development of youth soccer - academies, street pitches, money, etc. The youth academies, where children practice do not have enough amount of money to provide all facilities to improve player's skills. Due to this, government is main contributor in development of youth soccer. As well, there are state campaigns and programs to combat drugs addiction, alcoholism and smoking with building sport grounds and organization of involvement teenagers in sport. Such campaign are positive to both sides - academies get what they need and government struggle with addictions. A vivid example of importance of government promotion in youth soccer is the Netherlands. Dutch soccer academies considered the best soccer schools for children in the world. Government has been making a major contribution to the development of children's soccer and as a result, lots of potential stars begin their career in the Netherlands. However, soccer is not just spending for government. FIFA or UEFA jointly with government decide which country will host and receive rights for the World Championship or European Championship. Obviously, such large occasions cause high financial transaction. For instance, host of the World Championship 2014 Brazil used to take money from budget for education and health for preparing and constructing stadiums. On the other hand, afterwards Brazil received $1 billion USD directly in their economy (FIFA.com). The government earns money, when their participation in soccer is active. Now we can see, how influential government's promotion in soccer is. Without no doubt, most of academies need support from government, which can provide requirements. Unfortunately, in some countries there are no such support and provision, what causes poor development of youth soccer. I invoke all states to be useful and build pitches, organize campaigns or programs, support academies, because it is valuable in self-improvement of our children.
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For soccer, as for others sports, fans are an integral part of the game. Soccer players confess, that game is harder without fan's support, that is why some oppositions have home and away matches. That means, fans are very valuable and bring great influence on final results. Furthermore, the fan sectors on the stadiums and fan's departments are officially organized and controlled by clubs or federations. However, nowadays, fan's support has a negative side as well. The history includes some events, when fan's active support transcended allowed. Offensive banners, obscene shouts, use of pyrotechnics and even deaths - polluted required and valuable fan's support and made it harmful instead of useful. For instance, terrible and important event, which brought huge influence to soccer history happened. In 1985, on 29 of May in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, during the European Cup Final between Juventus (Italy) and Liverpool (England) about 40 people died and 600 people were injured, The reason was, an hour before match, Liverpool fans damaged the fence, which separated both fan's sectors and created a neutral section. The tribune collapsed due to fans began to fight and throw missiles. The majority of victims were Italians and 14 English fans were convicted for manslaughter, because Liverpool's fans started violence. As a result, UEFA declared this tragedy as "the darkest hour in the history of the UEFA competitions". Moreover, the national team of England was suspended from European and world competitions for 5 years, English clubs were suspended from European competitions for 5 years, with Liverpool for 6 years ("Wikipedia"). That black spot in soccer history has had a huge influence, because England, which is "a mother of soccer", has not been assimilating and winning external tournaments since the ban. Today, English Premier League invites foreign coaches and players but it is still hard for national team and clubs to reach achievements internationally. Unfortunately, there are some other unpleasant actions which fans follow. For example, using of pyrotechnics has been becoming very popular and creates lots of uncomfortable situations during matches. Instead of large posters or new songs, fans prepare pyrotechnics performance to support their teams. One of these was performed during Ukrainian Premier League match between "Karpaty" (from Lviv) and "Shakhtar" (From Donetsk) while 648 explosions of pyrotechnics were heard and it became a world record. To be honest, such performances are fascinating and wonderful, but sometimes fans throw squibs on the pitch or even in the players. As well, pyrotechnics is dangerous as an entertainment, moreover while huge amount of people met. Actually, fans are very important component of team's achievements, however, clubs expect sane and adequate fans to support. Some of the fans do not understand, that their crazy and cruel behavior leads to fines for clubs or bans. Even, there is a ban, which prohibits viewers and fans during matches, because of the fan's behavior. Therefore, soccer organizations, FIFA, players and managers invoke fans to be polite and sane in support, because it is very valuable for teams.
"Transfer is the action taken whenever a player under contract moves between clubs" (Wikipedia). Transfers are made to move players to other clubs, which are calculating together, based on different factors. For example, some players are dissatisfied with their salary and playing time on the pitch, or they are interested in playing with more famous clubs, or even they can have conflicts with administration or coaches. However, another side also can set player for transfer when footballer violate the contract, shows poor behavior, or do not respect coach and teammates. Obviously, transfers are normal thing, however, nowadays transfer system leads to collapse. It is because, clubs, who are preparing transfer have "inconspicuous" secret agreements and the sum of sales and purchases reach extremely high, unbelievable and unjustifiable prices. As we look deeper, it is obviously seen, how values of players have risen through the past years. For instance, Alan Shearer, who was one of the most excellent and desirable strikers, was bought by Newcastle United (English Premier League club) just for £15 million (equivalent to £25 million today), which was the most expensive transfer at that time. However, this year for for a world transfer record-breaking €105 million (£89.3 million) 23 years old Paul Pogba joined Manchester United (wikipedia.com). This transfer was exactly too expensive for the young player and confusing for fans. Unfortunately, this is not the only one example of extremely high prices for players - the last 4 years were impregnated with crazy transfers for several players. Furthermore, high prices are not the only one shortcoming in transfer system. In 2013 Brazilian wonder child Neymar moved from Santos to Barcelona for €57.1 million. However, this price was suspicious and the prosecutor's office in Madrid began investigating the transfer fee that Barcelona paid for Neymar. President of FC Barcelona Sandro Rosell at that time was answering confidently that €57.1 million was exactly price paid for player. However, after long investigation, the truth was revealed - the real cost was €86.2 million and rest of the hidden money was get to Rosell. The day before, he resigned because of "unfair attacks", but is was clear that real reason was the machination (The Guardian). The transfer system is rising unclear money laundering and it is rising more every day. Exchanging players for extremely high prices between several clubs instead of real prices. Presidents sell player for €50 million and buy new player for €50 million, while both worth €15 million. For fans it is unattainable what is the aim of inflated prices. We can believe, that one day justice will prevail. WORK CITED:
This blog is going to be unusual, because I want to present you podcast about children and junior soccer with speaking guests. I hope, you will enjoy listening about several issues and interesting facts, that you will hear in following podcast. Speaking guests:
Questions to Timo:
Nowadays, salary system is very specific and strange in different countries. For example in Canada minimum wage is 2000$ per month, while in Ukraine it is 106$ per month. That means, when you are working in Canada and getting minimum wage you are available to provide yourself with everything that you need. When you are working in Ukraine and getting minimum wage it is almost impossible to live normal, and it is called "surviving". This high difference cause uncomfortable feelings for workers - that is the same in soccer . Furthermore, this problem is inside country salaries. Average soccer players salaries are extremely high. Between top soccer leagues in the world, average salary of English premier league player is the highest - about 300000$ per month. And now, you can imagine that some players get higher salaries, because that is only average wage. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, La Liga) and Lionel Messi (Argentina, La Liga) are the most paid players in the world - about 1750000$ per month. Some people can get crazy with those numbers, because it is impossible to believe, what is the reason. Nevertheless, Lionel Messi and his father were suspected of tax evasion during last years . Long term tribunals and chaos in the media were exhausting and finally, Leo and his father were found guilty and paid the fine. That means, people, who get tones of money are still hungry and they want more and more. However, it is not the greatest injustice. Governments allocate funds to Football Federations for football players rewards. It is very unfair for majority of nationals in poor countries, who are paying taxes and expecting rising of wage. Players, who are getting millions of dollars do not have to get bonuses or rewards from state treasury. There is very big injustice and difference between jobs and salaries. Why doctors, who save people's lives are getting pennies, while soccer players, who kick the balls are getting millions? Too high salaries pollute football's beauty and value, because fans, who are one of the main component are disappointed with this unfairness.
"Corruption - is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit" (Wikipedia). Pain and problem which attracted lots of governments and other official members now exist in the sport. Money-hungry people try to earn money whatever they do and wherever they are, neglecting their job duties and other people's work. Corruption in soccer is involved in the lower regional leagues or school leagues, as in the higher FIFA posts. It starts with bribery of referees and stakes in betting offices and ends with money tranche between federations and the officials what brings bad influence on general view of soccer. There was a big annoying corruption scandal with FIFA officials participation last year. According to "The Guardian", the main soccer representatives, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michele Platini were engaged into money laundering and falsification. Investigation by Federal prosecutors in Switzerland showed that in 2011 Blatter transferred about 2 million of franks on Platini's personal account identifying this as "for services rendered during the period from January 1999 to June 2002", what is already obviously suspicious and illegal. Another machination was done when countries for World Championships 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) were chosen. There was "falsification of votes" secret agreement before official voting that will give Russia (2018) and USA (2022) rights for carrying out World Championship. However, a week before voting, Platini, who was convinced by French president Sarkosi, with his "high-powered group", breaking "secret agreement", changed votes for Qatar instead of USA. All those machinations were found by investigation and suspects were detained - Blatter and company were suspended from duties for 90 days and then arrested. Furthermore, not only high-powered officials are involved into corruption systems. Repeatedly, referees in first European leagues and regional inside leagues are bribed. Football club, which has enough money, offer to referees a bill asking for good and profitable judging for this team. That means if your opponent is unfair, unconscionable and rich enough your team will be condemned and very likely will lose. Prices at county leagues are thousands of euros/dollars (also depends which country or league it is) per game. Fortunately, bribery in the highest European championships (for example Champions League) is reduced and rarely appears. However, there are still some accidents and prices for bribery are extremely high - hundreds of thousands of euros/dollars. Sport is beautiful and I think there is no place for corruption, machinations and money laundering. Nowadays, soccer become business, controlled by oligarchy, money and rich people, what is not expected by fans and original, correct way of doing sport. There are lots of people, like Federations presidents, secretaries, commissions, delegation members, referees, club owners and presidents and even players, who follows corruption system. I hope, that money in soccer would become useful, clear and finally, we will get our favorite game, without corruption, machinations and bribery.
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AuthorDanylo (Daniel) Lozhovskyy. Soccer is one of the main parts of my life, but it has its own shortcomings which I want to share with you. ArchivesCategories |