[Albion] How would you react if a Middle Eastern country took over the Albion?

[Bozza]

I spoke to a few United fans at Wembley and asked the question expecting most to go for Ratcliffe. Not one did, they all wanted Qatar money and a return to glory.

Whilst absolutely not defending that stance I wonder if, for fans of the big clubs, there's an element of "if you can't beat them, join them" with that sort of response.

We know it's highly unlikely that we'll ever be at that kind of level, so most of us don't have an insatiable greed for all the money and all the players.

 

[borat]

Haha, knew that would draw a comment. I am not going to argue politics as you well know that if comparing states in that area there is a lot of controversy everywhere. And anyway, concern means relating to a matter of importance. I stand by my comment.

This is an amazing interview on the topic (Lex Fridman podcast)

 

[doogie004]

Would of had another midfielder in by now I bet ,instead of searching around in lidls for one

 

[borat]

Loads of folk would be secretly happy with the spending, their moral compasses parked forever. Look at the Geordies, also Manure supporters desperate for Qatar to beat Ratcliffe. “Well, everyone else is doing it”.

I like to think that I’d call it quits for good.

Not just Arab owners, Russian mates of Putin would also disgust me.

I think people need to distinguish between State backed ownership and individuals from a country

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Imagine doing the journey all over again with FC Brighton of Albion.

Far rather that than stick with a petrostate sportswashed Al-Albion

 

[Hotchilidog]

Whilst absolutely not defending that stance I wonder if, for fans of the big clubs, there's an element of "if you can't beat them, join them" with that sort of response.

We know it's highly unlikely that we'll ever be at that kind of level, so most of us don't have an insatiable greed for all the money and all the players.

I think there is an element of that. The one United fan I know is pretty much of this opinion.

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

This is an amazing interview on the topic (Lex Fridman podcast)

I cannot watch this right now as in hospital, but I can tell you that I am sympathetic to both the Jews and the Palestinians. The Jews were put in a terrible place by the events of the second world war and unfortunately the result is a tragedy for the Palestinians. They say hope springs eternal but there seems little hope at the moment in this situation, the Jews fighting an existential fight for survival surrounded by states that want to wipe them out, and the Palestinians similarly affected by the great powers creation of the state of Israel. I do not know the answer, I am unqualified to judge either too harshly, but I do know that I regard all men as my brothers and know also there must be some kind of peaceful solution. I pray that peace will come and that both sides will eventually reach that point.

 

[Official Old Man]

Did we walk away when Archer & Beloti had it? We protested, we marched, we invaded the pitch but at the end of the day we still paid our 1&6 to watch OUR team.
And I think that is what will happen. Protest marches, anti state banners (outside the ground) & lots of protests when the new owners turn up. But it's OUR team and we will still turn up every Thursday & Sunday.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

'Just Stop Oil' as shirt sponsors?

 

[Horses Arse]

Usually defending their country from terrorist attacks !

I don’t find fault with what anyone wears I couldn’t care less but in Saudi if you’re a woman and you don’t wear the clothes you are expected you can get beaten or worse . That’s the type of society it is .

Perhaps you should do a bit more research about what goes on in Saudi and some of the other Middle East countries and their human rights abuses before jumping on the only democratic country in that area with a free press and a right to protest .

You also might want to take a look at the latest happiness surveys worldwide which puts Israel into the top 20 countries in the world for happiness for its population which included votes by its Arab and Christian populations living in the main parts of the country ( not disputed areas like Gaza Strip )

I don’t think any other country in the Middle East was in the top 20 .

I’m not defending Israel or saying it’s perfect , all military personnel make mistakes from time to time , look at my own country and even England have been accused of war crimes - however the big difference with Israel is that it’s permanently at war because it’s being attacked or attacks planned every day by militants .

I personally think the IDF is very restrained and targeted given what it has to deal with most of the time .

Despicable country, no better than those surrounding them. Democratic? Don't make me laugh. Democratic for the demographic that they massacre in the name of I guess.

 

[Diablo]

Would of had another midfielder in by now I bet ,instead of searching around in lidls for one

Buy em from reduced to clear shelf at Lidl , sell em at full waitrose prices...Good business model !! Tony seems to like !!

 

[Westdene Seagull]

What if it was Israel?

You mean the country with a far right government that likes to kill Palestinian children ? Hmmm .... let mè think .... yep, walk away.

 

[Weststander]

I think people need to distinguish between State backed ownership and individuals from a country

If someone's a close mate of genocidal Putin and gained/retained their wealth through the same corrupt state, imho they're part n parcel of the regime.

An analogy would be Krups taking over a football club 1933 to 1945, they were very much on the side of the murderous Nazi state, prospering from it.

 

[Slum_Wolf]

I spoke to a few United fans at Wembley and asked the question expecting most to go for Ratcliffe. Not one did, they all wanted Qatar money and a return to glory.

Did you really expect the glory hunting ****s to say anything else? Ratcliffe has hardly set the footballing world alight with FC Lausanne-Sport or OGC Nice.

 

[Icy Gull]

Did you really expect the glory hunting ****s to say anything else? Ratcliffe has hardly set the footballing world alight with FC Lausanne-Sport or OGC Nice.

You have a point, didn’t he also fund a shit America’s Cup challenge?
I’d take him every time over an Arab state though

 

[portlock seagull]

Sod it, can’t beat ‘em join ‘em. Spent entire life fighting for the underdog and morally right but feck me if it’s not a constant fight against the tide so sod it probably just enjoy mocking Chelsea and co as we pay billions for the latest person instead and win title after title because we’re “best”.

 

[Slum_Wolf]

You have a point, didn’t he also fund a shit America’s Cup challenge?
I’d take him every time over an Arab state though

Yep, https://www.ineos.com/sports/

If the only other options are Saudi Arabia/Qatar then I guess Ratcliffe becomes slightly more palatable ...

 

[Gully Forever]

You’d be in then?

At the moment, Like most of us, I'm happy to watch us beat the system as we are.

 

[birthofanorange]

I genuinely would walk away, undoubtedly with a sad heart and a teary eye, after being 'Brighton' for 55 years, but I could in no way countenance buying our way to the top, nor being owned by those that simply treat teams as baubles and playthings, let alone the very dubious nature of (some of ) their regimes.
Nah, local stuff would take precedence and I might even move over to crown green bowling.

 

[Live by the sea]

Despicable country, no better than those surrounding them. Democratic? Don't make me laugh. Democratic for the demographic that they massacre in the name of I guess.

I suggest you educate yourself so you don’t keep sounding like a complete prat ,