Sustainability in Football(Soccer)

Football(Soccer) is no doubt the greatest sport in the world. From Diego Maradona to Leonel Messi, Pele to Ronaldo, people worshiped the footballers. However, is the greatest sport in the world sustainable? Today, there are several critical issues around the football. On the other hand, great contributions were made from football to the sustainability.

African Football Problem
One of the major concern of the football comes from less developed countries, especially from Africa or South America. As many footballers from those countries made successful careers on abroad, children are inspired by them. However, what they were inspired were money and fame. Today, thousands of children rather play football then go to school. As a result, great many children are left behind on education.

 

They may become a great footballer, but education is still needed

Education is not the only concern of these children are focusing on football. Another issue is coming from the humanity question. Around age of 16, if they were "lucky" they maybe able to go to Europe, where their dream can be true. However, this is very similar to human trafficking. They were signed(or sold) to the European football teams as "young prospector"

A good news came out  three years ago, FIFA, the international governing body of the football and major European football clubs agreed not to sign players who are under 16 from Africa. This is not the move to make them suffer in Africa. This is move to make them stay at home, having education and prepare them to be greater football players. 

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-chiefs-to-tackle-hidden-trade-in-africas-children-860504.html

Supporting the sustainability of Children around the World - F.C Barcelona 

The top European football clubs are one of the richest groups in the world. They make millions of Euros by contracting sponsors. However, F.C Barcelona from Spain made an unique example. instead of putting logos of their major sponsor on their uniform, they put UNICEF, United Nations -International Children Emergency Fund- logo. Moreover, they made contribution to the UNICEF. This is a great example of the top European club is supporting the sustainability of the children around the world.

Total Failure of Sustainability - Serie A, Italian league

 At this moment, English Premier League could be considered the top league in the world. It has the biggest budget and attention around the world. It was Serie A, Italian league a decade ago. Today, the Seire A is suffering from the failure of sustainability itself. What happened? Although there were other issues such as clubs' performances, what the cause of declining of the Italian league was unsustainable of the clubs. Top clubs such as A.C Milan, Internazionale, A.S Roma or Juventus were busy with signing players with ridiculous amount of money instead of investing for future. When match fixing scandal hit the Italian league in 2006, They just could not handle their money and different environment of matches and incomes. As a result, many Italian football clubs are still suffering. 

What can be done? The major problem of the clubs in Italy is connected to the budget that they just can not handle. Since they experienced mishandling money, many clubs are now focusing on youth team program. It is a slow progress, but it gives bright future with sustainability of the clubs. As many young footballers started to play in the their clubs, they are most like to stay with the teams for a long time. As a result, they can be the symbol of the team and more fans will pay attention to them. 

English Premier League - Looks Good, Unless...

 Last decade was the greatest days for the English Premier League(EPL). Billions of Pounds were poured into the EPL as the rules for owning clubs were less strict than other countries. Since Chelsea F.C was purchased by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, billionaires from around the world paid attention to buy EPL clubs. Last year, John Henry, the owner of Boston Red Sox bought the EPL's Liverpool F.C. As a result, EPL is now the richest football league in the World.

 

Liverpool's motto "You'll Never Walk Alone" True, with the Red Sox.

However, if we change the point of view on EPL, it is not pretty anymore. when the clubs were priced as billions of Pounds and spending another millions of Pounds for managing club, they are playing football on the top of huge dept. Last year, two major EPL teams' debts were over 700 Million Pounds. How can we say EPL is financially sustainable when there are more than billions of debts to cover? Besides, this is exactly same ten years ago in Italy.