There is no silver lining or good news to be had from this foul virus but, long term, perhaps there is a shred of good news to be had. Carlo Ancelotti speaking in the Sun today has warned that football's gravy train will fly off the rails in the fallout from the coronavirus. He believes the sport is on the brink of a huge global downturn. And that looks set to spell the end of the era of huge transfer fees and ridiculously large wages.
It has left clubs at all levels staring at financial meltdown in the face of spiralling costs with no real income. Leagues and clubs are desperately scrambling to find a way to finish seasons to ensure they claim the BILLIONS in TV and matchday revenue needed to stay afloat. And he predicted football is set to go from boom to bust before our eyes. He also predicted that soon the economy will change and, at all levels, TV rights will be worth less. Footballers and coaches will earn less and tickets will cost less because people will have less money. Let's get ready for a general contraction, he said.
He also rubbishes the claims of some clubs that they will need three weeks preparation before they can play again describing it as bullshit, a joke and a false myth. As for the claim that to finish the season would be asking too much of the players, Ivor's personal opinion is that teams have squads, so use them to rotate and spread the load. It's the same for everyone and some promising kids might get a chance that they otherwise might never have had.
Long ago I predicted that football was going to implode because of the obscene money swilling about in the game, going to everyone except the long suffering fans who rarely get rewarded for their loyalty and support. Well maybe that day has dawned and I, for one, will be pleased if it happens. It is just so tragic that it might take a deadly pandemic to bring it about. Good health to you all and your friends and families. Keep well.
It has left clubs at all levels staring at financial meltdown in the face of spiralling costs with no real income. Leagues and clubs are desperately scrambling to find a way to finish seasons to ensure they claim the BILLIONS in TV and matchday revenue needed to stay afloat. And he predicted football is set to go from boom to bust before our eyes. He also predicted that soon the economy will change and, at all levels, TV rights will be worth less. Footballers and coaches will earn less and tickets will cost less because people will have less money. Let's get ready for a general contraction, he said.
He also rubbishes the claims of some clubs that they will need three weeks preparation before they can play again describing it as bullshit, a joke and a false myth. As for the claim that to finish the season would be asking too much of the players, Ivor's personal opinion is that teams have squads, so use them to rotate and spread the load. It's the same for everyone and some promising kids might get a chance that they otherwise might never have had.
Long ago I predicted that football was going to implode because of the obscene money swilling about in the game, going to everyone except the long suffering fans who rarely get rewarded for their loyalty and support. Well maybe that day has dawned and I, for one, will be pleased if it happens. It is just so tragic that it might take a deadly pandemic to bring it about. Good health to you all and your friends and families. Keep well.