Read on Twitter
1/12
I've been reading things like this.... https://twitter.com/MichaelChopra/status/1289225064898940928
I've been reading things like this.... https://twitter.com/MichaelChopra/status/1289225064898940928
2/12
And this.... https://twitter.com/mjshrimper/status/1289882182115160065
And this.... https://twitter.com/mjshrimper/status/1289882182115160065
3/12
I've been researching & writing about football Gulf region & football for more than 20 yrs. Some recent examples include.... https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/1690396/20171031-Privatisation-of-Saudi-state-assets-set-to-fuel-sports-boom
I've been researching & writing about football Gulf region & football for more than 20 yrs. Some recent examples include.... https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/1690396/20171031-Privatisation-of-Saudi-state-assets-set-to-fuel-sports-boom
4/12
And....
Europe's flat-footed response to the rise of Asian sports https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/1708061/20171122-Europe-s-flat-footed-response-to-the-rise-of-Asian-sports
And....
Europe's flat-footed response to the rise of Asian sports https://www.ejinsight.com/eji/article/id/1708061/20171122-Europe-s-flat-footed-response-to-the-rise-of-Asian-sports
6/12
Nearly 11 years ago, I wrote this for Reuters....
East is East
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate-uk/2009/12/31/the-business-of-sport-predictions-for-2010/
Nearly 11 years ago, I wrote this for Reuters....
East is East
http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate-uk/2009/12/31/the-business-of-sport-predictions-for-2010/
7/12
Over last 10 years, I've also spent a considerable amount of time working in or with people & organisations from across ALL(!!!) parts of the Gulf region....
Over last 10 years, I've also spent a considerable amount of time working in or with people & organisations from across ALL(!!!) parts of the Gulf region....
8/12
I am also from the North East. Was born & brought-up in the centre of a town there, in fact right opposite the ground (not a stadium or venue, we always called it a ground) of the local football club....
I am also from the North East. Was born & brought-up in the centre of a town there, in fact right opposite the ground (not a stadium or venue, we always called it a ground) of the local football club....
9/12
On Chopra's tweet: it's off the mark in many ways BUT his words are not without resonance & shouldn't be dismissed....
On Chopra's tweet: it's off the mark in many ways BUT his words are not without resonance & shouldn't be dismissed....
10/12
....the North East has long been suffering economic decline, which successive British governments have failed to address. That NUFC fans have had to look towards a foreign government, irrespective of the consequences, is a damning indictment of British policy failure...
....the North East has long been suffering economic decline, which successive British governments have failed to address. That NUFC fans have had to look towards a foreign government, irrespective of the consequences, is a damning indictment of British policy failure...
11/12
....for NUFC fans targeting PL, Qatar etc, they are not to blame for last week's outcome. But for those targeting NUFC fans, they are not to blame for years of neglect which their region has to confront on a daily basis....
....for NUFC fans targeting PL, Qatar etc, they are not to blame for last week's outcome. But for those targeting NUFC fans, they are not to blame for years of neglect which their region has to confront on a daily basis....
12/12
For all concerned, balanced assessment & solutions are required not judgement & condemnation. English football & Britain in general face harsh & inconvenient truths that must be addressed. Thus far, we haven't successfully done this. Trolling on Twitter is not the answer.
For all concerned, balanced assessment & solutions are required not judgement & condemnation. English football & Britain in general face harsh & inconvenient truths that must be addressed. Thus far, we haven't successfully done this. Trolling on Twitter is not the answer.
Some interesting responses to this thread. One question to ask is: where was GB government when all of this was happening? There can be no doubt that because a foreign state was involved, GB government was engaged with (& probably influencing) key stakeholders. Perhaps....
....tellingly, parliament is in recess, hence no PMQs. Downing Street can hide behind the summer & behind Premier League. However, such an absence of democratic influence or governance often goes with the territory of globalisation & cross-border transactions.
