Nasir Janjua:
Recently, a claim has been made by certain groups that mosques across the UK are being funded by Wahhabi Arab-Muslims. There is no evidence to suggest that this claim is based on any truth and it is, therefore, completely unfounded. It appears that certain factions of the far-right or anti-Islam sympathisers are using deceit in an attempt to represent the Muslims and the building of mosques as a tool to spread extremism. Enough about extremism, however. It appears that the Saudis are not actually investing in, or funding, mosques but in something that the majority of the British non-Muslim population consider to be very much part of the culture.
It seems that the Arabs, as well as citizens of other countries, are finding a new pastime to spend money on. Something that is seen by many as a religion, an interest that is strongly followed by a lot of the EDL, the BNP, something that unites all religions for banter and entertainment, as well as commitment. Like a religion, many Brits make a pilgrimage to follow it every week...football.
With the millions being spent in football, capitalism has had a somewhat back and forth affair with the beautiful game, especially in England. It has enabled us to catch up to the big European clubs, such AC Milan, funded by Italian Prime Minister and media mogul, Silvio Berlusconi. It has also, however, put strain on smaller clubs such as Portsmouth.
With the current state of the economy, the big clubs themselves have suffered. Clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United have been forced to restrain themselves during the transfer windows. Arsenal themselves have been unable to fund replacements for an injury plagued side, whilst Manchester United have been unable to replace key players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. The financial crisis has hit clubs hard despite the wealthy owners, such as Liverpool's American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who themselves have had to restrict the amount a club with the history and reputation of Liverpool has slipped out of the top four.
Additionally, Manchester United and their respective fans are on bad terms, due to a controversial takeover by American businessman David Glazer. The fans have been proven to be correct as the Glazers seem unwilling to support the team with funds, as well as struggling to help sustain a club with the calibre of Manchester United.
Troubled times, then, for both elite English clubs, as well as the smaller ones. However, there is one beacon of hope... the Arab world. Fans of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man U should certainly welcome the benefit from the financial muscle of Arab businessman. In fact, it would be safe to say that many football fans, who may have associations, as well as sympathy with, the likes of the English Defence League or the BNP, are crying out for the very Arab's they claim to hate to invest in their club to make then bigger.
Take new high-fliers, Manchester City. Currently, Khaldoon Al Mubarak has worked wonders for Man City, bringing a class of footballer and quality usually associated with Barcelona. In fact, it was Mubarak’s millions that saved the illustrious club from being close to liquidation after the previous owner, Thaksin Shinawata, was found guilty of corruption. With the Arabs funding Manchester City, the mighty big-four looks to have been conquered.
Whilst cynics suggest that a club has stormed the league funded by money, and it's unfair on teams that have earned their way there without the cash flow of Manchester City, then we have to look at our Western ideals. This is capitalism.
The top four usually stay in the top four because they make money due to the Champions League, making them distance themselves from the rest anyway, be it through finances or building a bigger following. That in itself isn't fair, so for another club to get a cash injection the way Manchester City have to catch up with the big four, I think it certainly levels the playing field. Why should the big four runaway with it and create such a massive gap between the rest?
Mubarak has nothing to gain from managing Man City. His only goal is to place a positive influence of the Arabs, as well as fulfil his interest in sport (as well as being the chairman of Manchester City, he was a key player in creating the beautiful Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix).
Khaldoon has often spoken of his commitment to both the academy, and to understanding the proud heritage of the club and its fans. As he says, “The fans are the heart and soul of this club, that's one of the most rewarding aspects of being involved with Manchester City.”
By doing this he has made the league far more interesting, and introduced a quality of football player that seems reluctant to come to England. Whilst the English Premier League was seen by many, including myself, as the best league in the world prior to the Arab businessmen taking over, the club has improved it further and has provided another prospect of sustainability for the league, especially considering that the majority of player purchases have been within the country, so the money is also being distributed largely to other English clubs. As a neutral, I'm all for it.
"Football's not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that." Bill Shankley
Finally, it is a worthy statement to advise that the very people who claim to hate the Arabs, their culture and religion are benefiting, or would be willing to cry out for a wealthy Arab to fund the club they have faith in, worship week-in and week-out, travel the country, as well as the continent, to follow. This is the hypocrisy of the far-right fascists; on one hand, they will look to undermine and belittle the Arab world, on the other they will happily welcome the financing of the very tycoons they claim to hate. Indeed, with the variety of players in our beautiful league, there is no room for such racism or fascism. The false statement made by the EDL, that the mosques of the UK are being funded by Extremists, is untrue, because the Arabs are, in fact, funding something we all follow... Football.