I read with amusement and sympathy the article written by the STAR, R Manogaran (Mano) in today’s edition dated 30th July 2008. This was about the friendly football match between Chelsea and team Malaysia. Nothing special you think because visits by top English clubs to KL have been going on for years. We have seen the likes of Arsenal with Malcolm MacDonald, Liverpool with Kevin Keegan, Man United with Eric Cantona and other clubs whose agenda is to “connect” with the millions of fans in Asia for the obvious monetary gains thru TV rights, merchandises, sponsorship etc.
However the article by STAR touched on the second-class treatment accorded to local media and local “Blues” fan by both the organizer and the Chelsea team. He wrote that the fans that came to watch the team in training never got close enough for an autograph and that the local media were not allowed in the main press conference and instead a separate press conference was arranged. However, all hopes were dashed for the player attending the ‘second-class” press conference was only Carlo Cudicini, the reserve goalkeeper. There was no John Terry, no Frank Lampard, no Michael Ballack, no Michael Essien, no star player, no nothing….
“All I can say is that it’s not the first time and certainly it will not be the last”
It was also reported in the press that 80% of the 50,000 who watched the match at the stadium were “Blues” fans. Therefore there were about 40,000 Chelsea fans who sacrificed their time and hard earned cash to see “their team” in action. Wow..if only 40,000 fans can fill up the stadium every week in the local league, surely Malaysian football would have enough gate collection to buy good import players.
Last few years I watched the match between visiting Liverpool team and Thailand national team on TV. At the end of the match I saw a Thai national player trying to swap jersey with a famous Liverpool player but was hushed away by the arrogant Liverpool player. This was on TV and watched by millions through satellite. So much for their social responsibilities to the fans in the Far East.
I was once a student in UK long time ago. Unfortunately I have never been to any of the football matches as it was filled with hooligans and safety of us Asians were not guaranteed. Those students who stayed near any of the football stadium will attest that after the Saturday matches there will always be broken window panes and other damages to properties as the fans leaving the stadium either venting their anger or celebrating their win. Most would be drunk and would not be aware of the score-line anyway.
Back to the friendly match, in order to create the atmosphere of EPL you must also throw in the fans as well. You have to sing the same song and anthem and be rowdy, drunk and boisterous. Wearing blue and clapping will not make you a “blues” or “reds” or “devil” fans. Since we are used to watching the game on TV lets keep it that way. Do not go to the stadium for you will be disappointed as reported by Mano. I have seen many football friendlies live and on TV to tell that the “Star” Team will play only for exhibition and will not be stretched. They are here on promotion tour and not to “connect” with their fans in this region. Do not expect too much from them, as this is a “holiday cum training” for them. Work will start in August when the EPL kicks off. For some, touring the region is a pain in the neck as its too far from England, what with the traveling time, time difference, away from families, climate changes being humid and all and other grouses fitted to be made by superstars. In fact I think this visit by the “Blues” is a drag and they just couldn’t wait for it to be done with. Can’t really blame them, as the oppositions were all mediocre by their standards. Actually they got nothing from the tour, come to think of it, other than the commercial values as mentioned earlier.
These days I see tour packages being promoted to watch live EPL matches in England. For a real EPL experience hop on to these tours but first sign yourself an insurance policy. Paint your hair blond and color your face so that being Asians will not be so obvious. Do not shout too loud as your slang will give you away. Eat fish and chips and not nasi goring. If in winter put on extra jackets so that you will look big. Make sure you have the scarf of the home team and not the visiting team. When the match is over stay longer in the stadium because you have paid much more to be there.
Next time a big club comes visiting, play the match at MPPJ stadium, in this case the stadium will be brimming with people instead of half full. Otherwise take the match to another location such as Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Ipoh, Penang where there are also strong fan base for EPL. For the opposition lets have a Malaysian league selection instead of just Malaysian players. In this case we can include say maximum 5 international players for the friendlies. Maybe P Chipeta can score a goal or two where we Malaysian cant.
The new EPL season is just round the corner, good luck to all the ladies whose men made up the 40,000 at the stadium and many others around the country who are just as fanatics about EPL.
Good Luck to the "Blues" in the new season. I hope that the team will win the championship.
Jebat-Siber
July 30, 2008
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