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[Albion] Paul Barber to Saudi?











Official Old Man

Uckfield Seagull
Aug 27, 2011
9,002
Brighton
Planning Permissions.
Here in Brighton you have to consult god knows how many councils to erect a sign that points to the American Express Stadium. Takes 12+ months.
Saudi. I want a sign there please. Done.
I want 10K more seats, done.
I want a hotel there, done.
But would he get bored?
 


Baldseagull

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2012
11,839
Crawley
Out of interest, would people rather Saudi Arabia stayed as some medieval backwater that cuts of people's heads and doesn't allow women to drive? Or would they rather they slowly modernised, bringing in more Western influence and gradually bringing in more women's rights and modernising and trying to host global elite level global sporting events?

That place is going to be unrecognisable in 20 years time. How else would you persuade people to go and help build the project other than with money?
Do you put the cart before the horse though?
Was Apartheids end in South Africa hastened by Cricket tours?
I don't know what the best way to encourage change is, I just know that up to now Western states have been soft on condemnation because we want their money, their oil, and to use their land as a base when bombing the f*** out of their neighbours.
Maybe it is refreshingly honest of them to admit to murdering a journalist for his criticisms, other states just pretend they fall out of windows.
Personally, I would not want to take a shilling from that regime.
 




chickens

Have you considered masterly inactivity?
NSC Patron
Oct 12, 2022
2,631
I’d feel we’d lost a valuable part of the club if PB decided to move on, but equally I can’t begrudge someone who’s given us so much from deciding that they want a fresh challenge (though I do wish it wasn’t a regime with such an appalling human rights record)

Saudi appear to be on a mission to prove that western values are easily bought, and that love of money is a great unifier. Worse, they seem to be succeeding.

This is where the rule of the shopkeepers falls down, everything’s for sale.
 




Uncle Spielberg

Well-known member
Jul 6, 2003
43,073
Lancing
Barber is one of the best CEO's in the World so it is obvious he would be at the top of any club's wishlist

It is imperitive we keep him here
 




Krafty

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2023
2,047
That place is going to be unrecognisable in 20 years time. How else would you persuade people to go and help build the project other than with money?
I don't know...
Maybe bring thousands of migrant workers from undeveloped nations, like Ethiopia, and keep them in inhuman, degrading conditions whereby if you don't work long, underpaid hours you'll be tortured or even killed?
 




sparkie

Well-known member
Jul 17, 2003
13,192
Hove
Well done Paul Barber if he has turned down the Khashoggi killers cash.

He's seen the bigger picture and I'm pleased for him.
 
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Green Cross Code Man

Wunt be druv
Mar 30, 2006
20,648
Eastbourne
The same sanctions La Liga and Serie A have been calling for via FFP for the Premier League? The PL has routinely bought/poached the best talent at all levels for the last three decades, I'm not sure we can suddenly start claiming the moral high ground when a bigger fish comes along.
Yeah the English setup is exactly the same with its over a hundred years of history and traditions and all the fantastic clubs and supporters of the 90 league clubs. The world famous and established competitions are similar to a nothing league with no similar tradition that is directly financed by a state. Yes very similar. 🤦🏻
 


Easy 10

Brain dead MUG SHEEP
Jul 5, 2003
62,312
Location Location
£56k pw in the year ending 30 June 2022. Given where we finished in the league last season, I suspect he got considerably more in the FY that’s just ended.
Indeed. But by taking the Saudi $$$ he'd be earning ELITE footballer money.

Anyway, sounds like he's staying. Good news.
 




Commander

Arrogant Prat
NSC Patron
Apr 28, 2004
13,504
London
Yeah the English setup is exactly the same with its over a hundred years of history and traditions and all the fantastic clubs and supporters of the 90 league clubs. The world famous and established competitions are similar to a nothing league with no similar tradition that is directly financed by a state. Yes very similar. 🤦🏻
Just because we have over 100 years of traditions in football, does that mean nobody else is allowed to try and start their own tradition? Unlike China / Qatar etc the Saudis do at least have some footballing history- they got to the round of 16 in the World Cup 30 years ago.
 




highflyer

Well-known member
Jan 21, 2016
2,526
I don't know...
Maybe bring thousands of migrant workers from undeveloped nations, like Ethiopia, and keep them in inhuman, degrading conditions whereby if you don't work long, underpaid hours you'll be tortured or even killed?
Yup. Effectively runnig a slave economy. Whilst also suppressing women, opposing action on climate change (which might reduce their oil sales) and killing people that publicly disagree with them. Wherever they end up, it will be on the back of decades of blood, oppression and dirty oil.
Most other gulf states are only slightly better.

Shame on anyone that is greedy enough to take the dirty money.
 








Hotchilidog

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2009
9,085
Just because we have over 100 years of traditions in football, does that mean nobody else is allowed to try and start their own tradition? Unlike China / Qatar etc the Saudis do at least have some footballing history- they got to the round of 16 in the World Cup 30 years ago.
This is the one point I will concede. Saudi Arabia is proper football country, the national team and club sides have performed well in regional competitions and indeed the World Cup. Football does have strong roots in SA. Here's the thing though, I don't care.
 


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