Say NO! to Chelsea

Lately I've been critical of the ruling government but I think such shouldn't be frown upon since to develop and to progress we need dissenting views, aren't we? Anyway, the decision by the not so progressive FAM (sounds like Farm, an animals sanctuary) to proceed with their intention to bring over Chelsea got my attention.

It is sad to listen to its Secretary General's statement that such plan shouldn't be politicised although politically the Chelsea's head coach's country of origin has no relation with this nation of ours. Thus, how could he utter such confusing statement? Of course, bringing Chelsea to Malaysia concerns with politics. Among others he said, they will only be here for three days and during that time their head coach can't do anything to influence us. Such narrow minded opinion from an important? man!

People, particularly Israelis will see this as a victory because such a nation like Malaysia who has been staunch supporter of the Palestinians' causes for the second time has to eat the humble pie and acknowledge though not formally the existence of their nation! A nation built upon the sufferings of the sons of the soil, the Palestinians. The particular coach is a persona non grata. The football club is welcome here but should be without their head coach and there shouldn't be any lame excuses to allow him here.

Their visit will not drastically change our pathetic football, the most they can do is to enrich the governing football association and we'll be able to see our team humiliated again. Will the players immediately learn from that friendly? I have serious doubts although the entertainment rate will be high but to what expense? Another humiliation for sure. Just because they are a great? team we shouldn't sacrifice our sovereignty. Are we willing to witness our dignity blown to smithereens just to see them here?

In fact they are not that great anyway, just because they have a few stars that does not qualify them to be the greats. With such pool of stars they should be at the top but look at them, they are just like Real Madrid which depends too much on individual talents by pinching players from other clubs just because they have the greens. Look and learn from Arsenal, theirs aren't the glamorous but they manage to produce the desired results. Who know about Toure, Adebayor and the gangs, sure they are well known there but compared to Ballack, Shevchenko and others in Chelsea they are giants in terms of popularity.

Enough is enough, the governing football association should be true to their words when they pledge reforms in our local football. They should concentrate more on grooming young talents and try very hard to improve our local leagues which have received countless criticisms from within and outside the country including FIFA. Football is not just a sport to entertain the crowd but it goes further it represents dignity of a nation.

Sacrificing the sovereignty of our nation by allowing Grant to come to Malaysia is not worth the humiliation we will have to endure. In fact, that particular football club have strongly indicates that they will not come if their not so great manager is not given entry. Such a pompous statement from a not so good team! I strongly feel that we should not be threatened by such demand as there are lots of quality clubs around the world. They themselves were forced to eat the dust when Fenerbache, a lowly rated club from Turkey beat them in the Champions League.

It seems that somebody has an ulterior motive in bringing that not so good club here after the MU debacle last year. Wonder what they'll get by bringing that club here. Forgive my language but I have no intention to insinuate mala fide but it is obvious that FAM are bent on the idea of bringing the club here to the extent of discounting a far more significant aspect - dignity and sovereignty of this nation.

Football is not merely a game as it envelops all aspects including politics. We and rather FAM should think hard of the benefits the nation will get by inviting such unnecessary controversy. As Pak Lah said the time is ripe for us to remain united after the disastrous election and such irresponsible act will only bring discord among the already divided nation.

"Football is not mere game, it encompasses our life"