Can women save the beautiful game from greed and decline?

France's forward Kadidiatou Diani (left) vies for the ball with Nigeria's defender Osinachi Ohale. [AFP] For football lovers the world over and especially followers of the English Premier League (EPL), August represents resumption of games and transfers of players. Whatever team you follow, there is that great excitement about the players bought, sold and offloaded and the expectation as to what the new season might hold in store. Yet, even the most battle-weary football fanatics have expressed doubt and even apathy about recent developments during this close season. The purchasing price of players and their wages have reached astronomical figures as agents bargain the best deal for their players and merchandise. EPL may be the most competitive and popular national league on the planet but only one of a half-dozen teams will emerge as champions. The rest battle it out for retaining membership of the premier division or seeking European places in lesser competitions. Football clubs are no longer owned by fans but by multi-national conglomerates and their value determined by the television companies that sell their products all over the world. With the game awash with cash it was inevitable that players would discover that they are the entertainers who can determine their own value and future. So, Kylian Mbappe can spend the season on the training ground in Paris so he can sell himself as a free agent in 12 months' time when his contract expires. His team mate, Neymar, has at 31 and past his best, taken the easy option of a $162 million annual cheque in the newly created Saudi League. Back in England, Chelsea have disposed of most of the team that won them Champions League glory two years ago and began rebuilding a team around 21-year-old Moises Caicedo that cost them $138 million. While football may remain as entertaining as ever, values of loyalty and commitment have been overtaken by greed and opportunism. The player you thought would die for the badge has found a richer one and departed without a goodbye or thank you. You could be forgiven for being cynical or having the non-football fan remind you that your passion for the game is being exploited by unmerciful commercial interests. Karl Marx may have claimed that religion is the opium of the people but were he to resurrect today, he might discover that football has replaced religion. Then there are questions about the state funded Saudi Arabia league that has also attracted Ronaldo, Benzema and Firmino. The Saudi government of Mohamed Bin Salman has invested $6b in what can best be described as 'Sportswashing" to distract from their horrific human rights record and acquire a place at the global table. The country may have been labelled a pariah state after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi but that is conveniently forgotten. The Saudis executed 196 persons last year 81 of them in one day, and new revelations this week from Human Rights Watch (HRW) and BBC have exposed how they killed hundreds of migrants, mostly from Ethiopia and Yemen, who tried to enter at Yemen border point. HRW have documented 665 such killings but claim the number could be thousands. Yet yesterday's football heroes have no conscience problem collecting millions from this pariah state. Football has been corrupted globally but there is a small glimmer of hope. As horse-trading went on in Europe, the women of the world gave us a World Cup, down under, full of passion, energy, community and honest endeavour, values fast disappearing from the men's game. How delightful to witness unknown football nations like Panama, Jamaica, Philippines and Haiti display their talents alongside the global powerhouses. Colombia beating Germany and Nigeria losing out on penalties against England were memorable moments. There may have been issues of allowances and sexual harassment but the women displayed skill and passion and above all joy and teamwork that was inspiring and refreshing. How wonderful to see opponents embrace after the games and bring back joy to the beautiful game. The women of the world have reminded us what football is about and it is not wealth that gives us the memories and the glory.

Can women save the beautiful game from greed and decline?

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