|
8th July, 2009
LONDON: Pele believes big money transfers like Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid are bad for the game.
Pele has urged Fifa to introduce a salary cap for players and warned that the vast sums of money changing hands in the game could taint its image for future generations.
Pele, in Nigeria to promote Rio de Janeiro’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games, said he was concerned the game had changed with the influx of money from billionaire owners.
“My time was a little different, we did not have the big sponsors,” he said.
“Today they have big sponsors, big companies to support football. But in my point of view and the point of view of Fifa, these [players’ salaries] must be controlled.
“You get a player today that they announce in Manchester United, Real Madrid or Milan or any other team, and they kiss their shirt,” added Pele
“The next day, he goes to another team and he kisses that shirt. This, I think, is something we have to pay attention to for the next generation.”
Pele, along with other members of Rio de Janeiro’s delegation, are expected to make their pitch to the International Olympic Committee members in Nigeria’s capital Abuja later today. Fellow candidates for the 2016 Games, Chicago, Tokyo and Madrid – will also make their case for hosting the event to IOC members. A winner will be chosen in October in Copenhagen.
“You have had a lot of Olympics in the United States, in Europe, but in South America we don’t have,” Pele said. “Everybody knows Brazil is prepared. Not only Brazil, but the whole of South America.”
Brazil will also host the football World Cup in 2014.
Meanwhile, two Asian groups are among those interested in buying English football club Newcastle with owner Mike Ashley having received offers of 100 million pounds (US$162m) for the club.
Managing director Derek Llambias confirmed on Monday that several bids at the sportswear magnate’s asking price have been tabled fuelling hopes of a quick sale.
“There have been more than two bids at 100 million pounds,” he said.
“At the moment, we are in the hands of lawyers and it is all ongoing.
“We are giving interested parties all the help that they need.”
The identities of the bidders remain a secret with all having signed non-disclosure agreements before being granted access to the club’s books.
Llambias is understood to have shown a Malaysian consortium around St James’ Park and the club’s training ground last week, while the Singapore-based Profitable Group and former chairman Freddy Shepherd are known to have held discussions with Seymour Pierce, the investment bank handling the sale.
However, amid suggestions that there have been offers at lower prices – the Malaysians were said to have bid 80 million pounds, but agreed to take on an overdraft of up to 40 million pounds – Llambias is adamant that 100 million pounds remains the figure prospective buyers need to meet.
The Magpies were put up for sale days after Ashley and Llambias held talks with Alan Shearer over the manager’s job, and that vacancy is still to be filled with the new Championship season starting on August 8.
|
