Henderson departure for Saudi is symbolic

Jordan Henderson’s departure for Saudi Arabia has proved highly controversial: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66324791. He is prepared to give up up the Liverpool captaincy for life at the seventh-best team in Saudi Arabia on a contract which, at around £700,000 a week, is not so much comfortable as mind-boggling.

It is a move that will have serious repercussions for Liverpool — and which has caused dismay within the LGBTQI+ community, where Henderson had previously been the most prominent ally in the men’s game — but it is also one that will set alarm bells ringing in English football.

A high-profile English player was always likely to be enticed to Saudi Arabia sooner or later, but few people would have imagined it would be one with as much to lose, both reputationally and professionally, as Henderson.

Not just a Liverpool and England player, but captain of his club and vice-captain of his national team. Not just a high-profile player, but one who has used his profile and his platform for good, speaking up against homophobia, discrimination and injustice. Little wonder that so many are shocked or upset by his defection to Saudi Arabia, whose human rights record attracts widespread condemnation.

Henderson is joining a team that finished seventh last season, with an average attendance of 5,561, and whose big signing last summer, Brazilian forward Vitinho, scored three goals.

Football-wise, Henderson has settled for what looks, unimaginably to some of those who know him well, like the ultimate comfort zone. He never seemed the type, given that he has spent his entire career striving, pushing himself and his team-mates. And that is what will trouble Southgate, just as it will trouble many others in English football. If Henderson can be turned, who might be next?

Saudi Arabia is using sport to build its profile on the world stage and establish itself as a tourism hub. Domestically, the strategy is part of a series of economic and social reforms spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Under the chairmanship of the Saudi leader, the Public Investment Fund last month took ownership of Al Hilal rival Saudi Pro League teams Al Ittihad, Al Ahli, and Al Nassr. The Saudi clubs have snapped up more star footballers since Al Nassr struck a deal with Cristiano Ronaldo in December. Al Ittihad secured the transfers of French stars N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema; Brazilian Roberto Firmino left Liverpool for Al Ahli, and Portugal player Rúben Neves left Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for Al Hilal.

The money they are spending is a fraction of their oil wealth and they have a politically driven strategy which will not falter in the medium term. Football is seen as a source of soft power.

Wolves get raw deal from FFP

I used to see a lifelong Wolves fan for lunch once a month. He was approaching ninety, but still went to games. Sadly he passed away the other week. As football finance guru Kieran Maguire has noted, Wolves continue to be constrained by financial fair play rules. Radio 4 this morning described them as this year's 'crisis club' and the pessimists have certainly been piling in. Martin Samuel wrote sympathetically in the Sunday Times yesterday, saying that the Premier League drives talent away with regulatory red tape: 'Why could Al-Hilal sign Neves? Because Wolves needed the money. And why did Wolves need the money? Because the club had to comply with an artificial construct known as financial fair play. So Wolves are going skint, yes? No. There is no suggestion that Wolves are in financial trouble, only that they are failing to meet the rigours of FFP. Wolves’ owners appear to have the money to run the club, and invest in the club, and in fact came up with a pow

Gold standard ground boosts Tottenham's income

The gold standard in European football grounds is the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in north London, a £1bn construction project completed in 2019. Its impact on the club’s finances has become increasingly clear as the effects of the pandemic have faded. Previously, the average fan would spend less than £2 inside the ground on a typical match day, but now that figure is about £16, thanks to new facilities including the longest bar in Europe and an on-site microbrewery. Capacity has gone up from 36,000 at the club’s previous home of White Hart Lane to 62,000. The new stadium — built on land adjacent to White Hart Lane — has opened the door to a broad range of other events that have helped to push commercial income up from €117mn in 2018 to €215mn in 2022. Last year, Tottenham hosted US singer Beyoncé for five nights on her global Renaissance tour, two NFL matches, as well as rugby games and heavyweight boxing bouts. Money brought in from football has gone up too. Match day income is

Charlton takeover approved

The long awaited takeover of Charlton Athletic by SE7 Partners from Thomas Sandgaard has been approved: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/se7-partners-obtain-efl-approval-for-charlton-athletic-takeover/ Charlton have had unhappy experiences with owners for over a decade, so how this works out will remain to be seen. There is certainly potential there, but will it be realised? This interview with Charlie Methven gives detail not available elsewhere: https://thecharltondossier.com/charlie-methven-on-the-record/

The Political Economy of Football V2

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