Is it still Soccer?
In June 2023 I was in Paris for two nights to meet friends in the Champs-Élysées, and our discussion veered to soccer. At that time, I wrote an opinion piece titled “It’s Still Round”. Last week I was in London and met once more Al Kirkland, Michelle Laurent, and Hala Jono. Al still focused on … The post Is it still Soccer? appeared first on Egypt Independent .
In June 2023, the author was in Paris celebrating a friend's birthday at the Champs-Élysées, where soccer discussions ensued. Upon returning to London, they met with Al Kirkland, Michelle Laurent, and Hala Jono for a dinner at Hala's design salon. Al had just announced that he was purchasing an American soccer team on the east coast, not for the sport but for the financial gains.
Michelle expressed her disapproval of Al's investment, while Hala acknowledged the decline of soccer's appeal due to commercialization, violence, poor refereeing, and lack of player loyalty. The author then shared their perspective on how soccer had shifted from a game of skill and strategy to one resembling gladiatorial combat, driven by the audience's desire for spectacle and profitability.
Al and Hala agreed that money was the driving force behind the game, with all parties profiting immensely from the hyper-commercialized World Cup. The author added that the global rule-based order had vanished, leading to increased conflicts worldwide. They concluded that soccer had fundamentally changed, with the spirit and players' interests diminishing in favor of commercial interests.
The author suggested that American football might offer a return to more skill-focused soccer, free from violence and monetary concerns.
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