THE VIEW FROM THE STANDS
MAKH THE STRIFE
After reading about ex- rich Anzhi Makhachkala in the latest issue [ FFT 319], I was curious to see what life is like for them in the third tier of Russian football now. To my surprise, I discovered that they were playing in the new Makhachkala derby on the same day that I was researching them – against a newly formed club, FK Makhachkala. FK were founded in 2019 and have Gadzhi Gadzhiyev as their president, himself having coached Anzhi a number of times. Let’s see what the future holds for football in Dagestan, in the hands of old Anzhi or the new Makhachkala. Varoujan Kei, via email
50+ 1 = SECURITY?
As a Manchester United fan, I was glad that the club was featured in
FFT 318, but I was also drawn to your story about Bury AFC. It shows us two things: one, that the threshold for ownership in English football is completely broken. This is not only seen at EFL clubs ( Charlton, Wigan) but also in the Premier League ( Man United), where owners pile on debts and neglect club traditions. Second, it shows that fans shouldn’t be left out in the decision- making process of a club they spend hard- earned money on: ultimately, they are the ones left to pick up all the pieces. For this to change, maybe the 50+ 1 rule used in the Bundesliga could be applied to English clubs as well? It would at least be a start, and might discourage owners like the Glazers from buying football clubs. Folarin Alabi, via email
SUPER BAD IDEA
So the bigger clubs really want this European Super League? I don’t need to go into all of the reasons why it’s a shocking idea, but I hope there are also enough to mean it won’t happen. English clubs know that their position in the Premier League is already far stronger than that of, say, PSG – and really: do fans want to see the same teams play each other every year anyway? In reality, I think it’s a ploy to pressure UEFA into making changes around the Champions League. Either way, too much power in the hands of these odious bullies surely won’t end well.
Peter Simons, Hull