Main photo: Reuters
September 23, 2024: Fan rivalry in sports can make corruption in sports hard to combat, just like it is so difficult to battle graft in politics where divide is so deep-rooted it blurs or dilutes serious wrongs of people on the same side.
In England, football fans are being divided over alleged foul plays of Manchester City, standing to face harsh punishment for controversial financial activities. Complaints against the team have been countered by support from both the club’s own followers and other fans who don’t like, say, Liverpool or Arsenal.
Manchester City’s alleged wrongdoings have been complicated or even toned down by vested interest of football fans who believe that penalties imposed on England’s top team would negatively affect their causes.
Lack of unison makes it so hard to get rid of corruption because no matter how heinous a team looks, there is always a sizeable number of people who think it is being persecuted.
Fan powers are what drive sports, but they can also provide a great barricade against anti-corruption crackdowns.
For non-football fans, Manchester City are facing 115 financial fair play charges, basically accused of using owners’ massive money illegally (through distorted or false documentation) to pay high wages or buy numerous expensive players. Without fraudulent balance sheets, spending would have easily exceeded limits, the accusers say.
You win because of illegally-used oil money, Manchester City’s critics say. You want to wipe a good football team off the face of the earth, the other side insists.
Both persuasions are competing. Just like in politics.
Daily updates of local and international events by Tulsathit Taptim
