Does anyone else think this stinks to high heaven?

[bigturnip]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/9276343.stm

Barcelona have just signed a £125m shirt sponsorship deal with a Qatar education charity. And if they can't fit their logo on along with the Unicef one, which Barcelona pay to have, then the Unicef one will take priority, why?

We all know about the allegations of Spain 'helping' the Russian bid for 2018 in return for the Russians 'persuading' the referees to 'help' Spain win the 2010 World Cup, we also know that Pep Guardiola was an ambassador for the Qatar 2022 bid. But there's got to be more to this than a Qatar charity, run by the Qatar Royal Family, just giving Barcelona £125m for the possibility of maybe getting their logo on the Barcelona shirt.

 

[voodoo]

you mean Barcelona??????

 

[punky]

I think its a case the only charities that can afford to spunk £125m are ones in the Middle East.

Barcelona are severely in debt. They need extra revenue. They don't want to turn on their 111-year descision to only feature charities so found another charity willing to cough up. Even if they can't go on the shirt, just to have the Qatari's charities to be associated with Barcelona would be worth the money to them.

I found this bit odd: "The Catalan giants have paid to carry the Unicef logo for the last five years" Barcelona *pay* to have the UNICEF logo? You'd think UNICEF would be happy to have it on for free.

 

[danielneeds]

I think its a case the only charities that can afford to spunk £125m are ones in the Middle East.

Barcelona are severely in debt. They need extra revenue. They don't want to turn on their 111-year descision to only feature charities so found another charity willing to cough up. Even if they can't go on the shirt, just to have the Qatari's charities to be associated with Barcelona would be worth the money to them.

I found this bit odd: "The Catalan giants have paid to carry the Unicef logo for the last five years" Barcelona *pay* to have the UNICEF logo? You'd think UNICEF would be happy to have it on for free.

It would be slightly bad form to have UNICEF on your shirts and not give a donation, would it not though..?

I think everyone knew that Barca were getting fans used to seeing something on the shirt with UNICEF, this is the next stage - and in five years time it will be a commercial deal with someone like Santander or Telefonica.

 

[punky]

It would be slightly bad form to have UNICEF on your shirts and not give a donation, would it not though..?

I think everyone knew that Barca were getting fans used to seeing something on the shirt with UNICEF, this is the next stage - and in five years time it will be a commercial deal with someone like Santander or Telefonica.

You'd think donating shirt space of the world's biggest and most successful football team would be enough? Most charities in the world would kill for that publicity.

I agree regarding the Telefonica issue. Barca have always been hampered versus Real Madrid over the lack of shirt sponsorship funding. This should help rectify that.

 

[bigturnip]

I think its a case the only charities that can afford to spunk £125m are ones in the Middle East.

Barcelona are severely in debt. They need extra revenue. They don't want to turn on their 111-year descision to only feature charities so found another charity willing to cough up. Even if they can't go on the shirt, just to have the Qatari's charities to be associated with Barcelona would be worth the money to them.

I found this bit odd: "The Catalan giants have paid to carry the Unicef logo for the last five years" Barcelona *pay* to have the UNICEF logo? You'd think UNICEF would be happy to have it on for free.

I don't understand how the charity would even begin to recoup their £125m 'investment', especially if they're not even fussed about having their logo shown. Is the education of children in Qatar even a big problem? I would have thought with all the oil and gas they have that they could provide their children with a decent education, besides £125m can educate a lot of children.

 

[punky]

I don't understand how the charity would even begin to recoup their £125m 'investment', especially if they're not even fussed about having their logo shown. Is the education of children in Qatar even a big problem? I would have thought with all the oil and gas they have that they could provide their children with a decent education, besides £125m can educate a lot of children.

I don't think its a charity in the Oxfam/AI sense. Private schools in the UK are registered as charities despite being money-making ventures. I presume they are run along the same lines.

 

[AirTito]

Middle Eastern money is going to ruin the world of football

 

[Viva la Tottenham]

Middle Eastern money is going to ruin the world of football

it's hard to ruin something that's already been ruined, sure they'll help sail it up shits creek alittle further but money ruined football along time ago

the world loves money and the love of money is the root of all evil

 

[Kendall]

I think football is the best it's ever been. We're actually good to watch now and long may it continue.

 

[gavspur]

I don't understand how the charity would even begin to recoup their £125m 'investment', especially if they're not even fussed about having their logo shown. Is the education of children in Qatar even a big problem?

I would guess there is a problem with the education of children there, if they grow up to think its good business to give away £125m for nothing in return.