Qatar has once again claimed the European Cup, a reality that deserves ample acknowledgment and contemplation for its complex implications.
Reflecting on the dramatic changes over the past four years provides a stark contrast.
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We now find ourselves transitioning from the relentless pace of club football into the distinctive anticipation of the World Cup. This shift imparts a notable significance to the Champions League final, occurring just before the tournament’s commencement, especially considering the controversies it ignited.
Four years prior, there was widespread outrage regarding numerous issues associated with Qatar: sportswashing, an exploitative labor system based on racial discrimination, human rights abuses, and harrowing personal stories such as Abdullah Ibhais’ ordeal.
Now, with PSG retaining the Champions League, such scrutiny has nearly evaporated.
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Instead, there is abundant admiration for Paris Saint-Germain, celebrated alongside their achievements, including delightful moments such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia donning sunglasses in Budapest.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s sunglasses received more attention than Qatar’s sportswashing (Reuters)
A metaphor lies within that reflection on Kvaratskhelia’s eyewear.
Discussions surrounding the “morality” of the final have only touched upon Arsenal’s gameplay; even a leak of a Sir Alex Ferguson message to PSG‘s president Nasser al-Khelaifi about the superiority of the team that plays beautiful football was shared.
This all resonates more significantly, considering PSG’s accomplishments and the significance of being the European champions.
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Winning the trophy again has historically represented a pinnacle achievement, one that few elite teams manage to replicate. Such victories are meant to signify a broader narrative about European football’s landscape.
However, the silence echoing from this repetition speaks volumes.
PSG achieved consecutive Champions League victories, illustrating their dominance (Getty)
The days of reverence for this title, once cloaked in an air of tradition and marked by iconic players shaking hands, have long passed.
The meaningful exchanges about the future of the Champions League are now taking place in executive suites above the field. One might have noticed images of former Super League advocate Florentino Perez sharing smiles with Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and Khelaifi.
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This dynamic reveals where the true power resides, influencing broader trends across the sport.
The widespread approval of PSG’s football, coupled with the contrasting backdrop of Pep Guardiola’s exit, signals the full acceptance of autocratic funding in elite football. Any concerns about it have largely been marginalized.
The goal has always been to establish normalcy. This normalization has reached a point where apathy prevails.
PSG’s dominance has rendered French football a mere afterthought (AFP/Getty)
The overarching influence of one of the “big five” leagues is manifesting itself as PSG treats it merely as preparation for greater competitions, impacting the Champions League as well.
Each of PSG’s star players logged fewer minutes in their domestic league than even Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus, who spent a significant period sidelined with injury. Arsenal’s tactical constraints reflect the disparity in schedules.
The demands on the London club forced them to field a 21-year-old center-back as an emergency right-back, leading to them being outmaneuvered by Kvaratskhelia.
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However, this stance does not dismiss Arsenal’s financial advantages; this platform has been equally critical of the Premier League’s super clubs and their wealth concentration.
The focus remains on the larger dynamics at play, amplifying the core issues of inequality and power throughout football’s hierarchy.
Premier League teams are now wrestling with the implications of an expanded European football calendar, a process influenced significantly by Khelaifi, the chairman of the European Football Clubs (EFC) and head of BeIn, a major broadcasting entity.
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Understanding the dynamics of state influence in football is crucial here.
Recent high-profile meetings revealed the extent to which Uefa president Ceferin is reportedly beholden to Khelaifi. The relationship established through the UC3 joint venture instills a scenario where Uefa’s decisions require Khelaifi’s approval, effectively granting Qatar’s emissary significant sway over European football governance.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin is perceived to be under Khelaifi’s influence at meetings (PA)
Khelaifi has a reputation for being assertive in Uefa meetings, often met with passive nods from Ceferin, reflecting the power dynamics at play.
As the identity of the current European champions emerges, the location of power becomes glaringly evident.
This influence is visible to all, often obscured by the noise surrounding the events.