Sparky’s Column

Celebrations of the Champions

I am sitting writing this column in my hometown of Liverpool, as I look out of the window it is raining and the outlook is for more of the same - I'm definitely back in England! I was at Everton's last home game of the season, a 1-0 victory for the Merseyside Blues and it was the typical last game party atmosphere. The final match of the season is usually a celebration regardless of result. The players always do a lap of the pitch to thank the fans, a few throw their shirt into the crowd and we always see the players' children parading wearing kits jerseys emblazoned with 'Dad' where the player name normally sits. It is always a bumper night for the restaurants in Liverpool, as thousands of fans descend on the city centre for a meal and much debating and discussion over next season - but it's all fairly low key stuff. Let's now compare and contrast with Al Jazira's end of season jamboree. There will obviously be the presentation of the trophy and a lap of honour by the team as there would be anywhere. But this is just the appetiser, the Club will also give away a Ferrari to one very lucky fan and the night will be topped off with a concert featuring Timbaland. If you are going to finish a season in style then this is one way of doing it!

I am sure as a football fan you will remember the 26th March and the big international in Sharjah between Kuwait and Jordan. What do you mean you don't? Well you won't be the only one. The international was played with virtually no crowd, no TV cameras and little to no press coverage. The game itself finished 1-1 with two penalties being converted. I read about the game three days ago on a Canadian website, a bit late for a match report you might think. It seems the game came under suspicion of FIFA after a flurry of betting on the result. They dispatched a team to observe the game who reported back to headquarters as part of a wider investigation. There has been absolutely no suggestion that anyone from the UAE is involved in any alleged wrongdoing, the investigation is ongoing. In a week that has seen FIFA's name dragged through the mud it is good to see that the governing body is committed to policing the game no matter how low-key the match.

I can't go a week without mentioning El Diego at the moment. His new club Al Wasl made a statement of intent by bidding for Diego Forlan. The player of last year's World Cup has been retained by Athletico Madrid for now but don't be too surprised if he makes his way to the desert sometime soon. Al Wasl will no doubt make one or two marquee signings this summer as they look to raise their profile and wrestle the League title from Al Jazira's grasp.