Will Gaddafi really buy Milan?
Posted on | September 9, 2009 | 2 Comments
When Italian newspaper La Republica printed a front page last week with the headline ‘Gheddafi, Do You Want To Buy Milan?’, it stirred up the unsettling but familiar brew of politics mixed with football.
In its article the paper claimed Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi had personally offered to sell AC Milan to Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, he of the authoritarian dictatorship and questionable human rights record.
Little evidence was presented to back up the assertion that the perma-tanned Rossoneri owner had hawked out Italy’s most prestigious club to a despot who Amnesty International claims likes to “physically liquidate” his political opponents.
Nonetheless, it’s sadly not impossible. Milan has long been seen by Berlusconi as an asset of diminishing interest and value. The Italian prime minister is under pressure over allegations of extramarital affairs and can no longer rely on Milan as a buffer for his slumping popularity.
The sale of Kaka for £68 million to Real Madrid made financial sense but has left Milan impoverished in midfield, where Ronaldinho, bloated, erratic and out of form for three solid years, is the main creative force.
Legendary defender Paolo Maldini has also retired, leaving the defence without a leader and the club stripped of its two best players of the last decade almost overnight. In their last league fixture the side went down 4-0 to city rivals Inter.
As such AC Milan has become a burden to Berlusconi, who these days appears so self-consciously trimmed, clipped and pampered that he looks like a wax model of himself.
The problem for Berlusconi is the price. Milan are thought to be worth 600 to 800 million euros – out of reach even for the most wealthly Italian investors, meaning a sovereign wealth set-up is among the most likely get-outs.
Gaddafi already owns 7.5 per cent of Juventus he bought through an investment firm, and is keen to achieve new financial and diplomatic links with Europe- for which the Rossoneri would provide the ideal vehicle.
Fans and players alike will think otherwise. “Let’s hope not” is how midfielder Andrea Pirlo responded when shown a copy of the offending La Republica headline at a national team training camp on Tuesday, no doubt fearing the thought of “liquidation” should he perform a dodgy back pass in front of the Colonel.
The departure of Berlusconi might not be such a bad thing for Milan in the long run. But the arrival of an equally egotistical and controversial figure with a slanted idea of democracy could make life even worse in the short-term.
Chris Breese
Tags: AC Milan > Gaddafi > Kaka > Paolo Maldini > Serie A > Silvio Berlusconi
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2 Responses to “Will Gaddafi really buy Milan?”
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September 9th, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Forget Gaddafi – Becks is on his way to County! http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homesport/Notts-shot-Beckham-says-bookies/article-1321953-detail/article.html
September 9th, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
No chance. He’ll be wanting to play for a Premier League club when he comes back to England. And this post is supposed to be about Milan?!