Triesman shares Blatter's concern
by Tom Kell, 08 October 2008
Speaking to Setanta Sports News, the FA’s independent chairman Lord Triesman threw the weight of his support behind Sepp Blatter’s recent comments expressing concern at the increasing prominence of foreign owners.
The Premier League is slowly becoming dominated by an influx of foreign billionaires, with many anxious that they are simply out to make a quick buck.
Blatter, never shy in getting his views heard, this week said that we must be ‘alarmed’ by the fact that ‘you can buy a club as easily as you buy a football jersey.’
“It’s a bit more difficult than buying a shirt but it’s certainly true that football supporters are apprehensive,” Triesman told Setanta Sports News. “They feel their clubs are being touted around in the marketplace for whoever might want to buy it.
“I have been very passionate in my history about a particular club, it’s true, and I would be concerned if I thought it was just up for grabs in the marketplace.
“In a way you want to know what an owner’s values are and if they’ll be recognised over a long period of time. Many of the foreign owners do have those values.
“I’ve talked to a number of them and there’s no doubt in my mind that they share that community perspective on the importance of their club.
“But all I’m saying is that Sepp Blatter’s right – you can’t have owners with a total disregard for people’s passion for their club.”