Jamie Carragher does not want to play for England, his loyalty is stricktly with Liverpool FC. How many players will follow «Carras» example for the future?, asks professor Simon Chadwick( Photo: Scanpix)
English versionWhat about national identity and pride?
<pInternational footballers are drawn between club obligations and national duties. Liverpools Jamie Carraghers recently said no to England and Fabio Capello. How many more will follow «Carras» examp</p
Denne artikkelen er over ett år gammel og kan innholde utdatert informasjon
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsen
This is Simon Chadwick
* Simon Chadwick is Professor of Sport Business Strategy and Marketing at Coventry University Business School, where he is also a Director Centre for the International Business of Sport (CIBS).
* His research interests are based around sport marketing and sport business strategy.
* He has served as an Expert Witness in a High Court case involving the International Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Australian Open and the French Open. He has also worked with organisations including FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sunderland FC, the FA and Sport England.
* Chadwick is among many things a member of the Vancouver Olympic Research Group and of the Advisory Panel for Sport und Markt's European Sport Sponsorship award.
* Chadwick has contributed to several books worldwide and he also are being used as an expert for several medias when it comes to Sport Business Strategy and Marketing.
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher’s recently published autobiography, entitled «Carra», has drawn plaudits from many people for its frankness and integrity.
Unlike some other such publications, especially those written (more often ghost-written) by Premier League players, Carra’s effort has shown him to be a person who takes football seriously, knowing that he is fortunate to be doing a job he loves and that other people envy.
Yet Carragher has caused something of a stir by claiming that his first loyalty is to his club, not to his country: he is quoted as saying that he will never play for England again.
He is not the only one who feels this way.
British failure
Stephen Ireland, of Manchester City and (formerly of) the Republic of Ireland, has walked away from national team football at the age of only 22 years old, reportedly claiming that it takes him away from his home and family for too long.
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsenArtikkelen fortsetter under annonsen
Man Citys Stephen Ireland has rejected invitations to play for the Republic of Ireland (Photo: Scanpix)
The right of an individual to pursue whatever course of action that is most appropriate for them is indisputable. However, the reluctance of players to play for their national teams is a concern.
Given the inglorious failure of all teams from the British Isles to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008, and their failure to make a significant mark at any international tournament since 1996, the five respective national teams can ill afford to lose the services of some of their most talented players. Especially when teams like Arsenal and Chelsea routinely start Premier League games with the «natives» being in a minority amongst their starting elevens.
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsenArtikkelen fortsetter under annonsenForeign impact
It seems inevitable that the forces of globalisation cannot be resisted, although the influx of overseas players and coaches has resulted in much needed advances in our playing style and coaching techniques.
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsenYet British football appears to have been particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of the global football environment.
We may have great leagues, fantastic clubs and exciting players, but our national teams are regressing.
Where the appearance of England might once have struck fear into national teams across the world, even the weakest teams now fancy their chances against them.
The argument that there are too many overseas players plying their trade in Britain aside, why is it that British national teams cannot even persuade some of their best players to take to a football field in order to represent their country?
Indeed, why is it that some player’s can be severely injured on a Saturday, miss an international game the following Wednesday, and then miraculously recover to take the field for their club teams the following Saturday?
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsenMoney talks
One has to have some sympathy with Stephen Irelands ’s viewpoint. It’s a long way from Manchester to somewhere like Kazakhstan: nearly 6,000 kilometres to be precise. Factor in flight times, sitting in airports and travelling to hotels, and it is a long journey. If one has to play a weekend club game either side of such an international, it is no doubt very tiring. As for Jamie Carragher, I must confess that if I was faced with a choice, I too would go for my club team.
Artikkelen fortsetter under annonsenFor certain Brits, there is something much more important about their regional identity than their national identity. Playing for your country would be a proud moment, but playing for your town or city would be even better.
But let us not forget that money may also be a factor; playing in a Premier League game is likely to be much more lucrative for a player than playing 90 minutes in Astana. Indeed, get injured playing for your national team, and you miss out on the appearance money you earn playing for your club, and so much more.
If this is true, perhaps it says more about British society and our willingness to put individual gain ahead of collective interest. In which case, perhaps players really will begin to lose their sense of national identity and pride - what price integrity then?
