Megaproject of Russian football dies

Gia Saralidze, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

The megaproject of the Russian football – Makhachkala Anzhi – has died. Of course, the club will continue its existence, but the ambitious and adventurous project has become history. It is another failed attempt to make money play football.

In various countries of the world such attempts have been undertaken. Almost all efforts to achieve a quick effective result due to financial investment to a club have ended badly. However, foreign experience seems to be uninteresting to those who managed to earn big money. They believe that others h ave done something wrong and that they, smart and lucky, will manage to succeed. They continue to step on the rake which hurt Arab sheikhs, Chinese new-rich, and American magnates.

The leadership of Makhachkala Anzhi made an official statement on Wednesday and presented their plans on the development of the club as a long-term prospect. It was announced that now Anzhi will strive to achieve the “progress of all subdivisions of the club without limitation of a time period.” While changes to the budgetary conditions of the club are caused by UEFA requirements and the necessity of following financial fair play; and they won’t lead to significant deformation in the team’s life and the whole structure of the club.

What does it mean? It means Anzhi cannot afford huge expenses anymore, which used to shake the football market and pay fabulous salaries to players.

It is difficult to say what was a signal for such a radical twist in the Makhachkala club’s fate. There are various versions: the health of the owner of the club Suleiman Kerimov; his problems with business; or his losing interest in the project which didn’t bring the desired result. It seems that a multitude of reasons made Kerimov make the decision. What a shame to see scandals, clashes, and problems from the football club in which you invest dozen million dollars instead of victories, titles, and cups. Now it is about problems with business, losing big money and illness.

A non-profile asset – that’s all. You have to deal with a profile asset, suffer, wait, repair, fix it. What about a non-profile asset? Play and throw away!

We feel sorry for fans who believed that the club would have a new life. A wealthy life, and it is not only about money, but also football. They waited for victories in the championship and European cups. It would be great, if the management of the club provides a new stratagem and football stays in the republic.