While the imminent arrival of Saudi capital in the French championship, in Marseille in particular, is regularly announced, a new trend is emerging in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has never been so talked about in the world of football. Since the off-season, the country has become the new El Dorado of football, for players at the end of their careers and/or in search of a lucrative contract whatever the cost in terms of exposure and competitiveness. This summer, big names such as Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Neymar, Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the Middle East. A real success for the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s soft power strategy is clear: it is the stars who come to it and not in a showcase previously purchased in Europe. This observation does not prevent rumors from spreading about future Saudi investments on the old continent, like what was achieved in Newcastle in the Premier League. In France, OM is the subject of recurring rumors about this alleged interest. Echoing of course the competition raging between Riyadh and Doha, the Qatari power at the head of PSG.
After the players, the referees
The fact remains that Saudi Arabia, in the short term, intends above all to pursue its local goal – by further developing its own football, via new infrastructure and the reinforcement of new skills. After the players, very quickly and easily attracted, it is the referees who according to the Telegraph are targeted. The Saudi Football Federation has already requested several traditional Premier League officials – such as Michael Oliver – so that they join the Saudi Pro League. Former Swiss international referee Manuel Navarro was recently appointed to carry out this project.
