Why do Brits protest against American ownership of Man U but have no complaints about a Russian owning Chelsea
445504
The problem is not that Americans butcher soccer (they are ranked 5th in the world and the MLS is not a joke anymore). The problem lies in the fact that Americans HAVE butchered the real meaning of sport. Look at the professional leagues in the States for Baseball, American Football, Basketball, etc. They are plagued with player strikes, horrible and inconsistent officiating, and horrid marketing schemes. It's not about tradition, winning, or entertainment. It's about making money. The Brits want eternal glory for thier team. The Russians are not nearly as likely to undermine that, in fact they are as passionate about sport as the Brits are with football. The British fans are upset and they should be. They believe Americans don't know the first thing about football as it's played over there, and they don't. The game is different, the players are different, and most importantly the FANS are different. I BLEED Arsenal Red, I don't simply root for them. There's also the way he's threatened the existence of Manchester United by incurring debt, using the team to secure £265 million, or $490 million, of loans as part of his £790 million takeover price. The man also hates sports. He was once seen rooting for the opposing team when he attended, which is a rare occurance, a game of his NFL team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He knows nothing of pride, traditions, and the importance of soccer. That's why the Brits are pissed, not simply because he's a Yankee.
693433
Yes they do expect some hooligans to cause minimal problems.\n\nThere is a big rift between Eastern European fans and Western European fans.  Each group supports their own nations and say that they are the better overall region in Europe for soccer.  Kinda like East vs West in the USA or North vs South.   \n\nI expect that both of these groups (for example, ones that support France, Spain and England and the ones that support Czech, Poland and Croatia) will be the most trouble.  Both groups will be very familiar with Germany being that it is in the middle of Europe.  The other supporters of other countries will be more worried with logistics, lodging etc. due to their lengths of travel.\n\nJust my thoughts...
1176602
It isn't just Australian fans.  Soccer fans in general are extremely nationalist except for the United States team.  We just don't give a hoot.
808321
They do and it is sacrilege. Another nail in the coffin of the real Chelsea. It's like Liverpool putting away fans in the Kop. It shouldn't be allowed, but unfortunately Peter Kenyon has no regard for history.
418396
1st of all its not soccer!!!!!! it called football!!!! in the USA all these incidents dont occur cuz the US fans r not as passionate as european fans bout their clubs... look at the south americans 4 eg. the match b/w river n boca...
1034489
as long as they keep the english holligans away from the WC, then the english fans shouldn't pick up trouble, \n\nas usual, its a selected few that make all the trouble
1099986
To Chef now yo.\nYOU are talking through your hole. Being Irish and having watched the dirty scum bag English hooligans come over to my Country and smash our stadium up  and put countless people in hospital after England went - 1-0 down in 1994, i got to see first hand what the media repeatedly get the blame for  in England. How can you even try to defend that kind of behaviour. You can't.Yes .i agree the loss of the Leeds fan in turkey was very sad, but does it give You the right to intimidate and vandalise wherever you go. Travel abroad with any other nation and watch everyone take step back when all the English thugs arrive. You can't justify football hooliganism and as a Brit you  should look a bit closer to home before criticising other nations. Blame everybody but yourself. Some of my closest friends and family are English and agree with me entirely
385994
I think it is because American teams are owned by individuals. I don't think they are sponsored.
381727
You are entitled to your opinion but there are plenty of Scottish football fans who feel otherwise. The Scottish Premier League is a competitive professional league just as the leagues in many other countries. If you paid any attention to the standings this season you would see that Hearts is actually ahead of Rangers in second place. It's not much different than the Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool domination of the English Premier League. It has only been in the last two years that Chelsea has come to power after its Russian oil millionaire owner basically bought the League title.
596076
I presume you are British, as I am. I believe in the Royal Family for one important reason; national pride.\n\nSure they don't do much, or even really have that much power any more. But the monarchy if what defines Britain and being British to a lot of people, especially those from abroad.\n\nBritain has sold out big time; there are maybe two truly British car companies left (Ariel and Noble, off the top of my head- even Morgan is powered by BMW!) when there were literally dozens in the post-war era. Our sports are dominated by foreign talent; how many of Manchester United's team are actually from Manchester- or even Britain at all?! The England team manager is foreign. A large percentage of British companies, from retail to technology, are owned by foreign interests.\n\nThe rates of immigration are soaring, although this in itself is a good thing as it promotes world knowledge and understanding to those who will isten. The English language is becoming saturated with slang derived from these foreign migrants and the old school virtues of chivalry and the good old British gentleman have been flushed down the pan.\n\nMy grandfathers, and thousands of others, fought for the British way of life, their 'King and Country', and we should honour them by upholding the traditional British values they lived and died by, whilst moving forward in to a new world with the rest of the globe.\n\nEven our patron Saint, George, was a Turk, and I am not oblivious to the fact that the British royal family were, in themselves, of Nazi stock. However, we must forgive (but not always forget) the blemishes of the past; living in a multi-cultural society has given us the opportunity to do just this whilst upholding our common values of decency and strength in the face of adversity.\n\nSo yes, I think we should keep the royal family even if, I admit, Prince Phillip has never ironed my shirt or made me a cup of tea. They are a bastion of British culture when few others remain. Ask anyone what the first things that come to mind are when you say 'Britain'- I'll bet the queen will be in there, along with Buckingham Palace. And bad teeth. Remember the monarchy also represents our kin in Canada, Australia and a few more places that I wil not list here. \n\nRule Brittania!\n\nAnd...breath...
1120125
I think that's not necessarily true for the English, only when it comes to soccer. Rugby supporters are not violent at all.
953842
Come on, you and I both know it's Man Utd. and will always be. People hate them due to jealousy at their fan base that extends worldwide and that they have bagloads of dough. Plus always being on TV and all the history and hype.
191556
Basically everyone is either true to their personal country or against it. Not everyone in the US believes we are better at soccer,but the ones who do think that are loud in their belief.
585679
North Americans from the United States(remember America is a continent, not a country, Brazilians, Argentines, and Mexicans are Americans too)don´t get soccer, because they´ve always segregated themseçves from the rest of the world, and from the growth of the country as an economic power, it never had to import much, and so, the influence from other countries never really affected it much. That´s why they play such different sports than the world plays, like Football and Baseball.  And also, the mentality in the United States is extremely competitive and full of pressure, and so they olny like to compete in sports they know they can win, or can develop winning teams if they put more time and money.  Soccer has never been a sport about time and money, but rather aboout passion, and fun, and the joy of running around with the objective of scoring goals.  If it were based on time and money, than South Americawould never have had as many world tittles as it does, and countries like England and France, who have only one title each would both have numerous tittles, and especially England.  South America would never have been the most victorious continent.  Also, Americans have too strong of a competitive mentality in anything, be it capitalism, or sports.  Which is why they never play soccer, because it would take time to create a soccer culture, and because of that, they would lose a lot before they start winning.  And for the United States, that´s not acceptable, that´s why subjects like Vietnam, and The Twin Towers, and Baseball World Cup are taboos, they were times in which they were handed defeat.   The mentality can be seen in their sports, especially football, where it´s always about crush kill and destroy.  Be it monopolies and the economic of the country, be it its politics, or its sports, and soccer is one of the few things that they can´t crush kill and destroy, and in which they have to be humble.
1182205
The English are proud, and also Loyal. Do we seem bothered that everyone wants us to lose? No, Do we care who you`ll be supporting? No. I think Its jealousy because your teams didnt even make It, Nothing worse than sore losers!! If we win, then that will be great, If we lose....at least we can say we were there, took part, and done our best. To the peoples whose countires didnt make It, Its like the lottery......You have to be In It to win It. Your not and we are. Come on England!!!
706747
It's alright to have a couple foreign players, but at a certain point you look at the name "ENGLISH Premier League" and you have to wonder if any of them are English at all.  Its a tough issue because on one hand I should be happy to see a well played game of football, but on the other hand, if I want to watch English teams, shouldn't the players on them be from England?
322902
Americans are a proud people...and what's hard for you, and other countries where soccer/football is predominant to understand, is most Americans love our own sports.  We're a country based on freedoms, those freedoms earned by our war of independence with England.  Soccer has been played here for years, but not as a professional sport.  I think what turned Americans around about soccer and how it's viewed, is the Women's Olympic team and their triumphs.  For me, my ties are with England, having been raised there when I was a child.  Although my parents are American, my brother was adopted there, and is completely "British" in attitude, demeanor, everything except accent!  He speaks better "suthern" than I do!  But being raised HERE since he was 3, his favorite sports are baseball and our football.  For myself, I am a diehard Manchester United Football Club fan, with plans to finally see my team play next year live!  But what I love the most, I think, is the fact that a man who owns one of OUR football teams here in the state I live in (Florida) ALSO owns controlling interest in my British football team!  How great is that?!  American owned...but British through and through.  Give us time, we're slowly coming around to loving soccer as much as the rest of the world!  I wear a multinational necktie at work, with flags of all the countries that have soccer teams in the World Cup, and soccer balls on it, you would not believe the responses, or conversations that start because of that tie.  I am quite surprised at how many people come into our restaurant and talk to me about soccer!  So you see...times are changing...people are aware of the sport the rest of the world considers "football", and if I mention "soccer", they usually correct me.  Patience is a virtue...and it's really great seeing how this game is finally taking off here in the USA. :)