Football - IPL Style

[live]

Agent confirms plans for Indian showpiece tournament

 

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=758305&sec=global&cc=5901

 

Super agent Pini Zahavi has confirmed to Soccernet that he has been approached over a proposed Indian showpiece tournament based on cricket's IPL.

 

Zahavi, who has been involved in big takeovers in England and recently fronted a £1 billion offer to buy Manchester United, was approached on Friday by Soccernet but has refused to comment.

 

Zahavi confirmed, though, that initial talks have begun over a role recruiting star players and that he has agreed to meet the backers of this remarkable concept in India.

 

Such is the secrecy behind this initiative that Zahavi has not been told any of the details of the meetings planned in India.

 

Zahavi has been sounded out by Chris Nathaniel, who represents a number of players' commercial deals, to meet the financial backers for the project in India. It is also hoped that Kia Joorabchian, who represents some of the big names in South American football such as Robinho, can help in establishing the competition.

 

The first stage of the blueprint is to attract star players who are out of contract and launch a two-month league, but there is enormous wealth in India and it would be hoped that it would eventual attract significant global attention.

 

India would view the Indian Football Premier League as a launching pad to bid for the 2026 or 2030 World Cup. It is understood that India will now also initiate a plan using the super agents to attract top clubs for friendly cups over the next two years.

[muleskinner]

Who the f*** is going to let their highly paid contracted star players play in that?

[Buzz]

Who the f*** is going to let their highly paid contracted star players play in that?

They don't need to.

The first stage of the blueprint is to attract star players who are out of contract and launch a two-month league

[muleskinner]

They don't need to.

 

Ah, yes. It still sounds a fairly s*** soulless idea. Much like the IPL cricket.

[Duncan Disorderly]

but there is enormous wealth in India

Says it all really. There's also enormous poverty in India, but no-one give a flying fu*k about that.

[madaboutlfc]

Says it all really. There's also enormous poverty in India, but no-one give a flying fu*k about that.

poor people are insignificant in reality though.. I mean you would never see Coutts opening up a branch on Sheil Road or Prescott Road or Scotty Road..

[Sion]

Indians are gonna love the sight of Mark Viduka and Michael Ball rocking up to play

[stressederic]

They don't need to.

 

That's a smart idea they've come up with. The thing about top players that really distinguishes them, is the way they are often out of contract. Fool proof.