Pirates' league or soccer for the people
As China has resolved to become a superpower in world soccer within a generation, it can pick the best examples and avoid the worst excesses. At base camp it can decide how it wants to reach the peak.
German or English model? After the disaster of Euro2000, the Germans went back to basics and youth academies. Within 14 years, they won the World Cup.
In England, corporate boxes and hipster "fans" rake in the revenues while the majority is excluded or penalized. Liverpool supporters went on strike recently complaining of exorbitant ticket prices. They knew ticket prices of about 12 ($13.38) are common in wealthier Germany while the English need to fork out an average of 33. It is cheaper to travel to Germany from England to watch a match than staying in England and going to an English Premier League fixture.
