A lesson from Mexico for Chelsea & Abramovich

A rather unpleasant and expensive disagreement continues to rumble on this week between the French and the Mexicans. Allow me to offer those of you who haven’t anywhere near the amount of free time I have to observe these delicate matters, a brief rundown of the story so far.

The auction house Les Ventes à Drouot, fittingly French I’m sure you’ll agree, have sold their most expensive and treasured statue to the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History, or, if you prefer – La Instituto Nacional de Antropoloía e Historia.

Since the purchase however, the Mexicans have begun to dispute the authenticity of the piece. They have argued that ‘… the posture and the flexed legs and the boot straps are not the same’. Their expensive investment, they say, simply does not represent what they thought they had bought and is not living up to their expectation.

The French however, are having none of it, saying candidly ‘un marché est un accord’ – a deal’s a deal, Monsieur! And have already, they confirmed to me today, invested the money on other statues which they are very happy with.

I realised this unhappy situation represented something far closer to our footballing home. Below, I have written how this sorry standoff between the French and the Mexicans is being replicated in the football world. 

A rather unpleasant and expensive disagreement continues to rumble on this week between a billionaire Russian and the Americans. Allow me to offer those of you who have been living under a rock since January a brief rundown of the story so far.

The auction house Liverpool FC, not very American I’m sure you’ll agree, but still owned by one none the less, have sold their most expensive and treasured statue to the Russian billionaire’s thing play, or, if you prefer – Chelsea Football Club.

Since the purchase however, the bulging pockets Russian has begun to dispute the authenticity of the piece. He has argued that ‘… the composure and the cheetah like legs and the scoring boots are not the same’. Chelsea’s investment, at personal expense to the owner, says the object simply does not represent what they thought they had bought and is not living up to their expectation.

The Liverpudlian-Americans however, are having none of it, saying candidly ‘A deal’s a deal mate, so calm down!’. And have already, they confirmed to the world not long ago, invested the money on other statues which they are very happy with.

Have Liverpool, like the French, pulled off one of the greatest sleights of hand in football history? Only time will tell. But for now the Mexicans have a nickname for their expensive let down – Fernando Torres.

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