Many Malaysians had a slight crush on Norwich in 2003 when Proton signed a three-year deal to be the club’s sponsor.
It proved to be a somewhat successful partnership as Norwich earned promotion to the Premier League that season but were relegated after one year in the top flight.
Last season, Norwich was once again in the Premier League and many Malaysians took a fancy to them for having players like Teemu Pukki and Alexander Tettey. The team was and is still managed by Daniel Farke.
Juvenile humour but many were easily amused, none more so than the television and radio pundits.
On the other end of the scale, Sheffield United equalled the record for the earliest relegation from the Premier League with six matches left.
Three other teams – Ipswich (1994-95), Derby (2007-08) and Huddersfield (2018-19) – were also demoted with six matches remaining.
But the talk, however, was the threat of the European Super League (ESL) when 12 teams – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid (Spain), Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan (Italy), Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – threatened a new world order.
After a backlash from almost everybody, only Real, Barcelona and Juventus ‘remain’ in the league.
Real’s president Florentino Perez remains confident and said the Super League “is on standby” and promised to “continue working” to make it happen.
Liverpool legend John Barnes hit the nail on the head when he told talkRADIO: “This was about two elite groups that wanted to have the power to exploit football.”
“It was never about the fans. It was about Uefa trying to hold on to power, the Premier League trying to hold on to their power and another group, this new ESL trying to come into power.
“In 1992 when the Premier League started, football became a business.”
Yes, football is a business and don’t bet against the rich men from trying to “save football” further down the line while lining their pockets, of course.
SATURDAY
Arsenal vs Everton (3am)
Liverpool vs Newcastle (7.30pm)
SUNDAY
West Ham vs Chelsea (12.30am)
Sheffield United vs Brighton (3am)
Wolves vs Burnley (7pm)
Leeds vs Manchester United (9pm)
MONDAY
Aston Villa vs West Brom (2am)
TUESDAY
Leicester vs Crystal Palace (3am)
