Football and rugby union shows Capitalism needs to change meaning

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez (R), with two Sheikhs and Zinedine Zidane (CL) (Image: Daily Star)

Capitalism has divided people around the world. Many have voiced strong concern about it. In the past, some have "occupied" parts of major cities to protest against the concept. They believe Capitalism exploits the greedy side of the greed - 'they only think profits, and that's disgusting', they claim. However, others believe Capitalism is a good thing. They reckon profits are the only way we're going to survive in an uncertain world. Besides, 'Communism is so 1980s'.

It is fair to say that football has embraced Capitalism. Since Rupert Murdoch spent millions, then later billions, on the English Premier League, the sport never really looked back. Every deal has several more noughts in the end of insignificant business than we can ever imagine getting in our lifetime. For example, Juan Mata's recent move from Chelsea to Manchester United was worth £37.1 million - that's normal talk in modern football. This attitude has put off some faithful fans who say money has ruined the beautiful game, while others revel in this. It's something new and exciting to discuss with your mates in the pub.

Football is currently in a phase where money talks - nobody can deny that. It has divided people, but one thing is for certain, it gets people talking. With all its media attention, the sport attracts more people than ever before - from women who talk about the stars and their wives, to young teenagers who are consumed in the X-Box revolution and queue outside the Game shop at midnight, just to get their hands on the latest Fifa game.

However, one thing that has shocked me is the extent to how football has financially developed over the past 20 years. It is easy to say 'money talks', but how loud? Accountancy firm, Deloitte, recently revealed their annual Football Money League. The title is self-explanatory and if you're an avid football fan, it will come to no surprise to you that Real Madrid are the richest side on earth. Their revenue by the end of the 2012/13 season reached €518.9 million. Even if your maths is poor, it doesn't take a genius to think that's a lot of money. The Spanish side has come a long way since the late 1990s (in 1997/98, their income was just €72.2 million).

Not far behind Real Madrid in the Money League are their fierce rivals, Barcelona. In fact, only one of the top 30 teams in the League is based outside of Europe (Corinthians in Brazil). It makes you wonder why the European Union is in such disarray. If football is doing well, why can't the nations, where these filthy rich clubs are based, cope? In Spain, recent figures show that a massive 26.03% are without work and are struggling to find means to live. The country is slowly paying off its debt, but they are crawling rather than strolling.

Football is great escapism but it makes you wonder how organisations such as Real Madrid and Barcelona football clubs are doing so well when their home nation isn't. It proves Spain does have business-minded humans, but they have no idea where their priorities lie. Real Madrid's president, Florentino Perez, has invested so much money on his team, and is now worth $1.9 billion according to Forbes. He can surely offer some hope to his fellow countrymen. He can invest in a new venture, providing thousands of jobs, potentially making a significant contribution to getting Spain back on its feet. 75,000 turn up to Real's matches at the Bernabeu, spending £100 per ticket, the least Senor Perez can do is give something in return.

I'm not saying that Perez would single-handedly overturn Spain's misfortunes. But, if he knows how much suffering his nation is enduring, then surely a man with his wealth can contribute to the Spanish economy, rather than just using his football team to boost the country's tourism. Real Madrid is doing the country justice with its global fame, but being famous doesn't always take your people places. It is Capitalism gone mad.

While big football teams are blossoming, rugby union is digging deep to fund small investments in order to develop the sport. As the very popular Six Nations tournament begins, the future of Wales Rugby Union (WRU), appears unclear. Their four regions (Cardiff Blues, Swansea/ Neath Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons and Llanelli Scarlets) are disputing with the WRU about future funding, a potential Anglo-Welsh League, and are up in arms because their best players are moving to England and France, simply because they cannot afford to keep the brightest Welsh talent.

Wales Six Nation triumph, 2013 (Image: Wales Online)

These disputes are losing the WRU money and crucial deadlines pass with little agreement. Much of the debate happens behind closed doors and fans don't know what is going on - and they want answers. The most frustrating part of it all is that the WRU are in dangerous territory as their plans are starting to deteriorate. The main issue they must overcome, in my opinion, is that there is so much focus on the four bigger clubs who play in European cups every year, little is done to develop the young and fresh potential talent from the highly regarded local leagues.

The WRU knows there is too little investment in rugby union, they haven't embraced Capitalism the way football has. Even though rugby union will probably never get the extent of the cash football has, their fans admit that money needs to come in. Little do the WRU realise is that, without big money TV deals and internationally-recognised sponsorships, a sport cannot live the way they desire. The WRU needs to make bold moves by carrying on with promoting and advertising the four regions in addition to hyping the local teams. Some media mogul will one day recognise Welsh rugby the way they see the English Aviva Premiership - therefore, disputes will be minimal even if their morals are put to the test. If not, then Wales's Six Nations glory days could be numbered.

Money isn't the answer to everything. However, in the world of Capitalism, you need some of it to survive. What is needed now is a suitable balance between giving and sharing. Real Madrid needs to share its wealth to the suffering in Spain while the WRU need some investment to please all clubs. Fans may not like the fact that 'money talks', but in today's climate, it's money or crisis?