We all have someone in our circle who is passionate about football. This sphere of activity acts like a truncated icosahedron, eliciting intense emotions in everyone. The beauty of this sport, while not the most sublime that has ever existed, has nevertheless managed to end conflicts, unite peoples, and evoke emotions that captivate more than four billion individuals every four years. But what about Lebanese football?
A Taste of Things to Come
In a country where football is considered one of the most popular national sports alongside basketball, it is essential to step back and critically analyze the current situation of this beloved sport among most Lebanese people. However, behind the overflowing passion of the fans and the general excitement, football in Lebanon is unfortunately plagued by systemic problems that cannot be ignored. Politics, omnipresent in all aspects of Lebanese life, has extended its tentacular influence into the sporting domain, largely undermining the credibility and integrity of national football.
The Lebanese Football Federation, supposed to be the driving force behind the sport's development, is itself plagued by endemic problems of corruption. Allegations of embezzlement, favoritism, and mismanagement tarnish the image of the governing body of football. Local football follows a well-defined pyramid of political corruption: at the top of this pyramid are investments from club presidents and wealthy individuals intertwined with religious oppositions. Trickling down from this peak, the money invested within the clubs resembles taxes in a game of Monopoly; after a generous collection by the presidents, the investments leave no chance for sound management of the fields.
To date, more than eight players have suffered cruciate ligament injuries in a single football season. Teams, whether prominent or of lesser stature, struggle with problems such as unpaid wages, poorly maintained fields and lawns, as well as dilapidated infrastructures. This neglect not only harms the quality of the game but also hinders the development of local talents. Beyond development, according to reliable sources, the Lebanese football league already knows which teams will be relegated and promoted at the beginning of each season. Astonishing!
Speaking of young talents, identifying promising young players in football is by far the aspect that requires the most investment. With a vast diaspora across the world, it is time to encourage potential youth to engage in revitalizing the Lebanese league. Brazil and the African continent boast more than 1327 young Lebanese aspiring to pursue a career in football. However, mismanagement and corruption within the Federation drive these talents away from the local scene, despite the existence of promising training centers such as the Elite Football Academy, Athletico Sports Club, and Beirut Football Academy.
This situation is even more concerning for a national team composed of players aged between 27 and 31, who wear the Cedars jersey. Our investigation suggests that the selection is influenced not by the coach, but by the federation president, and seems to be based on sectarian criteria. Lack of experience might be a hindrance to success in football. However, this does not question the talents present in the national team, such as Basel Jrade, Nader Matar, Karim Darwich, and Mohammad Haydar. On the other hand, some Lebanese players prefer to play in foreign leagues, like the Melki brothers, who left for Sweden before returning for the new season in Lebanon. But why leave a league offering more visibility, better infrastructure, and a higher level for Lebanon?
Money, Sectarianism, Politics
Another shadow looming over Lebanese football is the inequality of representation among players. Opportunities for young talents from various social backgrounds and geographical regions are often biased. National selections and top teams are sometimes perceived as influenced by political connections rather than sporting merit. This practice undermines the fundamental principle of sporting equity and diverts football's potential as a unifying force in Lebanese society.
Indeed, the Lebanese football league is divided into several sectarian teams, with the Shiite teams being the most dominant (6), followed by Sunnis (3), Christians (2), and Druze (1) teams. A federation led by a religious movement that favors teams sharing the same values. In the rankings, presidents who offer the best negotiations throughout the year will see their team either promoted or relegated, as stipulated earlier.
Faced with the mismanagement of the Lebanese league, several presidents wishing to remain anonymous already see Tamim Sleyman, president of the federation, as a modern-day Antoine Choueiry. He embodies a broader vision of sports and has already achieved promising results in handball with al-Saad. With al-Ahed, Tamim Sleyman and his team hope to achieve a memorable season, currently second in the Lebanese league and a finalist in the West Asia Cup.
The arrival of a new president could give hope for a renewal of the football sphere. More diversity would be beneficial, with more advantageous recruitment for young players in full growth and a promising transfer market for foreign players. Such a philosophy could be implemented if the vision changes, but shifting from interference led by political parties such as Amal to another party, even if it is not the same person, does not represent the most prolific change.
The ethics of sport are currently being violated and corrupted. This far from encourages local talents to stay in Lebanon.
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