Michael Emenalo, the director of football for the Saudi Arabian Pro League, was a guest on the UK’s talkSPORT programme today, fielding questions from Jim White, Simon Jordan, the former chairman of Crystal Palace, and ex Arsenal defender Martin Keown.
Emenalo was challenged about the “threat” to the global game by the sort of seemingly limitless funds available to the league. Saudi club Al Ittihad reportedly bid £200m for Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah, but the English club refused to budge. Emenalo, who was instrumental to bringing Salah to Chelsea, when he was their director of football, said the Egyptian “was almost like a son” to him.
Watch the interview below.
The former Enugu Rangers and Nigeria leftback, stressed that the Saudi game will respect the “tenets” of football, but suggested that their infusion of big spending was not new. He said it mirrored what happened with Serie A in Italy in the 1990s and the current financial dominance of the Premier League in England.
Emenalo said the ultimate goal of the Saudi league was to be “one of the best in the world”, endearing the league to fans in the kingdom and across the world. He emphasised “giving back” to football fans in the kingdom by growing the league, but dismissed any suggestions that there were plans for the Saudi Pro League to participate in the European Champions League.
