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  • A bounty for Barca


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    Regular readers will not be shocked to know I’m not a fan of the giant clubs. This boy wants the global soccer money gap narrowed enough so that an inspired smaller club that has an amazing season can actually win the English Premier League, or Serie A, or La Liga.

    But if I had to pick a giant club to express some heartfelt admiration for, it just might be Barcelona.

    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    The Catalans have always treasured flowing, foot-to-foot football, and have never surrendered the fronts of the jerseys to the logos and brand names of big-time corporate sponsors. When the time came for Barca to don a logo, they chose the international children’s charity UNICEF. As a guy who makes half his living working with kids, how could I not love that?

    So – story breaks yesterday. Barca are signed to play the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders in August, and they’re looking for a third MLS side to fill out the tour.

    This comes among rising rumours that Barcelona’s ultimate Spanish nemesis – Real Not Salt Lake – are considering a side trip to BMO Field to spread some Galactico glitter-dust on awe-struck Toronto FC supporters sometime later this summer.

    My task is clear. And if money be the grease of such games, it’s time to put my extremely limited resources where my mouth is.

    Way back in the original season of Saturday Night Live (1975, if you’re scoring at home), producer Lorne Michaels publicly offered the Beatles $3,000 if they would reunite on the show.

    It was both a wonderful joke and a serious offer. Michaels told the Fab Four they could split the money any way they like, and if they wanted to give Ringo a little less, that was fine with him.

    Urban legend has it that Paul McCartney was visiting John Lennon at the Dakota that night, and the two titanic troubadours loved the joke so much, they almost grabbed their guitars and hopped in a cab to claim the cash. What an unbelievable pop-culture milestone that would have been!

    So, with all that and more in mind, it’s time to step up to the plate.

    Onward! – in full view of all – is officially offering FC Barcelona $11 (Canadian) to play a friendly match of football, at BMO Field in Toronto, against Toronto FC.

    The money can be divided any way the club sees fit. Maybe each starter gets a dollar. Maybe you toss some to the scrubs, as well. Maybe you give Samuel Eto'o a few cents less, just to send whatever message one might wish to send.

    Some things to consider:

    - This is the most money currently being offered by any accredited member of the working North American soccer media.

    - This offer is unprecedented.

    - The money is instantly transferable for goods and services anywhere in Canada.

    - This offer is not being made to Real Not Salt Lake.

    In the grinding global game of top-level soccer domination, every little bit helps. This is certainly a little bit. I’d even be happy to donate the entire $11 directly to UNICEF, if that would seal the deal.

    I must, in fairness, note that in addition to my journalistic proclivities, I am also a full-throated supporter of Toronto FC. I will cheering against Barca on the night, should this magic game materialize. But the money is still good. This offer is real – and open.

    If anyone reading this has any kind of inside contact with the Catalans, please feel free to forward this offer.

    I first mentioned this on yesterday’s edition of “It’s Called Football.” And while the $11 I flashed on the show was subsequently spent on the Star Trek movie and a bag of brightly coloured peanut-chocolate confection, eleven other dollars can be found – at any moment – to take their place.

    Barca, this is a reward for beautiful football, and your commendable embracing of children’s charity. A way of saying “as long as you’re in the neighbourhood, welcome to my home.”

    The $11 will be available – in full, and in cash – at the centre spot at game-time.

    I look forward to hearing from you.

    // Ben Knight, Writer/Publisher

    Onward!



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