Marcus Rashford may not have the level of fandom associated to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but he is still very well known.
The forward plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United – where he has scored over 50 goals and earns over 240,000 pounds a week.
Rashford has also scored over a dozen goals for the England National team as well as receiving an MBE for his commendable campaign, to support vulnerable children in England.
With Australia’s winter football festival in full swing, fans of the round ball game have been left infuriated due to the superstar’s recent media duties whilst in Australia.
Rashford was front in centre, smiling in a photo with several Melbourne based sports teams – which seems standard protocol for a visiting star on media duties in Australia,
There were players from AFL, rugby, cricket, hockey, netball and even baseball present – but where were the football players?
None of the Melbourne based A-League men’s or women’s sides were anywhere to be seen, there was zero representation from the professional sport in Victoria.
The last truly global superstar from a different sport, with the exception of Usain Bolt – that showed any respect to Australian football on a visit was F1 legend, Michael Schumacher.
Schumacher is a lifelong fan of FC Koln and spent time with NSL side South Melbourne in the 90s – Where he took part in training as well as some trial matches
Rashford will wear no blame in this indiscretion and nor should he – after all he is following Manchester United’s obligations when it comes to the media.
Engaging and polite as Rashford was, I’m sure internally he may have been asking the same questions as myself – why am I holding this weird egg-shaped ball?
Rashford wasn’t the only bemused one, as I’ve lived in Australia the majority of my life and still don’t understand AFL as a sport and its popularity.
I’ve never been to a match, seen a game on tv or even kicked a ball before –watching paint dry or mowing the front lawn is more entertaining to me.
The Victoria government is responsible for bringing Manchester United down under, but one of the stipulations that should’ve been enforced – was no form of cross promotion with rival codes.
Every year though for as long as I can remember, when a visiting European football team comes to Australia – there always seems to be the obligatory photo with other codes.
Besides the fact it’s cringeworthy, it’s incredibly disrespectful and distasteful to football in Australia.
How many fans of the rival codes that took part in the photo, would even know who Marcus Rashford is or what sport he plays – if not for his Manchester United clothing?
Another promotional photo saw Rashford posing just with the AFL ball, like he had switched codes – maybe there’ll be a photo of him showing players how to kick the ball or trying to inspire the next indigenous child in remote Australia to play AFL.
The last thing Australian football needed, was to give free publicity to rival codes – Especially one like the AFL; which has never been a friend.
Who can forget how destructive the AFL was to Australia’s bid in 2009 to host the biggest and most watched tournament in the world – the world cup.
When their CEO at the time, refused to cooperate in terms of allowing access to grounds should Australia win the once in a lifetime right to the tournament.
The FA and APL have been very quiet in the Rashford faux par, which is the latest addition in a season that was blighted with off field mistakes by the game governing body.
Australian football needs to put its foot down, when it comes to benefitting other codes – codes which have done everything possible, to make them feel like the outcast in Australian sporting circles.
At work
Roar Rookie
I can live with the cross promotion involving all other codes, but seems very strange the Melbourne based A League teams were missing. I think another photo shoot should've also happened involving the Melbourne based NPL teams, you know since they're football (grassroots). What I can't stand is that the bl00dy sherrin always gets a run in the photo op, does my head in.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
There's more then one version of rugby? :thumbdown: :unhappy: Lol
chris
Guest
lol it was league..not rugby.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
at least someone picked up on what i was trying to say lol. people assume it was purely a shot at the AFL and other codes, which is semi was - however it was also about the missed PR opportunity for football (once again)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
definitely not the 10th best league in asia (its higher than that) i think the ranking is so low, solely based on the financial difference between middle east, korea, japan etc (some of these sides have 2 or 3 players worth more than the enitre a league salary cap for teams)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
suncorp was pre occupied by the state of origin booking, cant allow football to get in the way of rugby
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
every major melbourne sporting code was represented, except from the sport that the player is actually from. - its wrong on so many levels. if im being really anal about it (as most football supporters should be) the only promotion should've been victory vs united, no other sport should've been anywhere near the player this week. to a lesser extent i would've been happy with city and western united players there as an overall promotion for victorian football in general
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
you assume my heritage, assumptions are a very dangerous thing :) if and when the player signs, you will have my view :)
Nick
Roar Guru
irstly, politicians are so in bed with the backyard codes it’s ridiculous. I mean, how cerebrally challenged does it get. yeah! That's how you get government funding...by belittling them! Well done, sir.
Nick
Roar Guru
And why do local footballers need to have a photo shoot with these superstars? Um, to get that "international exposure" that you think is so embarrassing for AFL players to get. You reckon anyone in European football circles could pick these local lads out of a police line up?
chris
Guest
And how's the war going for you? How good is the AFL push into enemy territories (ie anywhere but Vic, SA and WA) going? Has the war effort stalled? Keep up the morale, you might gain some territory within the next 160 years or so.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
Also, we have to remember, Victory started pre-season a week ago whereas Man Utd start their season in 3 weeks. That would have played a big part in Victory's tactics as they knew they wouldn't be able to outrun Man Utd as the second half progressed.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
The question I have Jbinnie is why was the Roar - Leeds match was played on a weeknight on the Gold Coast instead of Suncorp Stadium on the Sunday? Instead, they chose to have Aston Villa play Leeds at Suncorp in Sunday. Brisbane Roar should play in Brisbane not 90km away on the GC. They should have swapped the two fixtures around.
Maximus Insight
Guest
Well said. Sadly, around these parts, FIL's blatherings receive better reception than straight truths like this
Maximus Insight
Guest
Strewth.
chris
Guest
Let's wait and see? The past few seasons have been decimated with Covid. Yes Covid is still here but people seem to be accepting that, if properly vaxxed, can get out and about. With SFC back to their proper home and MVC looking strong, things are looking more positive. Hopefully WSW are competitive as well.
chris
Guest
It was good seeing Albo wearing a Socceroo shirt the other day getting his Covid jab : )
Melange
Guest
BB, I've read that many times over the years AFL liaise so well with government. I wonder in Victoria whether they do, or whether there is just an old boys network in local government that will always handover money/infrastructure, whatever, to their old AFL buddies. Look at FIL post below for another example where despite the succeed participation rates in Newcastle, they are treated like third class football citizens.
jbinnie
Guest
Cattery - Are you talking length????? Years ago a "competition" was set up as parts of the Royal Show in Brisbane. All four codes were asked to nominate a "kicker" and I was instrumental is entering our young goalkeeper into the test. Who won the test? Not your "50 metre arc kicker" but that same young goalkeeper who out kicked the other competitors by some 10 metres. We were never asked back to a "kicking competition" again. Cheers jb.
Melange
Guest
In context JB, it was a cross code promotion and I've heard directly from the questioner that it took multiple takes for Johnson to successfully convert more than half. They were impressed none the less, with his overall success rate.