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Opinion
Tim Cahill is, of course, one of the greatest-ever Socceroos. Five goals over the course of four World Cups and countless winners to get us there in the first place solidified his on-field legacy.
Who could forget the historic equaliser and winner in Kaiserslautern in 2006?
That incredible left-foot over the shoulder volley against the Netherlands in 2014?
He enjoyed a distinguished club career too, with 56 Premier League goals for Everton and even a Ballon d’Or nomination in 2006.
Along the way there were stops in China, the United States and back home in the A-League, before a short stint with Millwall and a final pay day in India.
In fact, beginning with the move to New York Red Bulls 10 years ago when Cahill was 33 years old, it seems rather than winning his primary motivation became the almighty dollar.
But fair enough, right? A footballer’s career is short – 15 to 20 years at most, if they’re lucky.
The problem with Timmy is he seems to love an earn a little too much, and will take it in any way it comes.
“They asked if I would take part, even though I was only 14 at the time and it was an under-20 tournament,” he said about representing Western Samoa back in 1994.
“I saw it simply as a chance to go on holiday because my grandmother was ill at the time in Samoa. It was a chance to go back and see her on expenses as the Samoans were paying for all my flights, accommodation and living expenses.
“I could not have cared less about playing for them. It was a men’s tournament and I never expected to play.”
I could not have cared less.
Some might qualify those statements, pointing to the fact Cahill was 23 at the time. Maybe it was the foolishness of youth. Perhaps he regrets those comments now that he’s retired.
But judging by how he’s sold out for FIFA and the Qatar regime, as far as I’m concerned the pursuit of free stuff and seven-figure paycheques shows he was only ever in it for the money.
Cahill is employed as a ‘Qatar Legacy Ambassador’, which sounds like code for sportswashing ambassador.
He’s either blissfully ignorant about the Qatar regime, or simply doesn’t care as long as the cheques keep clearing. And that is nothing short of disgraceful.
Timmy’s got his fingers in many pies, also holding the position of Chief Sports Officer for Qatar’s Aspire Academy and he was selected as Australia’s Head of Delegation for the World Cup.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images for Australia Football)
Accepting the Head of Delegation position is one thing. He’s still representing his country and as controversial as the context of this World Cup is, I could understand it if it was just that role.
But by taking their money Cahill is complicit in Qatar’s attempt to sportswash their image and sweep human rights abuses under the rug.
When SBS journalist Ben Lewis interviewed Cahill before the start of the World Cup all was fine until questioning turned to the Middle Eastern nation’s human rights record.
Just look at what Cahill’s eyes do when Lewis asks the question. You can see, just from his facial expression, how uncomfortable the former Socceroo is. Luckily for Timmy, a rep from one of FIFA’s sponsors pulls the plug before he has a chance to answer.
Lewis was promised a follow-up interview. You won’t be surprised to read that it never happened.
I’m sure Cahill’s press conference later being cancelled due to “scheduling issues” was totally above board and definitely not him ducking tough questions from journos.
It pains me to write all this because of how his goals for the national team made me feel. Tim Cahill was superhuman in my 10-year-old eyes when he turned the Japan game in 2006 on its head with two monumental goals in the space of five minutes.
But his insatiable hunger to expand his bank account has completely and irrevocably tarnished his legacy.
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