When the going gets tough . . . Real Madrid against Japan s Jubilo Iwata is like asking a slaughtered cow to brush its teeth - illogical and irrelevant. But it s best not to pursue this line of quibbling as it s shorter than a mendacious minister s memory.
European leagues are superior.
But they must prove it on the pitch as well as on balance sheets. And even if European or South American teams do canter to victory in every Club World Championship in the foreseeable future, that s no justification for scoffing at a competition that brings together the top clubs from each continent. That sort of sneering attitude is what made Al Nassr s 4-3 win over Raja Casablanca the most entertaining match of the first CWC, even though it featured some outrageous bungling. Besides, it s not like Europeans have a choice - most of the planet s footie fans come from places the wealthy just find irritating, and they demand such tournaments to give 'em a shot at the snobs. And watch out, coz today s victims tend to be tomorrow s tormentors, even in footballing circles.