Conflicts of interest and abuses of power are well-documented hallmarks of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s reign. Berlusconi has a stranglehold on Italian media outlets (many of which, he owns) and isn’t shy about manipulating legislation to avoid being tried in court. One has to wonder what role his magical touch has played in the current state of affairs at his club, AC Milan. The Rossoneri, once feared as arguably the best football side in the world, are nothing more than a shadow of their former selves.
At the end of last season, the media magnate refused to reinvest in the club, claiming that the club is bleeding money. As a result, Silvio continued to meddle in football matters, ushering Kaká, his best player, out the door to Real Madrid for $93 million. Not surprisingly, Milan was knocked out at an early stage of the Champions League yet again. This time, a talented and youthful Manchester United squad put them to the sword in ruthless fashion, winning 7-2 in aggregate.
It’s been obvious for some time that Milan has been short of the creative verve for which they have been known. The core of the team has been largely unchanged since Milan won the Champions League in 2007. Since then, Milan has failed to progress beyond the round of 16. Age, the silent killer of most athletic careers, has clearly crept in. Even the renowned Milan Lab is clearly incapable of reversing the effects of father time. To solve that riddle, Silvio needs to open the purse strings and let the football people make the football decisions needed to resurrect the team. Only then will he begin to halt this great club’s fall from grace. It’s the least a club with Milan’s storied past deserves.
