Les Habitants de Liverpool

I wasn't going to talk about the Liverpool takeover this week, because it's one of those subjects that I just don't know enough about to have a truly informed opinion. Same goes for the debacle that is Italian football at the moment. (Of course, this same principle doesn't prevent me from spouting off about the England team, but I figure I can't be any worse than Steve McClaren there.)

For the record: I'm cautiously optimistic about the takeover -- the club clearly needs an injection of funds -- although I'm not thrilled by the idea of Liverpool (or Man United, for that matter) being owned by Americans. And there are a lot of articles out there saying essentially the same thing. This one, though, really got under my skin.

Look, I know that plenty of Americans (and Canadians) can be snotty about soccer. But it doesn't help your cause to be snotty and condescending right back. Just because George Gillett and Tom Hicks aren't English doesn't mean they don't understand how a club can be "an emotional force in the lives of countless people." You want to talk about "a sporting institution steeped in history, personality and passion"? Gillett owns the Montreal Canadiens, for god's sake.

In conclusion: Shut up, Henry Winter. You just made me defend a couple of American tycoons. (I'm pretty sure they can take away my Canadian citizenship for that.)

If they sell naming rights to Anfield, though, all bets are off.