Fansided

7 reasons the International Champions Cup should be thrown down a well and left there

By Dan Voicescu

SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 14: Guests attend the official launch ceremony of 2017 International Champions Cup China on March 14, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 14: Guests attend the official launch ceremony of 2017 International Champions Cup China on March 14, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images) /
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HORSENS, DENMARK – JULY 23: A fan of AC Horsens with the match programme during the Danish Alka Superliga match between AC Horsens and Lyngby BK at CASA Arena on July 23, 2017 in Horsens, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images)
HORSENS, DENMARK – JULY 23: A fan of AC Horsens with the match programme during the Danish Alka Superliga match between AC Horsens and Lyngby BK at CASA Arena on July 23, 2017 in Horsens, Denmark. (Photo by Lars Ronbog / FrontZoneSport via Getty Images) /

The ICC Charade shouldn’t fool anyone

Before the ICC came along throwing piles of cash and looking to recoup even more cash in return, there was something comforting in settling in to watch a pointless friendly game. You knew exactly what you were getting into. Cheap tickets, hot summer days, a chance to see your favorite club’s summer signings and to get a glimpse in to how they may line up. Just a quick preview, a comforting sight, knowing that real soccer is just around the corner. No stress, no need to check the secondary market for reasonably priced tickets, no need to think to much about the corporatization of the beautiful game.

The ICC managed to turn the summer exhibition tour into an exclusive ultra-premium event. Fans are priced out, the competition is hyped up WWF-style by the likes of Charlie Stilitano, soccer’s version of Ed McMahon. It’s very tempting us into taking it seriously: “Hey, look, we’re giving you the El Clasico! How can you resist, it’s Messi vs. Ronaldo.”  That all needs to stop. A Real-Barca game in July is still a glorified training session. It will never measure up to the real thing. There is no meaning, no point to this.

Next: Ranking every Premier League season

Fans need to resist the temptation to buy into the hype. Paying top dollar for these games is the equivalent of knowingly buying a fake Rolex watch at retail prices. It’s somewhere between insane and ridiculous.

In the interest of the beautiful game, it’s time for soccer fans across North America and Asia to stop stuffing the pockets of venture capitalists with cash and throw this competition down the well.

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