The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! Manchester United was recently purchased by Russian oil millionaire Ralif Safin, founder of oil company Lukoil. Mr. Safin is following in the footsteps of Russian entrepreneur Roman Abramovich who purchased Chelsea a while back. (This is all true.)
The question is, is this a sign of Russian capitalism advancing or of Soviet style empire building advancing?
The richest Russian oil man Mikail Knodorkovsky was thrown into a Siberian prison and had his immense oil enterprise taken from him by Putin after he dared to stand up to the 'democratic' leader. Putin has used the profits from the now-state owned oil firm to finance his particular brand of Czar-like politics (also all true). If Safin and Abramovich were also sent to the hinterlands, would Putin have control over English football?
Just be thankful that the Soviets don't understand cricket.
