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Expensive “loyalty” dents world’s most popular sport

16 Sept 13:43 Key points summarised by AI

Steven Gerrard's past comments in Thailand highlighted the intense fan passion but also the financial struggles of many to afford official merchandise, revealing the high cost of 'sport loyalty'.
The 'Pimrypie controversy' involved a celebrity selling heavily discounted tickets for the Liverpool vs. Manchester United match in Bangkok, exposing the exorbitant original prices and sparking debate over fair access for fans.
The incident underscores how fan passion and sporting rivalries are increasingly monetized, with high ticket costs making elite events inaccessible to many, challenging the pure love of the game.
It questions the balance between the idealistic view of sport and the commercial realities, where wealth can overshadow passion and create a significant divide between clubs, organizers, and their dedicated supporters.

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.