The Men Who Sell Football | Al Jazeera Investigations

This documentary reveals how English football clubs can be bought by convicted criminals and become vehicles to launder dirty money. The football dealmakers - who link foreign buyers with British football clubs - tell undercover reporters how they can hide a criminal’s money and identity behind offshore trusts and use “dirty tricks” to deceive the football authorities. Chris Samuelson, an offshore finance expert and Keith Hunter, a former Scotland Yard detective, also offer our fictitious criminal a new identity by purchasing an EU passport for 10m euro. Our undercover reporters reach the brink of striking a deal for the criminal investor to buy Derby County FC, one of England’s oldest football clubs. The Men who Sell Football is the prequel to the Bafta-nominated documentary, The Cyprus Papers Undercover, released in October 2020. Samuelson’s lawyers say that he was never told about Mr X’s criminal convictions. Had he known, he would have ended discussions immediately. Hunter says that he strongly disputes most of our findings.
@AJIUnit
#SellingFootball
Find more about our content at ajiunit.com If you want to provide a tip on serious wrongdoing and corruption, contact the Investigative Unit on [phone] (WhatsApp/Signal), or find other ways to reach out on aljazeera.com/tips.

[@boutabetisma]

Just wondering why this investigation didn’t go viral on KZbin. It’s a masterpiece. It just shows the UK media outlets how investigative journalism is done. kudos to Al Jazeera..

[@ManchesterUnitedKing]

Whilst this is a great documentary, youtube notified me that ''Al Jazeera is funded in whole or in part by the Qatari government.'' - Qatar doesn't have a stellar track record with Money Laundering and Bribery. Pot Kettle Black, haha.

[@grimari4850]

@@ManchesterUnitedKing that warning is on every al jazeera video bud.

[@ManchesterUnitedKing]

@@grimari4850 Which is fair enough mate, however I think that the point is still valid. The point being, Qatar, managed to secure the world cup which in itself was a controvesy on many levels. Such controvesies exist in all of football and always has done. It isn't just isolated to Russians, English, Egyptians, Indian and Chinese, as per this video. Good video nonetheless, but no one nation is innocent in these tactics.

[@josfur1977]

ease down on the racism osama

[@abiyahmedfantv9173]

When is Aljazeera going to do a documentary Qatar financial doping in PSG?

[@matthewrowe4162]

Gotta love clicking on a video about men who sell football and seeing your club as the main focus of the video.

[@anthonymitchell8893]

forest to win at pride park today tricky trees forever

[@johnlocke1977]

I love that the journalist is barely speaking, he is literally spilling the beans on his entire operation.

[@sygmaone]

It is obviously edited out.

[@arbaz79]

That part is edited out or else the documentary will be very long

[@amerlad]

man i absolutely love these. investigative journalism NEEDS to make a comeback, and this is a good first step in that direction. absolutely well done al jazeera.

[@TheLegendsOfRock1001]

The Cyprus passport piece they did is also 👌👌

[@sjewitt22]

Shame the BBC etc are in the pockets of the tories and will happily do hit pieces on the left.

[@supastar25]

This is fantastic work

[@utubecomment21]

If you need Al Jazeera to tell you about the corruption within football, you're at least 50 years too late!

[@CARLIN4737]

Cricket match fixing is a good watch too?

[@jasonmudgarde286]

Brilliant journalism, I love the part in restaurant where Samuelson warns about being bugged, shaking the teapot. Oh dear if only he knew.

[@marconius101]

He knows now...;-)

[@Fifi-ql3zc]

would have loved to have seen his face when he did find out

[@Mynipplesmychoice]

Ha ha American system of sports is so much better. Don’t have any of these problems. Have salary caps and drafts to ensure one te mean doesn’t win every friggin year. And we don’t have regulation so your team can’t just go out of business

[@tithund]

@@Mynipplesmychoice Sure.

[@eddienyagah]

I was laughing the entire time he was saying all that. He was so overconfident 😂😂😂

[@ianmworia5790]

For someone whose job is discreteness, He was singing like a bird.

[@Holuunderbeere]

Well money talks

[@fashionover7456]

LOL anaimba kama tarumbeta bana

[@Holuunderbeere]

@@fashionover7456 xeah dude exactly what I was thinking

[@irvantriarts635]

I suspect he's intentionally put on the spotlight by someone to be a smokescreen. The dumbest one can be useful too, you know.

[@anggasurbakti8269]

That's because he know nothing will punish him and not many people will care.

[@2104mikey]

Laws and rules are for the poor. Plain and simple

[@stevevosty_orlando]

Utafinywa😂😂

[@marknish1817]

For sure they are

[@pad9x]

exactly right

[@dondamon4669]

Don’t want them getting ideas!

[@sampsontendaimutsago1935]

100

[@riccardo9383]

Investigative journalism protects democracy, we need it as much as we need air.

[@seanhaddad6521]

You must be a fish

[@onemancinema4215]

Every institution on which the society stands is an out and out Dictatorship. Be it your home 🏘️, your school 🏫 your office 🏢 or your go to media outlet. Democracy is a façade to keep people calm.

[@skycloud4802]

Additionally there should be more investigative journalism on investigative journalism as well. More of it is better.

[@artificialpanda7173]

I love it when high ranking officials can just "resign and denied any wrongdoings"

[@abidamjad3844]

Why hasn't this been the talk of the town ? Why is this so underrated? This is master piece of work you guys have done and achieved our heartfelt gratitude. Keep up the good work Al Jazerrah

[@kelvinbauti6405]

It's not talked about because the football world is hiding a lot of secrets

[@sampsontendaimutsago1935]

The rest of the world of business unfortunately is a mirror image of this- so blowing it up blows up unnecessary attention. Dog eat dog

[@kaptain_korn]

Well people consider this channel to be Qatari propaganda but I love this channel

[@oneoflokis]

@@kaptain_korn 👍👍👍 (Anyway: the West deserves some anti US, UK elite propaganda!)

[@mustolourien5823]

It had the potential to bring everybody down including big names. It had to be ignored.

[@TresorChun]

what I've learned after watching this, is that you can't be that rich from legitimate ways!

[@aggoldstein]

This is fantastic award deserving journalism.

[@Berdymadafakas]

It's still just about a stupid sport lol do t get ahead of yourself there Ahmad

[@Nick-qj7ym]

@@Berdymadafakas and money laundering.

[@Ronny_Ron]

@@Berdymadafakas stupid sport?

[@mikecho327]

@@Berdymadafakas hhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@mikecho327]

@@Berdymadafakas hhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@farahsherazi6475]

Fantastic work, but the biggest sadness is that ultimately those who commit or consume corruption inevitably walk away free.

[@africanprince8941]

He really snitched on everybody in his circle man

[@aducaale328]

😂😂😂 indeed his ego is hugely part of him spilling the beans 😂😂😂

[@philipfairchild]

A first class piece of,investigative journalism, thank you. Exposes some of the criminals involved in football finance. Undoubtedly, there,will be many more than those named here.

[@ruqanrony]

This is the kind of world we are living in, Everything is happening in the background but from outside it looks nice, clean and tip top world.

[@Blacktolite]

I stopped watching Premier League football 8 years ago good choice I made I knew it was all all corrupted

[@baturavgan8187]

You brought journalism back to its glory days. Thank you.

[@selloc7433]

You guys are a world class outfit , outstanding investigative journalism. Also very well presented visually.

[@mlgnachotv5294]

They lied about a famous youtuber called nasdaily once. Well the arab aljazeera

[@joxepojoxepin2752]

Tell that to the Libyan people.

[@jamesrampton6274]

superb work from the journalists involved. One of the best pieces of investigative journalism that I've ever seen.

[@ASK-hy3vn]

I have always had personal questions about where football clubs get all the money to buy and pay huge salaries to players, managers and continue running clubs. And this Al Jazeera report is throwing more light to my inner seemingly skeptic answers. Thanks AL Jazeera for giving me more reason to ditch traditional media houses like BBC, CNN SKY etc

[@presentprogressivefuturepe2968]

A wholesale replacement of one narrow worldview for another may shed new light on the world, but it will not provide the depth and breadth of thought available from approaching topics from numerous angles. Much wiser to continue watching the traditional news providers with a questioning and critical eye. All news-providers have something to offer, even if it is only a means for analysing how their interpretations of the world reveal their biases.

[@nubianprincess2771]

This makes me wonder 🤔 if the same type of thing is happening here in the US. Especially since we have the NFL, NBA,and MLB.

[@IstanbulBeautyOne]

As usual, Al Jazeera's investigations are among the best and most professional in the world. We recommend watching the investigation of the program, "What is hidden is greater" about the scandal political publicity of the misfits movie.

[@brianhard1841]

Agreed. In the shadows truths are promiscuous and deceitful. This illustrates how easily the protocols are side-stepped and how unbelievable the reporting on these dubious transactions have been reported. This is worthy of acclaim so that its truths are publicised.

[@anasmo8751]

late reply but could you please send me the link of the documentary ?

[@anasmo8751]

i can't find it ;(

[@Carefreeblues]

This is excellent work! More of investigative work like this on various sectors of the world needs to be done.

[@lcvillafan]

Nearly happend to villa im really glad we lost the playoffs that year or we wouldnt have our great owners

[@Mynipplesmychoice]

Ha ha American system of sports is so much better. Don’t have any of these problems. Have salary caps and drafts to ensure one te mean doesn’t win every friggin year. And we don’t have regulation so your team can’t just go out of business.

[@ducvu410]

Firstly, incredible journalism by Al Jazeera. Secondly, are they eating sushi with forks and spoons?

[@noivatco]

per evitare la fatica

[@byakugan641]

Who eats Sushi with forks and spoons HAIYAH!

[@LaowaiDaveJCP]

Lol the whites

[@qalitifemahasmetarmobej9011]

Thank you Al Jazeera for revealing the truth!

[@alansamuel2454]

It's truly saddening to see the less views at the bottom of the video. However those who work with integrity to ensure transparency worldwide without the hope of reward is what true media is about. And on those regards I take a bow to Al Jazeera's spectacular work!

[@FifalianaFR]

Half a million views in 2 weeks on a documentary is not bad...

[@fattskb9646]

Wow!!!! Destroying football for real. "Football without fans is not football". Al Jazeera Investigates is the best with the most courageous investigative journalists. What a revelation.

[@andymwes]

The real question is how did this guy survive in the business this long if he spills info about his work and clients that generously? ? ?

[@trence5]

THIS^^^^

[@lubanganjames]

Iam asking my self the same thing, is that how he is open, he could not have been in the business that long, he just spills everything

[@TheKindai12]

Aljazeera have always and shall remain the best at exposing all this scams and their evil dealings

[@larryoconnor8678]

Just the sheer production quality -- graphics etc -- of this is outstanding. The compelling narrative and first-rate journalism is superlative.

[@Protagonistt]

That's what i am here for, this content & journalism is just too good ♥️

[@benslimen6092]

Amazing job, you tackled a big issue! Hope to see more of this!!

[@risingstars5934]

Most powerful media house ever.. Great job Al Jazeera. An example of the true power of honest media! !

[@kheliloussama7938]

One of the best documentaries I've ever seen in 🙌 big ups

[@uze1196]

Absolutely amazing

[@antreasafx4335]

CYPRUS GOVERMENT SAYS Today : We are not sent any Minister in London ,is not true. Aljazeera please say the name of Cyprus minister🙏people of Cyprus asking that

[@ltterallis13]

Demetris Chrisfofias, Christakis Giovannis,

[@koutsoullis]

AND SILOURIS watch part 2 documentary about cyprus passport

[@sumantj02]

Thank you for doing this for football. More power to you!

[@paulpan2553]

BBC wouldn't have the guts to do this investigation. Excellent work 👏👏

[@jossoid]

I love how this guy has made a career out of concealment and hiding money trails and identities and is so easily undone by these investigative journalists. Hilarious when his guaranteeing they can't be recorded in public noisy places all the while being recorded at the very same time. Excellent reporting

[@Hyperborean_2]

It's all made up.. they own these "jurnalists" They're are too strong and they play "in you face" style

[@keyboarddancers7751]

Let's hope Al Jaz conducts a similar investigation into the financial dealings behind the forthcoming World Cup!

[@CC-jw8cj]

It goes back to the awarding of South Africa World Cup actually

[@joxepojoxepin2752]

@@CC-jw8cj how?

[@CC-jw8cj]

@@joxepojoxepin2752 they bought the World Cup allegedly

[@joxepojoxepin2752]

@@CC-jw8cj i know, but what has the SA world cup got to do with it.

[@CC-jw8cj]

@@joxepojoxepin2752 The corruption of Fifa but obviously Al Jazeera won't investigate the 2022 WC bc they're aligned to Qatar

[@robiulhasanrobi8143]

Al Jazeera is father of journalism.❤ absolutely great work, that's call a real journalism!

[@PS-vz9bj]

Or mother 🙄

[@mustafakamal8608]

This investigation also give us insight how dealings and lobby happen in other kind of corruption.

[@lovert7492]

when you need to be discrete yet pride won't let you be.... and as always, after pride is the fall

[@tawandatawanda8388]

British media's silence is deafening

[@shajib1586]

A well prepared investigative report. Great Job AJI.

[@RiseUpYall]

This is mind blowing investigative journalism

[@CARLIN4737]

This is magic. I love journalism and investigative journalism in particular.

[@jessekuloba3429]

This man is singing!!! 😂🤣 he sure must feel very betrayed

[@iyaloonyau208]

The way he is naming names is shocking😂... Isn't he supposed to be discreet? 😂 Well done AJ...

[@antaraly9163]

It functions the other way round as well, being indiscreet on sensitive information with your potential customers will definitely help you gain the trust of the said customer, I'm afraid to say it is how the black market works.

[@obvious2850]

I’m impressed! Well done to the team! Amazing job!

[@ShaddeyNNM]

I need more of these

[@sygmaone]

Amazing work AJ!

[@spacecy]

Excellent work! Keep it up!!

[@vasyajx]

great piece

[@Nerdbasher11]

As an investigative documentary, this is a masterpiece. I'd be interested to see the secret camera they were using and understand a little bit about their filming as theres a lot of camera angles and they got really close up.

[@bluepandagames6390]

Exactly, and the guys who are supposed to be good at keeping low profile are being filmed secretly from variety of camera angels. Just makes me wonder.

[@bazzbazzley]

What a brilliant investigation into some really seedy business practices.

[@moviesoulchild1693]

This will never see the light of day in the UK MSM

[@crazyredfoxes]

and thats the truth

[@jonasdauerbrenner6432]

LOVE THESE!!!! well done Al jazeera

[@Zeee530]

Incredible!

[@toobalkain]

they'll never mention the root of the problem, the legal status of the City of London, the fact the entire financial sector has gone rogue from day one and is controlled by rootless cosmopolitans with no allegiance to the country they're formally the citizens of.

[@mdshameem92]

Incredible piece of Investigation! Kudos to the team!

[@arbaz79]

This is award winning investigative journalism👍

[@beinemax9331]

Wow what a great piece

[@christos1936]

Amazing work, congratulations

[@martyrembecki]

This is the best journalism that my simple brain knows of. Congratulations on everything that you have accomplished.

[@TheDrGravy]

Try Rebel News

[@Val_kyriee]

Al Jazeera undoubtedly is at the top of the investigative journalism sphere.

[@sergiorivera669]

If these guys Samuelson and Hunter are so good at buying football clubs, you would have thought that Mike Ashley would have been in touch ages ago!!!

[@muhuradedan]

These just low rank crooks. They talk too much to be anything like they pretend to do or they have done. Real top dogs don't talk too much about these things especially to strangers.

[@teachweb69]

Very brave and interesting and explains a lot of what goes on in the real world football and who are the power players

[@TadeOshoseries]

This is just fantastic.. strengthens my belief about corruption in football all along

[@VeeKaay]

As an football fan, I'm shocked and dissapointed. There is a similar investigation by Al Jazeera on cricket showing how even big events like World Cup was fixed which happened in India and other cri keting leagues be it BBL, IPL, PPL and even 10-10 over short form league. Money eating scoundrels have destroyed the sport. I so detest the Super League and hope it never ever happens. But again, Money talks..!!!

[@riccardo9383]

Brilliant work, I wish we could see such investigations every day.

[@kumaranjothikumar2829]

Such an excellent piece of work for investigative journalism!!!

[@chamita123456]

Moral of the story, deny, deny, deny and we will all soon forget about it. Rules only apply for the poor. The rich can bend rules whenever necessary.

[@abiyahmedfantv9173]

When is Aljazeera going to do a documentary on Qatar financial doping in PSG?

[@MAtogable]

wait a minute... aren't the owners of Al Jazeera the same owners of PSG???

[@mvuyisityiwani9080]

Yes

[@MAtogable]

@@mvuyisityiwani9080 and the same people who rigged the FIFA for the 2022 World Cup?

[@mvuyisityiwani9080]

@@MAtogable Yes again

[@torernning8652]

Well, that was one impressive doc. As mr. Goldstein says, this surely deserves some type of award.

[@Ratbait_]

Not a football person but this came on as an ad and i ended up watching the whole thing im so fascinated by it

[@judegaunt3447]

Never a dull moment with Derby County 🐏

[@t0n1c94]

Straight facts tho 🐏🤣

[@raeoog3056]

Wow.....this is incredible. ‼️

[@martinatuhairwe3973]

Great work

[@hurleycapetown8420]

This was amazing deserves 50 x more views and likes,sure the dislikes are from the people shamed in this.

[@HeadStartWeb]

How is this not viral and all over the news?

[@Mr--_--M]

Journalism is back in dangerous business as it was meant to. Excellent work👌🏾

[@mofkib]

Beautiful piece

[@solaimankabirsanto6840]

I love this type of investigation , indeed it was needed

[@jokeradviser5843]

THANK YOU! PUBLIC SERVICE!!!

[@ca1051]

This is astonishing stuff 👌

[@ysrai]

Superb quality 👌 👏 👍 🙌

[@mcthofy1214]

Well done investigate journalism

[@mohamednurhussein5765]

Classic investigation. kudos to the investigative team 👏

[@MarquisdeSuave]

For a guy who gets paid to do security level due diligence Keith kind of sucks at his job.

[@jamesbyaruhanga3290]

lol

[@FaridShahidinejad]

It's possible they may have convinced a legitimate Chinese billionaire to agree to participate in the reporting. So, he may have done his proper research but got burned.

[@mahlatsemawelela7958]

😂🤣😂

[@anggasurbakti8269]

Everyone in security company are like that. Several years ago there is a report a top brass of a security company use 'password' as his password for everything. These people tend to be overconfident

[@marinep_.2577]

Καλή ακρόαση Κυπριοπουλλα μου!!!

[@ghostgrcy4016]

γ***μησετα! 🤣🤣

[@agadasamuel4594]

I can refer these investigation as a turning point to the dominance and influence EPL have on other European league.

[@SofosGee]

50th minute = priceless :D well done well done we want more ! :D

[@RANAAHMED-ow7oq]

Just outstanding.

[@marvineodidi]

Brilliant journalism.

[@mballosingh]

Awesome journalism.

[@TheMuslimPerspective]

Now this is why i watch al jazeera. Brilliance.

[@waleed.junaidy]

Great work Al-Jazeera! keep it up!

[@mountainman6172]

David Cameron and Greensill has checked in!