DISCLAIMER: This feature was written for The National's travel section. The entire trip was paid for by Royal Jet. |
It’s June 2013 and I’m in Belo Horizonte with a hand over my mouth. Tear gas and rubber bullets are being fired by nearby police who are unimpressed by Brazilian protesters. Four months later and I find a hand over my mouth once more. This time, I’m in Addis Ababa, being held facedown in gravel while five Ethiopian youths rifle through my pockets. Both situations have arisen, in part, because of football. Assemble a large congregation of sports fans into a condensed, often underdeveloped area of a city and there is always the risk that mayhem might ensue. As I recently discovered, however, it need not always be like this. For the terrifically wealthy (or the recklessly loyal), there is another way to travel the world and watch the beautiful game; a way that allows you to temporarily live the life of a footballer. And without the need for ugly tattoos, crazy hairstyles or any remote hint of sporting talent. To continue reading, click here... |