Soccer’s original rulebook up for auction; can be yours for a cool $5 million
Jun 12, 2011, 11:55 AM EDT
And which are the pages that instruct one how to flop?
The world’s oldest known rulebook for Soccer is being put up for sale by Sotheby’s, and if you’re reading this blog right now instead of playing polo on a yacht made of gold, you most likely can’t afford it.
“The book that launched the world’s biggest sport 153 years ago could fetch more than $5 million on the auction block, the highest price ever paid for sports memorabilia, experts said.
Among likely buyers of the oldest known rule book governing soccer are a group of oil sheiks in Qatar — eyeing the treasure as a centerpiece for the World Cup games there in 2022.”
“The rare soccer documents, which go on public display today through Thursday, were composed in elegant Victorian-era penmanship by rich young sons of England’s upper classes, who had a ‘lot of leisure time on their hands,’ said Sotheby’s manuscripts expert, Richard Austin.”
“Soccer’s original rules numbered just 11 and were gentlemanly, with five referees at sidelines for disputes. They even chipped in for beer and repairs to the club’s required six footballs.”
Now we’re talking. I for one think soccer would enjoy a lot more popularity in the United States if the players had to slug down some lagers on the sideline. Anything to make it more like rec-league softball is a step in the right direction.
The rulebook will remain on display through Thursday.
