The story behind the first international signing of the Saudi league, Valera’s next destination

August began with news that put an end to one of the most mediatic novels of Peruvian soccer in recent years: Alex Valera was made official as a new player of Al-Fateh from Saudi Arabia. The former cream striker will have his first experience abroad in a country with a culture completely different from Peru.

Precisely in Saudi Arabia a peculiar event occurred. The protagonists of the episode are Eamon O’Keefe a Manchester City footballer, and Abdullah bin Nasser then president of Al Hilal (current André Carillo’s team).

An alleged insinuation of love from the Arab prince when he and Eamonn shared the elevator forever changed the footballer’s life. In a society in which homosexuality is considered a crime and which meant that one of the highest authorities in the country was gay, O’Keefe was in danger.

Eamonn O’Keefe was born on October 13, 1953 in Manchester, England. Signed up by the soccer schools of the city, he was about to reach the youth team of the Man Utd. However, a broken leg cut short his dream of playing for the Red Devils at the legendary Old Trafford.

After recovering from his injury, he signed for Stalybridge Celtic. In that team he met George Smith who served as DT of said squad. After a few months together, the strategist left the club and left for Saudi Arabia: he would manage Al Hilal.

It was in November 1975 when a letter written in Arabic changed O’Keefe’s life. His former coach George Smith offered him a trial month at Al Hilal. If he lived up to the expectations of the club owner, he would become the first international signing in the club’s history.

After thinking about it, Eamonn saw in Al-Hilal the opportunity to solve the economic problems that he, along with his wife and two children, were going through. He packed his bags and left for Arabia. Arriving in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, he was dazzled by the wealth that prevailed in that part of the world.

At boot camp, O’Keefe met Abullah bin Nasser the club owner. Two goals in the practice match filled the eyes of the Saudi prince, who asked the footballer to go to the hotel where he was staying and decide on his requirements to sign a contract.

Money, a car, an apartment, flights to the United Kingdom and a private school for his children were Eamonn’s demands to finalize his arrival in Al Hilal. Each was immediately accepted by the team owner. After the signing, the player left for England to return to Arabia with his family.

Quickly, Eamonn struck up a close friendship with the team’s owner. Abdullah gave him a car and constantly invited him to tea. In addition, they met, with great frequency, with the brothers of the Saudi prince and other political leaders of the country.

In terms of football, the player also satisfied his bosses: they reached the semifinal of the Copa del Rey. At the end of the season, O’Keefe returned to England on vacation. Before leaving, Abudla asked for his home phone number and told him that he, too, would be on a trip to the UK.

After meeting in England, the Saudi prince offered Eamonn a trip to different countries before returning to Saudi Arabia. The offer was to replace Abudla’s assistant, who had to return to Riyadh early. Taking advantage of the fact that his wife and children would go to Wales, O’Keefe accepted the proposal.

The then soccer player told what happened from said trip to the BBC. The plan was to do a tour of Paris, Cannes, Rome, Cairo and finish in Arabia. Eamonn and Abdullah attended various meetings, went to various casinos and stayed in luxurious hotels.

It was at the Grand Hotel in Cannes that everything collapsed for the former soccer player. After a night at the casino, O’Keefe and bin Nasser shared the elevator. It was at that moment that Adullah turned to Eammon and confessed: “I am realizing that I love you”.

The revelation surprised the former soccer player, who nervously – and according to his story – replied: “You mean like a brother?”. To which the Saudi prince replied: “No, not like a brother”. Eammon made it clear that he was not interested and that all he wanted in Arabia was to play football.

After hearing his answer, Abdullah told O’Keefe that their relationship would go back to being “president and player”. The former player was clear that he was not going to reveal this episode to anyone, but he began to worry when he became aware that he could be the victim of retaliation for knowing the prince’s secret.

He told what happened to his coach, who advised him to leave Saudi Arabia immediately for his own safety. The problem with this task was that Abudla himself had to sign Eamonn’s exit visa.

The then soccer player decided to lie. He told Abdullah that he needed to travel to England to see his sick father. The prince was suspicious and let him know: “Is this about France? I don’t think you’ll come back,” O’Keefe said. He reluctantly agreed to give her permission, but only for a week.

After hours of anguish, he managed to land in London. However, everything was not resolved. To resume his football career, Eamonn had to register with the English Football Association. For that he needed permission from Saudi Arabia, that is, from Abdullah bin Nasser.

After contacting the Saudi association, he received a fax from Riyadh asking for payment for breaking the contract, repairing the air conditioning of the apartment where he was staying, returning a loan from Abdullah and a salary less.

After a negotiation in which he threatened to tell what happened in Cannes, the Saudi association sent Eamonn’s letter of freedom and so he could play again in the United Kingdom. Once qualified he played for Mossley, a semi-professional team. He then signed for him Everton of the first division, with whom he played 40 games.

After his adventure in the city of Liverpool, he ended up at the wigan. In addition, he played five games for the Republic of Ireland team, even playing in a friendly against England that took place at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

Source-larepublica.pe