Scudamore Defends Role of Business in Football - 30/09/2007

There is plenty of complaining about the way in which football has been commercialised, but it is rare for someone to make a robust defence of business involvement in the game. Premiership chief executive Richard Scudamore has done so in response to a letter from Uefa boss Michel Platini to European heads of government. 'They don't rise much above the view of people in the corner of the pub,' commented the Premiership supremo in relation to Platini's views. Former international footballer Platini views with alarm the sight of overseas investors picking off Premier League clubs. His latest gambit has been to write to European heads of government, including Gordon Brown, asking them to help him battle 'the malign and ever-present influence of money' in football. He got short shrift from 10 Downing Street. The prime minister's office responded by advising Uefa to take up its case with the footballing authorities and by highlighting the Premiership's success in raking in £2.7bn from media-rights deals and its distribution of money to the grassroots.

There are downsides, but the problem with this debate is that it often looks at them and none of the benefits. Scudamore points out that 'Twenty years ago, there was no TV deal, the grounds were awful, the game was in a complete state. It is investment that has made it how it is.' Opponents of commercial involvement in football keep insisting that the bubble will burst, but it hasn't yet and Scudamore has good reasons why it won't in the future. He points out that clubs have become much better at maintaining fans' interest: 'It is hard to imagine interest in football waning; it's hard to think it will stop. It's part of the staple diet.' He also points out that those in glass houses should not throw stones: 'The Champions League is more rampantly commercial than the Premier League.' The main downside is, of course, the limitation of effective competition for the Premiership title to four clubs. Chelsea's membership of that group may be in some doubt as the result of decisions by the owner. Sky showed Chelsea fans walking out of their 0-0 draw with Fulham at half time chanting 'Walk out for the Special One.'