In an extraordinary outburst Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards has claimed that football has run itself ‘perfectly well for more than 100 years’ and that the Government should ‘keep their nose out ‘ of its affairs’
In an extraordinary outburst Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards has claimed that football has run itself ‘perfectly well for more than 100 years’ and that the Government should ‘keep their nose out ‘ of its affairs’
This intervention is misconceived in all sorts of ways. First, the football authorities have agreed to shape a collective response to the House of Commons select committee report on football and breaking ranks doesn’t help anyone. They need to keep their powder dry and consider their strategy and tactics.
Second, it is palpably clear that football has not run affairs well in the recent past. Here are just five issues: the running of the England team and its lack of success; the failed and costly World Cup bid; a failure to modernise the internal structure of the FA; the absence of a robust fit and proper persons test; and a lack of concern for, and responsiveness to, fans.
Government has been very reluctant to intervene directly and would prefer the football authorities to sort out the problems to do so, but they have failed to do so. Some of them are evidently in denial about the existence of any problems.
Government has a legitimate interest in football because of its role in the economy, in maintaining national prestige and contributing to health policy objectives. One doesn’t want to replace self-regulatory failure by government failure but time is running out for a solution from the much vaunted ‘world of football’.