The other day we argued that the policy of the new Coalition Government in Britain towards sports was likely to be less interventionist than that of its predecessor. This will undoubtedly be the case in terms of loading up sports policy with other policy objectives such as social inclusion.
The other day we argued that the policy of the new Coalition Government in Britain towards sports was likely to be less interventionist than that of its predecessor. This will undoubtedly be the case in terms of loading up sports policy with other policy objectives such as social inclusion.
However, the new sports minister Hugh Robertson (Conservative MP for Faversham and Mid-Kent) has made it clear that the Football Association cannot expect a quiet life from the new government. No doubt he has been briefed by civil servants on the chaotic structure, antediluvian practices and repeated scandals that characterise football’s governing body. It is also good populist politics as many fans are fed up with the way they run the game.
Robertson has given the FA until the end of summer to sort themselves out and get their act together. The problem is that they have a track record of doing too little, too late. What will he do if they fail to act? It would be a paradox indeed if a Conservative Government imposed an external regulator. There isn’t the inclination for such an extension of the regulatory state or the money to fund it.
However, it may come as a shock to the FA that they are not in for an easy time under the new Government. It is also possible that they may be shamed into doing something. Of course, this also depends on them working more effectively with the Premier League which represents a separate power base in the game, not to mention the Football League. Could former Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney, who was once a Conservative minister, become chairman at the FA? Stranger things have happened.