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| Boris Johnson and 'European Super League' have made the headlines this week (Image: Sky News) |
I want to reflect on the recent dramas that dominated the headlines this week, as European football received a massive wake-up call, and the fact that the 'chumocracy' allegations drowning Westminster - something I analysed late last year - aren't leaving anytime soon. The two are linked, and equally as significant and problematic for society as a whole.
Let's look at the football story first. Last Sunday, I was lucky to be one of the 4,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium to see Leicester City reach the FA Cup Final after defeating Southampton 1-0. The match was, by no means, a classic, but the experience was unforgettable as it marked a big step towards fans returning to stadiums up-and-down the country, and a big step towards the end of Covid-19 restrictions. As I settled myself down in the stadium, I checked my phone and read the 'breaking news' that Chelsea, a team I've supported since 1998, was one of 12 teams in Europe to form a 'European Super League', a midweek tournament that would effectively take these teams out of any UEFA competition and into one with no knockouts; and exclusive to the participating teams.
From minute dot, the reaction by football fans was unanimously one of shock and horror. Sure, there had been whispers of a 'Super League' but the possibility of this becoming reality seemed small as many of us knew it would create an unnecessary tsunami. The teams involved defended their decisions for a grand total of about 48 hours as the overwhelmingly negative feedback from fans, governing bodies and football experts was loud enough for them to change their minds. 'European Super League' is no more.
The early death of this controversial tournament has split the football community - not about its fate, which has pleased the vast majority, but on how long we should hold grudges towards the clubs involved. People, admittedly like me, want to move on from this storm in a teacup. Common sense eventually prevailed and we should focus on reforming club ownership structures. On the other side of the debate, the focus is on handing out severe punishments for the six Premier League teams who signed up to the League, for ever doing so in the first instance. Where the two sides of the argument meet is the acknowledgement that big decisions cannot be made without the permission of the most important stakeholder - the fans.
Meanwhile, in Westminster, Prime Minister Boris Johnson continues to be accused of prioritising multi-million pound contracts for his business owner friends over those, perhaps, more deserving. On this occasion, the spotlight went on Johnson's relationship with Sir James Dyson, prolific businessman and Conservative donor. It is their recent text exchange that has been leaked and scrutinised.
The conversation wasn't about the life-saving ventilators that Dyson provided at the start of the Covid-19 crisis, but about fast-tracking tax exemptions for his foreign workers, after the Chancellor announced a relaxation of rules for those who worked in the UK to help in the country's pandemic efforts. That in itself isn't controversial, but the urgent tone by the businessman and the sense of prioritisation by the Prime Minister has gotten Labour and others crying foul of the government helping friends before the rest. And the revelations escalated with an apparent dispute between Johnson and his former advisor, Dominic Cummings, as Downing Street accused the latter of leaking the text to journalists. Cummings denied this on his blog and in the same breath attacked his former boss about Dyson and the government's approach of the pandemic during the winter. He's calling the shots and has Johnson wrapped around his little finger.
The subject matters of these stories are justifiably criticised for reckless and quick decision-making. The board of the 12 football clubs should never have gone ahead in doing anything without the consultation of those who matter most. And there was no need to try and change the existing football pyramid system which is largely fair and highly competitive. They simply misread the situation. But I understood why they went ahead with it after reading comments on Chelsea's announcement of the 'Super League' on its social media channels. The only users in support of the move were from Central and Western Africa and parts of the Far East, which have increasingly large fan bases, widening the club's global appeal. That's in the minds of boards who lead big brands. They choose worldwide profits before considering the reality of geography. Lifelong, local fans are more than happy to invest their time and money watching their teams play the likes of Sparta Prague, Norwich City and then Mansfield Town in different competitions.
And with Johnson - he and his government have faced a challenge over the past 14 months or so no government would ever want to face. Having mates with benefits, I could only imagine their instincts were to have them on speed dial and see if they could help in this mammoth battle. While it's beneficial to know people who can do the job, and do it well, we can't use them by throwing out the rule book - in that it's unfair, unjust and unethical not using the official processes to bring in companies to help the fight without a hint of transparency. Processes are there for a reason. Covid-19 isn't a task in The Apprentice.
What this government and big football club bosses have in common is they've got 'power struggle syndrome'. It's not rocket science or 'modern' to include people outside the board table in major decision that have wider implications. If fan groups of the football clubs approved the idea of joining a 'European Super League', then we've little to complain. And if Dyson was the best organisation to supply countless ventilators, then brilliant - but Johnson shouldn't fast-track an important policy just because his mate isn't happy of the speed of it coming into force. Having a 'let's just get on with it' attitude is only needed if there was a lot of dithering. You can be both transparent and successful. Ignore it, and expect public trust in your investment or idea to dip, and expect a dent to your reputation.
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