The Political Economy of Football V2

I have long been of the view that football needs some kind of independent regulatory authority, so I was interested to read of the ideas put forward by Damian Collins MP and Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven (as seen on Sunderland Till I Die ):  https://thefsa.org.uk/news/a-way-forward-for-football-damian-collins-mp/ I think that when asking for bailout funds for clubs from the public purse one has to remember that the only money that government has comes from taxpayers.   Would taxpayers who are not football fans be happy about bailing out failing clubs?    Their scheme involves equity stakes in clubs being taken by a Football Finance Authority.  The Government is preparing to take equity stakes in companies in difficulty according to this morning's Financial Times, but firms like Jaguar Land Rover are seen as having long-term viability which is not true of some football clubs.

Huddersfield chairman Phil Hodgkinson says that 50-60 football clubs could go bust if the 2020/21 season is played behind close doors:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52790371 He admits that this is a worst case scenario, but it appears that his real agenda is to get players to accept 30 to 50 per cent salary cuts, an idea that is not likely to go down well with them. In any normal economic sector, less successful businesses fail, but it is relatively rare for a football club to disappear altogether.   Given their importance as a source of identity to fans, it is likely that many better off fans would rally round to keep their clubs in existence.

David Conn is one of our leading football journalists and argues that there can be no credible argument against the Premier League sharing its wealth with other clubs:  https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/may/25/premier-league-share-riches-save-english-football?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other In any other sector of the economy it would seem rather odd if successful businesses were expected to cross subsidise less successful businesses.

Controversial former Watford owner Laurence Bassini says that he has agreed a deal to buy Charlton Athletic. He says he is not involved with Huw Jenkins, the former chairman of Swansea City who was reported to have made a bid.  Bassini is reported to have said: "I've made an offer, it's been accepted - the lawyers are dealing with it." An element of caution is necessary as authoritative South London journalist Richard Cawley has suggested that there may be multiple bidders who are being played off against each other. Given that Bassii had a three year ban from holding a position of authority at a football club, there might be questions about whether he would meet a fit and proper persons test.

Incidents on the field of play and the quality of referees continued to be the subject of considerable discussion one hundred years ago in 1920.   The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported, ‘Unusual enthusiasm seems to have been infused into some of the games in the past few weeks, and in one or two cases there were regrettable outbursts of temper on the field of play.   The Coventry Football Association has heard an exceedingly large number of cases, even a special meeting being necessary for the purpose.'   ' In a number of cases, sudden temper seems to be the plea, while in others some go far as to plead justification.    In most of these cases referee’s decisions were put as the start of the trouble, in other words, another referee had failed to please everybody.   Generally speaking there are three main difficulties in refereeing: 1.        The putting into practice what is learnt in theory. 2.    ...

Rumours continue to swirl around the troubled South-East London club Charlton Athletic. Controversial former Watford owner Laurence Bassini has confirmed his interest in Charlton, but has said he also retains an interest in Bolton and will decide which one to pursue over the weekend:  https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/11993439/laurence-bassini-confirms-charlton-takeover-interest-but-bolton-also-an-option Whilst the EFL's fit and proper persons test is very elastic, doubts have been expresssed whether he would meet it given an earlier three year ban from holding a position of authority at a football club. Charlton director Marian Mihail has, however, denied that the club has been sold to Bassini, although some Addicks feel that the Romanian is capable of being economical with the actualité:  https://www.castrust.org/2020/05/bassini-rumour-not-true/ Charlton fanzine editor Rick Everitt commented, 't here are multiple parties looking at buying Charlton ranging from ...

The US women's national team has lost the first stage of its battle to secure equal pay, although there is likely to be an appeal:  https://www.soccerex.com/insight/articles/2020/sexism-or-just-business-us-national-women-s-squad-loses-equal-pay-battle As clubs consider the financial implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, there are concerns that women's teams may see their financing reduced or even eliminated altogether, reflecting an unfortunate view that they are a desirable but not essential optional extra.