Help Football
This is part of our efforts to improve football. In this column we discuss the key issues facing football – using more technology, money in the game, diving / simulation, developing young players and football training in general, changes to rules (governing football and clubs) and a lot more.
Why FIFA cannot (and will not) tackle corruption
I was recently interviewed for a Polish newspaper as part of a feature on FIFA ahead of the 1 June elections. The Q&A is below, but as part of the preamble it’s important to point two things: One, journalists and bloggers have very limited attention-spans, and seem incapable of stepping back looking at events in…
Saving The Beautiful Game: A Radical Revision of the Rules of Football
Nearly 25 years have passed since Diego Maradona scored the infamous “hand of God” goal that took England out of the World Cup in1986. A few months before the World Cup in South Africa, Thierry Henry, the French striker, flagrantly used his hand in a play that led to a goal against Ireland disqualifying the…
FSF’s Safe Standing Petition Needs A Business Plan
A two-way debate about re-introducing standing room at English football grounds has raged since ever since all seater stadiums were introduced, and both sides of have strong, well developed arguments to back them up. However, the unfortunate reality is that much of the debate is rendered invalid by the simple maxim: money talks. Until fans…
UEFA versus Real Madrid and Barcelona
Uefa have initiated disciplinary cased against both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the aftermath of their diving contest Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday. UEFA’s case against Real Madrid: The throwing of missiles, a pitch invasion, the red card shown to Pepe, the dismissal of coach José Mourinho, as well as the inappropriate statement given…
Sir Alex Ferguson calls for a winter break in English football
Sir Alex, who is a long standing advocate of the idea, has again brought up the issue and has also taken a swipe at influential TV rights holders. The United Boss is currently managing his team during a crucial phase of the season in which there is little room to relax or take any match…
Ahead of the Arsenal – Tottenham game: a brief look at why FA doesn’t get football governance
Ahead of tonight’s North London derby and in light of the ‘Y-word debate’, it’s worth pointing out that you can’t simply pick and choose what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable to say in a footballing context. It’s inconsistent, lacks moral judgment, and by kowtowing to whatever fascinates the public consciousness for the time being it’s…
Why Kroenke doesn’t need Arsenal’s money for takeover
The Arsenal takeover by Stan Kroenke has people wondering if this is going to turn Arsenal into the next Manchester United off the pitch (i.e. debt). It’s a legitimate question, but ultimately baseless. For starters, investors in Premier League football, regardless of their disconnect with real football fans and what they want, are keenly aware…
The FA Admit Rooney Ban Was Media Driven
This article does not condone Rooney’s behavior, and it especially does not condone swearing at match officials. Having said that, the governing authorities have a responsibility to be consistent in their rulings. Just as we’ve insisted in the past that referees need to be consistent in their awarding of marginal calls, the same applies to…
Key Questions (& Answers) on Arsenal Takeover
Arsenal are set to announce a formal takeover by Stan Kroenke this morning, with the American having agreed to buy shares from Danny Fizman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith, increasing his control over Arsenal to 62%. From the Guardian: Fiszman had previously diluted his position to 16.1%, with £8,500 per share having been his sale price….
Do you support safe standing areas in football stadiums?
The Football Supporters’ Federation has launched a petition – visit www.fsf.org.uk/safestanding – as part of our campaign for the introduction of safe standing areas in the top two divisions in England and Wales. We know some of you might think that signing a petition is a bit of a futile gesture, but the timing for…
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