AGREE ON BAILOUT IF ONLY TO STOP THESE POMPOUS MPS INTERFERING

THERE are 11 members of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, but that is as far as its connection with football goes.

Well, a few of them claim to support a team – or, in some cases, more than one team – but you would not be likely find them in the stands.

They have, though, put their name at the head of a letter to Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive, that is condescending at best, offensive at worst.

“Football is again failing to save itself,” it p omp o u s l y trumpets.

Forgive me, but when has football failed to save itself in the past?

From this seat, current circumstances notwithstanding, it has never seemed so popular.

It has certainly been giving the nation some light relief from the grubbiness of squabbling politicians for some considerable time.

With a straight face, the DCMS missive talks of a lack of “leadership” and refers to football’s tackling of the financial issues caused by Covid as a “fiasco”.

Leaving aside the fact MPs would certainly know a fiasco if they saw one, of course there are issues with aid packages being discussed b etween the

Premier League and the EFL. Of course, talks are riddled with self-interest, but my guess is it will get sorted.

And the process would be better off without the intrusion of grandstanding politicians, who are asking to be kept informed of all discussions between football authorities.

“If there is any doubt whether information about an email, engagement activity, call or meeting should be included in your updates, we suggest erring on the side of caution to ensure that nothing is inadvertently withheld from the Committee,” the letter says.

Fair play to the DCMS, it has got some front. But who are these MPs demanding football is accountable to them?

We know all about chair Julian Knight ( left), a tax-avoidance expert. Then there is Damian Green, the former Cabin e t minister who had to

With a straight face, the DCMS refers to football’s financial issues as a ‘fiasco’ resign after making “inaccurate and misleading” statements over what he knew about claims that pornography was found on his office computer.

Joining that likely pair are Steve Brine, a former health minister who made a fast buck on the side by working for a private recruitment agency that supplied staff to the NHS.

Clive Efford, an MP who took an £815 ticket to the Rugby World Cup Final for free, is on there, along with John Nicolson, a Scottish MP who once forgot which constituency he was standing for.

Heather Wheeler, who has consistently voted against gay rights, makes the starting XI, as does Giles Watling, who first made his name as a character in the Bread sitcom.

In no particular order, the rest is made up of …

Damian Hinds, who voted against spending extra money to create jobs for young people.

Julie Elliott, who has claimed £1,100-a-month rent for a London flat owned by a former MP.

Kevin Brennan, who had an expense-paid £450 TV for his London flat delivered to his Cardiff home, and Alex Davies-Jones, a wrestling fan.

And these are the characters telling football what it should and shouldn’t do.

The problem is they might have a semblance of a point and the irony is the letter might have some effect.

But if it is only to keep politicians’ grubby noses out of the game, then the sooner a bailout agreement between the Premier League and the EFL is reached, the better.

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