MPs MUST ACT NOW TO PREVENT ANOTHER CRISIS

ON THE Sunday of the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton, Nigel Huddleston, the Sports Minister, met a small group of journalists at Wembley Stadium for a briefing. By then, news of the proposed Super League was very much out in the open, but there is no record of any public statement of disapproval from him. This suggests the Government’s admirable hardline stance only became apparent once it saw the level of public ire and recognised this was a tap-in to an empty net for populism. So maybe they are still unaware of the urgency of the situation. Tracey Crouch’s review into football is expected to take months to reach its conclusions. That isn’t good enough. The measures to stop a breakaway league need to be in place now. The rest can fit parliamentary schedules but, on this, there is absolutely no time to waste.

AMONG the key points going forward is that supporters’ groups remain ready for the next power grab. All should carry a list of the club’s domestic sponsors, names and addresses, and a template letter of protest to be sent to headquarters. When necessary, these could be given to fans, with instructions on how to make their voices heard by email and post. Nothing would put the wind up Dulux quicker, say, than the idea their shiny new arrangement with Tottenham had turned their brand toxic and driven many thousands of potential customers into the arms of Farrow & Ball. Clubs need sponsors; sponsors don’t need aggravation. Be prepared and football can keep winning.