League plans crumbled but May well have fight goes on
CLUBS CANNOT ESCAPE PUNISHMENT – AND IT’S TIME TO PUT THE FANS FIRST
THIS is not over.
Fan power has overturned the disgraceful European Super League but this should be the start of the pressure campaign to reform the national game.
Now supporters realise they can influence the agenda there is so much more to target to overhaul the worst aspects of English football.
Here, with a partly Newcastle United focus, are seven issues that must be looked at next.
Proper punishment for the six who tried to ruin it all
The punishment should be severe and tangible and meet the crime for the owners of clubs who nearly killed English football.
Points deductions and heavy fines (to be redistributed lower down the football pyramid) are a minimum.
Forcing them to sign binding agreements to uphold the values of English football (more of which later) are a no-brainer.
The argument has been advanced that the clubs – and players – should not suffer for the misdeeds of management but if that is the argument, why do clubs lower down the pyramid have points deducted when they are placed in administration?
We either have accountability or we don’t. And on this occasion, the clubs should be hit where it hurts with both sporting and financial sanctions.
Newcastle’s wannabe owners were to be judged not fit and proper because the PIF were, in the Premier League’s eyes, connected to a state that was overseeing piracy.
If that is a cardinal sin, what is the coup staged by the scavenger six?
There can be no slinking back into the fold with a slap on the wrist or – as seemed to be the case from UEFA – a welcome handshake.
Mandatory communication from clubs
One of the worst aspects of this fiasco was that it shone a light on how unaccountable these owners are to the people who love their clubs, represent them on the pitch and in the dug out and – ultimately – make them money.
Not until the whole thing was killed off was there a word from John Henry, Daniel Levy or Ed Woodward.
Even then, they have hidden behind released statement or sober videos. Many of the others continue to stay silent.
This is not good enough. Clubs have believed for too long they are not answerable to anyone, holding Fans Forums in secret, keeping the decision-makers away from supporters and independent media and expecting us to stomach whatever decisions are cooked up.
Newcastle must sign up: their silence on too many key matters of late reflects badly and has created the schism between public and the club which exists today.
The first item on any fan-led review must be mandatory, honest and two-way communication between supporters and their club.
United Supporters Trust is an innova
tive and eminently sensible one. The 1892 Pledge, we understand, has caught the attention of some of those energised by this week’s debate and is really the minimum we should expect. The 50 + 1 model in German football – whereby commercial
investors can only own 49% of the institution – is the perfect antidote to what happened this week.
But what is really required is a fan-appointed custodian, empowered supporters’ trusts and, if not a veto, at least a chance to represent fan concerns when it comes to decision-making.
Such a process would have ensured this idea was stopped in its tracks before Tuesday night’s carnage.
It would also have strangled so many of Mike Ashley’s shoddy ideas.
Transparency from the authorities
For all that Newcastle are hammered for their lack of accountability, the summer also illustrated how little the Premier League cared for keeping supporters informed about the fate of their own club.
Their consistent “no comment” on the takeover process spoke of a wariness of keeping the public in the loop on the biggest decision that will ever be taken about it.
They would not explain their Owners and Directors and still, to this day, refuse to answer questions about what happened. This is unacceptable.
The league has been portrayed as the victim this time, but let’s not lose sight of its own role in allowing these six clubs to influence the agenda.
The Premier League itself must be accountable and transparent to the people who watch the league.
No more nightmare TV timings
Sky’s pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher took up the cudgels against the European Super League brilliantly.
But let us not imagine that Sky, BT or Amazon – who all released statements condemning the disgraceful plan – are saviours of the sport.
They are as guilty as anyone of disregard for fans – both through pricing and also, unforgivably, caring so little for kick off times.
How on earth did we get to a situation where Newcastle were being forced to play midweek games at a time when there was no public transport available to ferry fans to and from the game?
That is exactly what happened in 2019 and there was nothing United could do to combat it.
TV companies do not need to snooker supporters in this way.
We shouldn’t accept it.
Reform the takeover process NOW
The Premier League admit their own rules were in unchartered territory when it came to Newcastle. There now appears to be a desire to reform the Fit and Proper Persons rule too.
There should be consultation with supporters on how the takeover process should work.
The best idea would be to make new owners sign up to a constitution of values which include binding promises not to do what the scavenger six have done this week and to uphold the values of the Premier League.
Add supporter engagement and consultation into it – and if they refuse to do it or carry it out in the spirit it’s intended, you have the power to remove them.
Champions League reforms tackled
UEFA’s disgust at the Super League should not overshadow how desperate their own Champions League reform is, with its guaranteed spots for clubs that are not based on merit.
Take the fight to their door and keep up the campaign: you should have to earn your spot, always.