Post by QPR Report on May 29, 2010 6:58:10 GMT
The Times - Malcolm Clarke
May 28, 2010
Ticket prices priority No1 if supporters are to return
We were not surprised by The Times Football Survey results that landed at the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF). The FA, for all its present dysfunctional nature, is and should be in charge.
We think Uefa deserves a better mark from fans, though. Its new financial fair play rules should help to curb the fiscal lunacy that is English football. The FSF favours goalline technology like most fans. We debated and passed a resolution saying this at our 2008 Fans’ Parliament.
Football is a far more difficult game in which to use technology than both codes of rugby or cricket. It should not be beyond the game’s lawmakers at the International Football Association Board to give the big leagues the option to use goalline technology without disrupting the flow of the game or altering its playing laws, though. They have done it in ice hockey for ages.
We understand why so many fans are in favour of salary-capping in the Premier League, but we think there are better ways of achieving that objective. The financial controls in place in Germany and, dare we say it, France are the way to go to stop the financial Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
As for putting a cap on ticket prices — Yes, Yes, Yes! We have the most expensive admission prices in the world in Britain. At the same time as the game continues to be carpet-bombed with television billions, ticket prices have gone through the roof. The game is now unaffordable to many, many fans.
Compare the prices in Germany, France, Italy or Spain with here. Even with the pound low against the euro, they do far better. In Germany they also treat fans like grown-ups and give them the adult choice to sit or stand as each fan prefers.
The so-called “golden era” of the game here wasn’t all that golden for fans in many ways — unsafe stadiums, neglectful maintenance and safety management. It is good that grounds aren’t potential death traps any more. However, fans are sick of being treated as turnstile fodder. Being told to sit down, shut up and open our wallets has become frustrating.
Many fans are disillusioned. So it is time for the game to listen to its most valued “customers”.
• Malcolm Clarke is chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation and the first supporter representative on the FA Council. The FSF represents more than 180,000 fans throughout England and Wales and is free to join. Visit www.fsf.org.uk for more information.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7138559.ece
May 28, 2010
Ticket prices priority No1 if supporters are to return
We were not surprised by The Times Football Survey results that landed at the Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF). The FA, for all its present dysfunctional nature, is and should be in charge.
We think Uefa deserves a better mark from fans, though. Its new financial fair play rules should help to curb the fiscal lunacy that is English football. The FSF favours goalline technology like most fans. We debated and passed a resolution saying this at our 2008 Fans’ Parliament.
Football is a far more difficult game in which to use technology than both codes of rugby or cricket. It should not be beyond the game’s lawmakers at the International Football Association Board to give the big leagues the option to use goalline technology without disrupting the flow of the game or altering its playing laws, though. They have done it in ice hockey for ages.
We understand why so many fans are in favour of salary-capping in the Premier League, but we think there are better ways of achieving that objective. The financial controls in place in Germany and, dare we say it, France are the way to go to stop the financial Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
As for putting a cap on ticket prices — Yes, Yes, Yes! We have the most expensive admission prices in the world in Britain. At the same time as the game continues to be carpet-bombed with television billions, ticket prices have gone through the roof. The game is now unaffordable to many, many fans.
Compare the prices in Germany, France, Italy or Spain with here. Even with the pound low against the euro, they do far better. In Germany they also treat fans like grown-ups and give them the adult choice to sit or stand as each fan prefers.
The so-called “golden era” of the game here wasn’t all that golden for fans in many ways — unsafe stadiums, neglectful maintenance and safety management. It is good that grounds aren’t potential death traps any more. However, fans are sick of being treated as turnstile fodder. Being told to sit down, shut up and open our wallets has become frustrating.
Many fans are disillusioned. So it is time for the game to listen to its most valued “customers”.
• Malcolm Clarke is chairman of the Football Supporters’ Federation and the first supporter representative on the FA Council. The FSF represents more than 180,000 fans throughout England and Wales and is free to join. Visit www.fsf.org.uk for more information.
www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7138559.ece