The Political Economy of Football

Spread betting and foreign exchange brokers are chasing endorsements and sponsorships from top football clubs while regulators gear up to clamp down on the way they are marketed to retail investors.  There is a trend for partnerships between small, often unknown brands offering FX and contracts-for-difference (CFD) trading with some of the biggest names in global football.

Arsene Wenger has claimed that changes are to made to Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations within the next 12 months.  No doubt the real agenda here is Paris Saint-Germain.  

The English Football League has issued the following statement: 'The ongoing issue of the conduct of club owners, directors and executives is one that has been repeatedly raised by the media, government and other key stakeholders, and has on many occasions led to public perception issues for the League, its clubs and competitions. It was therefore agreed at the Summer Conference that there was a requirement to conduct a review.

Manchester United achieved record annual revenues in the year to 30 June 2017.  Revenues increased 12.8 per cent compared to the previous season to £581.2m,   Earnings before deductions for tax, depreciation etc. increased more than 17 per cent to just under £200m.   Pre-tax profits increased 7.7 per cent to £39.2m.   The improved performance was largely due to higher broadcasting income and Europa League success.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch has called the situation surrounding the terminaton of Mark Sampson's contract as women's head coach by the FA a 'mess'.  Crouch is a qualified football coach, manages a girls' football team and is a keen Spurs supporter.  She was the first Conservative minister to take maternity leave.

It looks as if MLS in the United States is increasingly establishing a solid following.   Average attendances last year were 21,700, compared with 20,115 in the EFL Championship,   Atlanta United's match against Orlando City last Saturday attracted 70.425.   This broke a 21-year record dating back to the league's first season.

Sunderland fans are understandably disappointed at an indifferent start to the season.  Some of them think that owner Ellis Short is 'asset stripping' the club in preparation for a sale.  They are particularly aggrieved that so little of the £30m transfer fee for Jordan Pickford has been spent on new players.

One can spend millions on a player who then doesn't live up to his potential, doesn't fit in with the rest of the squad, causes trouble in the dressing room, gets injured and eventually has to be sold at a loss.

The English Football League has agreed a new five year television deal with Sky worth £600m, 36 per cent more than the current deal.   Outside of the 3pm Saturday blackout, clubs will be able to stream their own matches online.  All midweek Championship matches will be available for selection by television viewers.

Outgoing Barnsley owner Patrick Cryne is terminally ill with bowel cancer and does not expect to see the end of the season.  His poignant programme notes for Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie (actually written by his wife Jean) justifiably attracted widespread and sympathetic attention on the internet and my thoughts go out to him and his family at this time.