Former police commissioner Sir John Smith was asked by the FA to look into football's values after the colourful financial events of recent years. Martin Le Jeune, who assisted with the report, explains why we should take it seriously
Betting, bungs, bribes… there have been times in the past few months when football’s financial dealings might as well have come straight out of a business studies course taught by Del Boy Trotter and Arthur Daley.
Being a Burnley supporter isn't easy at the moment. Tony Dawber discusses the club's descent to the bottom of the Second Division
Imagine being as depressed as a Manchester City fan. Then double it and you are somewhere near. Burnley are languishing at the foot of the Second Division and on a downward spiral back to obscurity despite being arguably the best supported team in the division. Our plight has earned even more attention because the slide is being presided over by legendary former sausage seasoner Chris Waddle, who turned down other offers in order to grab Burnley by the scruff of the neck and hurl it towards the Premiership and whatever else came into our sights.
Sweden have underachieved ever since the last World Cup, says Duncan Cooper
June 16th 1997 – the rainiest day of the year at Arlandastad golf course near Stockholm Airport. I stagger off the 18th green, wet through, and trudge slowly up to the clubhouse. Near the first tee a man with blond hair is struggling to put his waterproof trousers on. One foot seems to be stuck. He’s slightly podgy, unshaven, and generally rather grumpy
After England's recent goalless draw in Italy, Mike Ticher claims that we still haven't shaken off our reputation as football hooligans
“Multiculturalism is a divisive force… One cannot be loyal to two nations any more than a man can have two masters.” So said Norman Tebbit in the week before England qualified for the World Cup with an accomplished performance on the field and a hideous mess off it.
Referees are often the focus of derision, but is it right that players should get away with dishing out so much abuse?
Imagine a school football match ten, 15 years ago. As a matter of course players in both sides will copy three things they have seen footballers do on television: forwards will stand in front of the goalkeeper with their arms outstretched; the star midfield player will trudge away with hands on hips and head down when a decision has gone against him; and everyone, but everyone will spit (and effect not to notice when it dribbles down their shirt).