As much as I enjoyed watching the BBC’s Panorama investigation into football corruption last night I couldn’t help but feel it was a bit like a 35 yard free-kick which arcs and fizzes its way on to the crossbar. The effort was an ambitious one, but ultimately it only came close to being a spectacular goal and has not actually changed the score or the complexion of the game.
The reverberations from the BBC’s hardly-earth shattering claims that dodgy transfer deals are rife in the game are still going this morning, but I still feel a little, well, deflated I guess.
Where were the brown paper bags stashed with cash? Where were the odious fat cats foolishly blurting out their own death sentences?
Where was the smoking gun evidence that proved some of the biggest names in the beautiful game are turning it ugly by stealing money from those who fund the game - the supporters?
What the BBC’s highly-expensive investigation has done is merely add more leaves to an already smoldering bonfire. We know - or strongly suspect - there are managers, assistant managers, chairman, tea ladies (alright so I doubt whether there are many tea ladies looking for a kickback from the dubious transfer of a Maltese centre half) on the make, but we just haven’t been able to prove it.
Rather than firm evidence, the BBC team has only been able to insinuate who is involved, although if I were Sam Allardyce I’d think long hard about my next move.
Ultimately, although it was an admirable effort to expose the parasites and self-interested charlatans who sour our national sport, it has only offered a tantalising taste of the bitter fruits hidden in the game.
The lad who did the sting, that Knut figure who smoked like a chimney and managed to avoid suspicion even though the camera in his button glowed red during one undercover meeting - boldly stated at the end of the documentary that the sting had confirmed what he already knew - corruption and rule-breaking is rife at all levels of the game.
Well thanks, I’m pleased it confirmed what you already knew. It confirmed what I already knew as well - the problem is we wanted some proof this time, not more innuendo and suggestions.
Let’s hope the Lord Stevens’ Inquiry, launched after Luton manager Mike Newell went public on the fact he had been offered bungs and bribes to sign players earlier this year - comes up with more hard evidence so we can enjoy a public hanging or two!
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »