There was once a time when football was simple: 22 players kicking a ball – and each other – around before the night’s spectacle of goals galore took place without the disruption of technology. There was once a time when football fans were allowed in their plenty, left singing, and complaining until they could no more.
Those times seem long gone, however. They have been replaced by virtual noise to fill the overbearing lack of fan presence; replaced by the capitalistic ways of modern-day football, where money has taken centre stage, pushing every fan away from the spotlight in the process.
The game, no longer in the grateful grasps of fans, who can’t even attend these days, is instead directed and controlled by those with the deepest pockets. ‘Football without fans is nothing’ was the old saying, when in fact football without fans, at the highest level at least, is still worryingly thriving, leaving the fans in its dust.
The latest decision to turn certain Premier League games pay-per-view, even if you already own the Sky and BT Sport package, is beyond immoral. But to charge £15 a game shown on pay-per-view is a disgrace and signals yet another turn towards what will be a dark time for football.
Premier League Pay-Per-View: The Latest Dark Turn for Modern Day Football
Why Now?
The Coronavirus pandemic has brought the best out of most people; it has been a time where kind hearts have shone through. But the Premier League, and those making the decisions, have one thing on their mind and that’s business.
Sympathy doesn’t come over the chequebook being waved into the faces of those with the most expensive, tailored suit making the decisions. Consideration for those who hold now useless season tickets does not come into consideration.
The images of an empty, atmosphere-less stadium are soon replaced by dollar signs as the next chance to sell the soul of football arises. The fact of the matter is, football, at the highest level, has proven that it does not need fans to keep the show on the road.
The problem with this is that fans need football, leaving them with the decision of either paying £15 on top of a Sky and BT Sport subscription or miss out altogether.
The real question from this decision is a simple one: why now? For the past six months, the games were shown free of any extra charge as both BT Sport and Sky Sports attracted the viewers at home.
Why, in the middle of a pandemic where fans cannot even attend a live game, have games that were previously free become an extra and unneeded expense to even the most loyal of fans.
Leicester City: The Only Team to Vote Against Pay-Per-View Decision
In a way, the biggest disappointment from this whole ordeal is the lack of support from Premier League clubs for their fans left out to dry.
According to John Percy of The Telegraph, out of the 20 teams in the Premier League, only Leicester City voted against the decision to make games pay-per-view; only Leicester City decided to support their supporters during a time when greed is the last thing needed.
Even the big six, who have all splashed the cash this season, reportedly voted for the decision as their pockets grew deeper and deeper as discussions developed.
The decision has rightfully been met with significant uproar from fans, who are slowly but surely being outbid for what was once considered a beautiful game. For now, though, the money and quick cash grab has seemingly beaten the passion and so-called need for fans in the modern-day game.
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