Arthur Daly & Co.

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 31/10/2004

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe has proposed that the 'professional game' (AKA the Premier League) should take control of the England team and the FA Cup. And the cash!!

Lowe has proposed that responsibility for the England team, the FA Cup and "other revenue-generating aspects" be controlled by a professional game board dominated by Premiership and Football League representatives.

The FA's would be left in charge of rules, regulation and administration.

Last night Lowe insisted the letter was not a blueprint for a Premier League takeover of the FA, but rather an attempt to stir debate at a crucial time for the governing body.

"I wrote it with only the best interests of the FA at heart." He said.

Now that is news! Probably the first time a premier league chairman has claimed to be acting only in the best interests of the FA, which means in real terms, the rest of football.

Either Mr Lowe is seeking a knighthood or he is looking to win the comedian of the year award!

He also espoused the myth that the Premier League is envied throughout the world. A myth created to justify the very creation and existence of the premier and its hold on the greatest share of football revenue.

Handing the FA cup, the England Team and the income generating areas to the Premier League would be like appointing Raffles to guard the Crown Jewels!

The danger in this particular issue appears not to be too great as the FA see it as a proposal that has not yet been discussed by the FA Board or executive. But it does indicate the type of thinking in the Premier League and its real danger is that there are many who will take this type of proposal seriously.

If anyone takes Premier League chairman seriously that is. Some of them would be hard put to equal the IQ of certain inhabitants of the local zoo.

And they want to run the FA?

Now I know for sure that football is crazy!

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