http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/matthew_syed
/article6863708.ece
Matthew Syed writes a nice article in The Times concerning the TV rights for the Ukraine v England game. I would just add that I do not watch these so called “reality” shows so am not to blame. Indeed seeing the culture of this country and its attendant value systems makes many people feel less apart of the fabric of this country than perhaps they should. Sporting events and in an ideal world, the good natured rivalry that these events might engender go some way in creating a sense of community and common purpose that is not reliant on personal gain or shallow values.
The Setanta contract at least allowed people to meet at the pub and enjoy the game in a convivial atmosphere. Sure if you are not keen on football then there was no imposition on you to watch the game. Simply you did not go to the pub.
Moving the game to the internet and declaring it a dead rubber, is a disingenuous argument. The internet is not the medium for watching programs, TV is. To not show the game on TV interupts the narrative of the England team’s progress to the World Cup. And as far as Ukraine is concerned it is not a dead game. The joy of watching the England team’s progress to the finals is seeing each step and each nuance unfold LIVE before our eyes.
There is a lot wrong with this country, and this decision goes a little further in destroying the fabric of this country. Profit comes first. For this blogger this straw might be the one. When the inevitable World Cup hype begins next summer, remember when the glossy trailers begin that the media TV companies were not so concerned when this perceived lesser game was to be played. There they demonstrate their true colours when it comes to the national game, the game that England gave to the world.
