Is there ‘fixing’ at the top of football?

[McBain]

Have they locked up Blatter yet?

Criminals the lot of them.

 

[kev]

Of course.
WHEREVER huge amounts of money are involved you will find corruption.
There are NO exceptions to this.

 

[Seathestars]

Its a sad state of affairs but were money is involved anything is possible. So, 'on the balance of probabilities' I would think it very likely.

A few posts above show Platini, and if FIFA are not corrupt, allegedly, I'll run down Walton Road naked.

 

[Saint Domingo]

The tv company providing the money to the clubs also run the betting company that depends on the outcome of these matches. I don’t know how that’s allowed to happen but in any other industry it would appear to be a massive conflict of interest.

I’ve often thought that the draws are rigged. You only have to see the amount of times that two of the top 6 will be split in a cup semi final in the hope that they’ll both get to the final. Happens far too often for it to be random chance.

 

[ijjysmith]

*WWE ffs

 

[Hickson9]

It'd be interesting to have an independent regulatory body legislated for by Parliament, to protect the interests of users (in particular the primary stakeholder of season ticket holders).

It could have overseeing powers in certain aspects (for example cup draws and away fan pricing) and the capability to produce reports on issues of interest, with the Footballing Association, Premier League, Football League and individual clubs compelled to co-operate where relevant, and make recommendations to the relevant Parliamentary Committee.

 

[Brisan123]

It'd be interesting to have an independent regulatory body legislated for by Parliament, to protect the interests of users (in particular the primary stakeholder of season ticket holders).

It could have overseeing powers in certain aspects (for example cup draws and away fan pricing) and the capability to produce reports on issues of interest, with the Footballing Association, Premier League, Football League and individual clubs compelled to co-operate where relevant, and make recommendations to the relevant Parliamentary Committee.

Great post and a great idea
I can’t see Sky and the PL agreeing because it would conflict with their interests

 

[chrismpw]

The fixtures giving Liverpool the kindest festive run, with man c not far behind, but with preyenders like spuds and us being dished signficantly the worst runs, is latest in a big list of evidence to suggest that professional football has become a scripted pantomime. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, and has been apparent ever since sky got involved. It's why I absolutely detest sky and would never give them any if my cash. It's also the key reason why, within 20 years I've gone from being a rabid football fan and coach, to not really giving a damn. I'm really disinterested and get my fix from old matches and football history.

Its no longer a sport, it's choreography for cash.

 

[Yarrgh]

Have they locked up Blatter yet?

Criminals the lot of them.

They'll lock him up just as soon as they have enough gold to make the bars for his prison.

 

[LydiateLee]

Without question.

Cup draws are the biggest give away. The big clubs constantly kept apart in the early rounds to ensure they progress, makes it impossible almost for teams like us to win anything seen as when we do play the Sky 6, the refs are in on it too.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

 

[Rob17896]

Firstly I’d like to point out that I don’t mean corruption between clubs (I think that’d be too difficult and too obvious to execute)- I strictly mean between the media and regulatory bodies.

After Craig Bellamy’s sheer certainty that he’d seen the semi final draw before it’d “happened”, and now Sky doctoring crowd chants, and last years’ CL draw being pretty much the same situation as City v Burton, is it naive to think that parts of the media are controlling a narrative?

Are they trying to turn football into WWF?

Obviously please use the word “allegedly” liberally, along with ‘in my opinion’

How could you possibly think that a game awash with money could possibly be corrupt in any way!

 

[bcblue1878]

The fixtures giving Liverpool the kindest festive run, with man c not far behind, but with preyenders like spuds and us being dished signficantly the worst runs, is latest in a big list of evidence to suggest that professional football has become a scripted pantomime. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, and has been apparent ever since sky got involved. It's why I absolutely detest sky and would never give them any if my cash. It's also the key reason why, within 20 years I've gone from being a rabid football fan and coach, to not really giving a damn. I'm really disinterested and get my fix from old matches and football history.

Its no longer a sport, it's choreography for cash.

Am sure I read somewhere a while ago that the "formula" used for establishing the season's fixture includes something along the lines of - the "Sky 6" cannot play each other during the first 6 games of a season or the last 6. This is a means of giving them all the opportunity of a fast start, and then ensures they each have the best possible chance of winning games at the back end of the season to maintain interest!

Haven't got the time or incination to check it out historically myself but it would, to a degree at least, confirm @Groucho alleged suspicions/thoughts/questions allegedly!

 

[hallamblue]

Am sure I read somewhere a while ago that the "formula" used for establishing the season's fixture includes something along the lines of - the "Sky 6" cannot play each other during the first 6 games of a season or the last 6. This is a means of giving them all the opportunity of a fast start, and then ensures they each have the best possible chance of winning games at the back end of the season to maintain interest!

Haven't got the time or incination to check it out historically myself but it would, to a degree at least, confirm @Groucho alleged suspicions/thoughts/questions allegedly!

Much as I'd love to blame the schedulers this just isn't true. Both the RS and Arsenal have had nightmare starts in the last few years.

 

[PhilM]

Personally I think there’s too much money in football and too much greed in the world for it not to be happening. It’s essentially just a business for many at the top and if something as easy as putting a certain two teams together is going to bring in more money, then imo they’re going to do it.

Like yourself and others have mentioned, I would find it difficult to believe that there aren't some 'influences' as it is a business with money to be made.

When it comes to business, it would be naive to think that these influences whatever they are (internal and external) wouldn't try to manipulate for their own ends.

Is it fixed? I think that's quite a strong description of what I expect occurs, but in my own humble opinion I do feel that it not be totally down to luck etc.