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Originally Posted by Maranello The EPL is a private body, and is regulated by the English Football Association - FIFA has nothing to do with it. |
I'm not sure how football is governed, but I think it is much more of a hierarchical sport than cricket, which really has no central governing body at all (the ICC only governs internationals, each national board sets its own governance in its own country and the MCC, a member club of one of the smaller playing nations, makes the Laws). Maranello is, I think, right that the EPL is governed by the FA, but the FA, I believe, is governed by FIFA, and the Laws are set at the top. The Premier League was indeed a breakaway competition, with twenty of England's top clubs leaving the Football League (which at the time was
the whole professional game in England) to get it started. And whether you like or loathe some of the people who are involved these days, it is very difficult to argue that the Premier League has been bad for the game of football in England: without it, spectators would still be standing on windswept terraces in the pouring rain every Saturday, taking a leak at half time against a bitumen covered wall which might be sluiced down once a week. The fantastic stadiums which are now part and parcel of the game in England would still be pie in the sky.
With respect, Seamer, you still have not shown me anything to be concerned about. As you say, Australia and England will still be playing test cricket, as will New Zealand and maybe several other countries. That's fine with me: I'll still be able to see my favourite form of the game. Also fine with me is that fans in India will be able to see what they like best.