Parallels

Distinguished sports journalist Martin Samuel at the interface of football, broadcasting and regulation in The Times on Saturday...... 

How a government regulator for football will work could be plainly seen in Samir Shah’s dismal performance in front of MPs last week. Shah, giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, is the incoming chairman of the BBC, which is a government appointment. So he told the room what many present wanted to hear — that Gary Lineker may have breached corporation guidelines by responding robustly on social media to, among others, Grant Shapps, the defence secretary.

That Lineker was defending himself against personal attacks, including one from Shapps, is important and those more familiar with BBC guidelines think keeps Lineker on the right side of the law. But it wouldn’t be a popular take for those in government who have given Shah his new role, so he ignored it. Would football’s new regulator not be inclined to do the same, becoming a stooge and making a mockery of the idea fans interests would be a priority?