Admit it, you, just like me, have had enough of the FA our
so-called ‘guardians of the game’. The national governing body for football in
England are not really interested in the well-being of the national sport –
unless there’s some cash in it for them.
This season has seen a long list of shameful decisions (and
non-decisions) from the powers that be at Lancaster Gate and we, the fans, just
swallow it time after time after time.
Enough, I say. It’s time to hit back. But before I explain how we,
the downtrodden, can do that let’s have three reminders out of potentially
hundreds as to why we should.
Foygate
To us Chelsea fans it was Foygate, the worst 90 minutes of
refereeing many of us have witnessed in a lifetime of watching the beautiful
game. To supporters of other clubs there have been a string of shocking
refereeing performances. Not one off, human error, single bad decisions but
appalling 90 minute demonstrations of incomprehensible shite. Yes, a number
from Chris Foy, our own favourite excuse for a ref but he is far from alone.
Managers complain and get fined. Players complain and get fined.
Fans complain and get accused of bias. The FA does nothing, the guardians of
the game take no action to protect the integrity of football and we are
supposed to just accept it.
England
Shirts
In the middle of the biggest economic downturn for years and after
only 8 (yes, eight) matches in the ‘new’ shirt design, the FA announce another
new shirt to replace the ‘old new’ shirt. And at only £55 who cares how long
its shelf life is, the FA certainly doesn’t! No, they don’t see fans they see
mugs with wallets.
The Straw
That Broke This Camel's Back
Of course, there has been more, you don’t need me to tell you. But
the straw which breaks this camel’s back is the decision not to allow Chelsea
to switch our FA Cup semi-final to allow more preparation time for our
(potential) Champions’ League semi-final the following Wednesday. Oh no, sod
that an English team might do well in Europe, sod fixture congestion, sod
common sense – that might all impact on TV scheduling and hence the potential
to exploit income opportunities for the FA. It is shameful and, before
supporters of other clubs laugh, it is a precedent that the FA have now set and
it is a precedent which could cost you in the future. It is not a decision in
the best interests of football (the looking after of which is their job), it is
a decision in the best interests of dosh. It is not a decision based in common
sense, it is a decision based on greed.
Fan Power
- What Can We Do?
It’s really quite simple. I’ve already started but on my own won’t
have any impact. My solution? Boycott everything to do with the FA until they
start putting the best interests of football, of English clubs and of fans back
to the top of their greedy little priority list. (Match tickets not included –
no point in cutting off the nose to spite the face).
That new £55 England shirt? Don’t buy it; hit them in their grubby
little pockets. Other official England merchandise? The same; it isn’t like
there isn’t plenty of unofficial stuff you can buy to show your support for the
national team this summer. And wearing a shirt that is only eight games old or
dates from 1966 says exactly the same without giving further support to the
wankers at Lancaster Gate.
I’m also going further and invite you to do so too. Until the FA
starts looking after football properly, staring with the rescheduling of a certain FA Cup semi-final, I’m boycotting their sponsors too. Now
that is a source of income they really would miss. I’m going to shout about it
too so the sponsors know why.
Want to join me? It means not buying products, services or food
from:
- Vauxhall (are their cars that good anyway?)
- Budweiser (American for tasteless lager)
- Umbro (£55 for a new shirt after only 8 games? ‘Nuff said)
- McDonalds (American for shit, unhealthy food)
- Mars (it’s not like there are no other options if you eat chocolate)
- William Hill (plenty of other bookies too)
These companies have chosen to associate their brands with the FA.
They deserve to be boycotted.
Share this message on social media (use #NotMyFA), get fans of
other clubs involved. There are hundreds of thousands if not millions who have
had enough of the FA. On my own I can’t change things; together we can and
doing it this way allows us to still support the team. See below for some ideas
for Tweets to get you started.
Of course, you don’t have to join me. Just remember though that
next time the FA pisses you off – don’t come bitching to me. We, the fans, have
the chance to change things. Let’s do it!
NOT MY FA
KTBFFH
Tweet suggestions:
Why I’m boycotting @theFAdotcom http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting @vauxhall http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting Budweiser http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting @umbro http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting McDonalds http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting Mars Bars http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
Why I’m boycotting @WilliamHillNews http://ow.ly/a0yyC
#NotMyFA
And don’t forget you can post on their Facebook pages too!
*If anyone knows Twitter handles for Budweiser, McDonalds or Mars,
please post in comments (below).
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