The recent developments that unfolded in the realm of football over the past weekend have raised disquietude regarding the future of the sport. With various controversies and decisions dominating the headlines, one is compelled to ponder what football would resemble by 2024.
The focal point of the storm appears to have landed at Gateshead FC, a club that surpassed expectations and managed to persist after confronting extinction in 2019. The Tynesiders clawed their way back into the National League and secured a play-off spot without resorting to high-profile resources, instead prioritizing sustainable growth and team-building. However, their aspirations were shattered over the weekend when they were expelled from the National League play-offs for failing to meet the EFL’s membership criteria.
The club was unable to guarantee a 10-year tenancy at their current ground, resulting in their exclusion from the play-offs. The culpability has been volleyed between the local authority and the EFL, with both parties pointing fingers at each other rather than addressing the underlying issue. The dearth of support for a flourishing football club only exacerbates the general exasperation about the trajectory in which football is heading.
Moreover, the pervasive use of VAR has only contributed to the disillusionment of football enthusiasts. The technology, initially introduced to ensure fairness and accuracy, has now become a source of controversy, prompting many to question its impact on the game. From offside calls to refereeing decisions, the reliance on VAR has diluted the raw emotion and unpredictability of the sport.
In the midst of this, the implementation of PSR, aiming to guarantee profitability and sustainability in the Premier League, has erected a glass ceiling for clubs, impeding their ambition and creating an uneven playing field. The sanctions and regulations have only deepened the chasm between the larger and smaller clubs, leaving fans disenchanted with the state of affairs.
As if that were not enough, the decision to abolish FA Cup replays in favour of Champions League expansion has further widened the gap, depriving fans of dramatic moments and thrilling finishes that have been an integral part of the sport’s history. Instead, the sport is now reliant on decisions made off the pitch, distorting the very essence of football.
Although certain actions of football clubs, such as Nottingham Forest’s recent social media post, have elicited criticism, they only serve to underscore the mounting frustration within the fanbase. It is evident that there exists an undercurrent of discontent that football’s governing bodies cannot afford to disregard.
The future of football hangs in the balance, and the decisions made today will have a lasting impact on the sport’s future. With all the recent controversies and decisions, football risks alienating its most crucial component, its loyal supporters. Unless changes are instituted to address these concerns, the sport may risk estranging its core followers, culminating in a future that is devoid of the passion and spirit that defines football.