NO SALUTES FOR CUP IDEA

A FRESH TAKE ON FOOTBALL

- Chris DUNLAVY

PLANS to overhaul the FA Cup have sparked predictable – and justifiable – outrage amongst lower league clubs.

Which, in all probability, was the idea. In the US, politicians often talk about raising the flag and seeing who salutes.

Also known in the PR industry as a trial balloon, it is the process of intentionally leaking a controversial idea to the press in order to gauge public reaction before committing time and resources to a full-fledged plan.

One example came during the fag end of Donald Trump’s presidency. Rumours circulated constantly that Trump, facing potential criminal charges, would resign from office in exchange for a guarantee of immunity from his replacement.

What the Republicans really wanted to know was whether the public would be receptive to Trump’s departure and, ergo, whether he retained enough popular support to win a second term.

As to why this approach is required, consider the shambolic announcement of the European Super League.

The news dropped like a bombshell in the spring of 2021. No preamble. No equivocation. The nine clubs involved, led by Real Madrid and Juventus, simply told the world that they were taking their ball and f***ing off.