Summary: Money, violence, hate, cheating: that is the face of modern football. Once the so called “beautiful game” represented something precious and important about English identity. But from a mixture of greed and appalling incompetence, the British football authorities have encouraged foreign oligarchs to take over the game – and this, say the traditionalists, has destroyed all that was valuable in the national game. But are the traditionalists right? Haven’t mercenary values and unsporting tactics always been part of the spirit of English football? Isn’t the truth rather that the foreign fortunes poured into our football and the foreign players they have attracted have made the game infinitely more exciting, skillful and pleasurable to watch? Speakers for the motion are Tom Bower, Dominic Lawson, Ed Smith Speakers against the motion are Garth Crooks, Hunter Davies, David Sheepshanks The Chair is Angus Scot
