The affordability of ethics

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Who is in the mood for some virtue signalling this afternoon? English Premier League teams yesterday agreed to prohibit gambling advertising on the front of their shirts. This is a gesture towards the ethical lobby which for the major clubs is practically costless. Gambling ads can remain on the shirt sleeves (or elsewhere) or displayed prominently on hoardings.

Most crucially, the EPL’s main TV partner will continue to drown their EPL coverage with promotions of their in-house gambling platform. Sky Bet rubs up against other gambling companies, who can call on partisanship to promote loyalty. It would be better for Sky if such competition was shoved to the margins and what’s better for Sky usually has a way of becoming better for the EPL. The game there will do no more than shrug at this decision.

The EPL has a global reach and top clubs attract brands who can benefit from international coverage. Airlines, telecoms, software and financial services brands are on all the most valuable shirts. Newly valuable Newcastle has a gambling sponsor, but they have not troubled European tournaments in a decade; next time they will hook an advertiser with a global reach.

Brands with global reach don’t travel up the M74, we do not have the profile they look for. The overwhelming extent of Celtic’s media coverage is in the domestic market; what we wear on our shirts, reflects us, or to be more specific, our vices.

Saying, “No gambling or alcohol partnerships” is an easy virtue signal to send out, but it is no more than that, especially from those support the drink and gambling industries with their custom, or serve alcohol in their bars and restaurants. “Yes, I would like a bet/drink, but my club really should take its lead from someone else.”

As with many ethical questions, this one is not as clear as it seems and that’s before we thrown the fuel of commercial realities and the pressure of winning, that you and I are more than happy to pour into the mix. Still, it’s an easy virtual signalling opp.

Where to start on the six match ban for headbutting a coach after a match when the victim is looking the other way? Acts of physical agression should not take place between coaches, never mind an assault such as this. Missing a month’s worth of games does not reach the deterrent threashold.

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342 Comments

  1. Prestonpans bhoys on

    BRRB

     

     

    Not had an away tickets for about 6/7 years, no problem getting one for Killie but it would be in the home end.

     

     

    Anyway in the van in Aberfoyle this weekend, oops there’s a glass of gin in front of me, what should I do 🧋🍸

  2. BRRB 8.48pm

     

     

    You started this childish nonsense …

     

     

    And only a child would keep it going :-)

     

     

    Kyogo starts tomorrow … Ange will play his strongest 11, Oh & Co will need to earn their start

     

     

    Hope Killie go down … the less plastic pitches the better

     

     

    Delighted for Dundee Utd … Tannadice far more enjoyable than many other places

  3. I never want any Hun entity to win anything, don’t even like them winning the toss of the coin … but when I heard (wife informs me) 3 goals in last 10mins .. “shut your hole fatboy” & arsefield … I had a wee smile

     

     

    The rats leaving the sinking ship are their heroes today .. whit a shit future

     

     

    Happy daze

  4. fairhill bhoy on

    Reading back and Big Jimmy upsetting a few chumps and getting called a bully 🤔

     

    Ironic isn’t it 😉

  5. Tom McLaughlin on

    PRESTONPANS BHOYS

     

     

    I was in Prestonpans this morning watching my grandson playing football for Portobello Thistle.

  6. Yatao

     

    @yataoda4

     

    ·

     

    5h

     

    If we translate “Mon the Hoops” into Japanese, it’s “いくぞセルティック”. But this is standard Japanese, and in the case of dialect of Kansai region which is hometown of Daizen, Kyogo, and Yuki, It’s “ほないくでセルティック”. You can use it when you message them before games👌

  7. Prestonpans bhoys on

    Tom

     

     

    Hope you enjoyed the game, I’m 64 miles up the road in my caravan outside Gartmore. The van is all inclusive 👍

  8. TheLurkinTim on 15th April 2023 10:11 pm

     

     

    BRRB…i don’t name the places I fish…Anette does 😂

     

     

    H.H

     

    ———————————————————————————————-

     

     

    I thought it was Rod. 😂😂😂

     

     

    Hope your well mate.

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  9. garygillespieshamstring on

    Spoiled for choice on BBC tonight.

     

     

    Carole King on BBC2 oe Ripping Yarns (Thomkinson’s schooldays) and Likely Lads on BBC 4

  10. The last time i got offered an away ticket was in 2011, i took it

     

     

    Based on the recent concept of attending giving you credit; why have i never had another ticket but 8 year olds turn up with the louts at Ross County?

     

     

    That’s how the ‘great guy’ who gets the Sligo guy a Rangers ticket happens

     

     

    Certain buses and people get the tickets

  11. AuroraBorealis79 on

    John Lundstrum warns Celtic “Rivals out for statement win!”

     

     

    It is difficult to believe this clown has absolutely no idea that his team have done a clean sweep of the statement premier league, the statement league Cup, the European statement champions, World Cup of statements & the statement of clock Cup. How many statements are there?!

  12. Good morning from North Staffs on this Divine Mercy Sunday.

     

    3 points today would be nice

  13. Good morning all Tims around the globe from a dry, happy matchday in the Garngad.

     

     

    Off to watch the wee grandson playing before heading to the Howgait (pub) for game. All welcome.

     

     

    Any win on that surface will do but 3-1 to the Celtic.

     

     

    D :)

  14. Maidin maith mo chairde.

     

    Good morning from a sunny Alicante.

     

    Will be watching the Bhoys in Murphy’s Bar later.

     

    2 goals from Kyogo and one from Jota please.

     

    If we can take it easy on the booze, an afternoon swim to follow.