Whether or not you accept Martin Tyler’s explanation that he did not intend to link the Hillsborough tragedy with “other hooligan-related issues” is a personal choice.
Listen to the clip and make your own mind up. For what it is worth, it sounds to me like the sort of automatic subconscious connection that so many people have made down the years - one that, somehow, has still not been fully eradicated by years of campaigning, education and, finally, justice.
In his apology, Tyler said: “There is no connection at all between the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism - I know that.” But, in common with many, perhaps he did not know that at the time and, hence, the conflation of the two in his radio interview. Whether you want to give Tyler the benefit of the doubt or not, his comments have given Sky Sports a problem.
And considering the reason Tyler was talking on BBC Radio Four in the first place, that is ironic, because the veteran commentator was there to blow a celebratory trumpet for the 30-year collaboration between his TV station and the Premier League. Yes, it appears it is time for another reminder that football was invented in 1992 by the characters who dreamt up the Premier League in cahoots with Sky.
In its simplicity, in its promotion, in its administration, in its concept, the Premier League has been a roaring success, let’s get that right. And in its innovation, in its quality, in its sporting commitment, in its punditry, Sky Sports’ coverage has been superb. But the reason Tyler brought up Hillsborough was to try and highlight the idea that football was “in a bit of a crisis at that time” - i.e. in the years leading up to the formation of the Premier League.
Again, whether subconsciously or not, the implication is that the good old Premier League and good old Sky dragged football out of the dark ages. The implication is a slight on all those wonderful footballers who thrilled equally as many people as the Premier League currently thrills. Sky have brought us thousands of live games but at a cost to the supporter - a cost that will be felt even more keenly in the unfolding recession.
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But never mind the recession, clubs still sign kit deals that mean replica shirts go for £100 a pop and Fulham charged some fans that same amount to get into a game on Saturday, while fixtures are moved to times and dates that show scant regard for the travelling fan. When Tyler said football was “in a bit of a crisis at the time”, it is all relative.
For different reasons, Tyler - who is said to be ’distraught’ and who, for what it is worth, has always come across as a thoroughly decent chap - will be regretting his appearance on the wireless on Friday morning. But no matter how much of a coincidence, it would not have happened if we were not being told we should be celebrating the Premier League and Sky yet again. There have been good things, there have been bad things, let’s just get on with it.
Missed chances for the BBC
The Lionesses’ journey at Euro 2022 was so compelling that record numbers watched on BBC television. But the peak viewing figure in excess of 17 million was testimony not only to how the England team gripped the nation but also to the pulling power of terrestrial television. So what a shame the Beeb has not shown the same sort of interest in the Women’s Open golf over the past few days.
The fantastic event - even more significant this year in that it is being held at Muirfield, the Scottish club that became synonymous with male-only golf institutions - has been broadcast live on Sky Sports. The BBC have only got the daily highlights but have decided to show them at ungodly hours and will not tell the story of today’s final round until after 11pm.
Even in school holiday times, how many aspirational young golfers will still be up? The Women’s Open is a great Major and is a once-a-year occasion when ALL the best female golfers in the world come to these shores. It deserves better than being a scheduled afterthought in the graveyard slot.
