We all know that politics only exists for commentators to make tiresome football metaphors. And now the two worlds have met.
David Beckham has scored for the Remain side, voicing his support for Britain staying in the EU. In a statement, he warned, “For our children and their children, we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.”
The Spice spouse and former footballer praised the “great European cities and their passionate fans”, which have welcomed him and his family over the years. His freedom of movement has taken him to play and live in Madrid, Milan and Paris.
How football affects the vote – particularly with England through to the Euro 2016 knockout stages – is of great importance to those campaigning ahead of this week’s referendum.
Just the evening before Beckham’s intervention, David Cameron claimed on Twitter that all 20 Premier League clubs are “Stronger In”:
Football fans should know: all 20 @PremierLeague clubs say we’re #StrongerIn Europe. https://t.co/oYa5VDkLHN pic.twitter.com/t5QJTsI9vR
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) June 20, 2016
This came off the back of the news that the Premier League’s chair Richard Scudamore would find leaving the EU “incongruous” considering his organisation’s commitment to “openness”.
The Prime Minister has come under fire for his interpretation of Scudamore’s comments, however, as the chair was not speaking on behalf of all clubs.
Either way, it’s evident that both sides think the will of football fans could make a difference. Upon hearing Beckham’s stance, the Brexiter Michael Gove insisted: “Sol Campbell is for Leave, as indeed is John Barnes. As a QPR fan I know what it’s like to support the underdog.”
Personally, your mole cannot wait for a time when it can safely say: “They think it’s all over…it is now.”
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