The newspaper supposedly leading the charge on behalf of Britain's disabled, the Sun , had been forced to issue an apology only a few months ago after it had airbrushed a disabled person from a front-page photograph so it would not adversely affect sales. In Parliament the government, which last year had faced angry protests at the cutting of invalidity benefit, also postured as the champion of the disabled. Labour MPs called for Hoddle's resignation and were backed up by Blair on a breakfast TV chat show. This was just one week before Labour's new measures on welfare reform were published. With his government poised to introduce some of the most draconian legislation against the disabled ever seen, Blair no doubt regarded the issue as a useful diversion.
Football is a multibillion-pound industry.
The Football Association's supposed independence is a fraud. Events have proven that this is simply a repackaging of British nationalism. The latter are increasingly discredited and the English football team has proven itself to be no substitute. Hoddle's poor results as a football manager could no longer be financially or politically tolerated. For the press and government, his remarks provided a convenient pretext.