Poll Archive

Please could you say which of the following statements best describes you (choose only one):

All respondents answering ‘I am quote interested in football but don't really support a particular team' or ‘I have no interest in football at all' at Question 1 are filtered out of all subsequent questions, leaving a sample of 1,066 ‘football fans'.

Foreign Players

In recent years the number of foreign players, managers, and owners in British football has increased. Some people argue that this hinders the development of home-grown talent, while others argue that this has enriched British football. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement:

There are too many foreign players in the British game

Increased foreign ownership of British clubs is good for British football

Clubs are forced to buy foreign players because domestic players are overpriced

The government should intervene to stop foreign businessmen from buying British football clubs

There is not enough domestic home-grown talent, which is why clubs look to buy players abroad

West Ham United / Sheffield United

At the end of last season, West Ham United narrowly avoided relegation at the expense of Sheffield United. Sheffield United have subsequently appealed against a decision by the FA not to deduct points from West Ham United for their conduct during the transfers of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez. Regardless of whether or not you think that the appeal by Sheffield United should be successful, do you think that the FA should have deducted points from West Ham United at the original hearing in May?

Steve McLaren

Steve McLaren has received criticism from fans and the media since taking over as England manager from Sven Goran Eriksson after the 2006 World Cup. While some people believe that this criticism is hasty and unfair, others have branded McLaren ‘the worst England manager ever'. Which of the following comes closest to your view on this matter?

Most Wanted Player

Out of the players listed below, who would you most like to see playing in the English Premier Division or Scottish Premier League?

Technology in Football

There is currently a debate about the role of technology in football. In other sports such as Tennis and Cricket new technology plays a vital role in key decision-making, however at present technology is not used in any aspect of decision making in football. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement:

Hawk-eye goal-line technology should be introduced to determine whether the ball has crossed the line for a goal

Controversial or close offside decisions should be resolved using video-replays

Where a referee is unsure, video-replays should be used to determine whether a penalty should be awarded

Disliked Players

Certain players in the Premier League are particularly disliked by opposition fans, usually because of their behaviour or perceived attitude. Of the following players, who do you like the least?

WAGs

Footballer's wives and girlfriends, or WAGs as they are sometimes known, have received increased press attention in recent years. In your opinion, which of the following footballer's partners is the most attractive?

Lord Stevens' Inquiry into Corruption

Lord Stevens' inquiry into corruption in football found no evidence of irregular payments to players or club officials, but it highlighted potential problems with 17 transfers. For each of the following statements, please indicate whether you strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement:

The FA is not properly equipped to regulate transfer dealings and should be replaced by an independent body set up by the government

Backhand deals have always happened and there's not much that any regulatory authority can do about them

The information unearthed in Lord Stevens' inquiry casts so much doubt on the current state of British football that there should be a complete overhaul of the current governing bodies

The Football authorities do a good job in regulating the game and there is no need for a new body to regulate football