It all began on September 10th 1960.
That was the date of the first live televised match on English television, the Division One game between Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers.
It was also the occasion of the first instance of disinformation from the broadcasters to bolster their product (although it is doubtful whether ITV were aware that they were instigating a process where the greatest sport would become a media brand).
After the game, critics complained that the commentators overpraised what one could see was a poor game and talked about a packed house when the crowd of 17,000 meant Bloomfield Road was less than half-full.
The following week, Arsenal refused to allow the cameras in for the second live ITV match, an act mimicked by the club owners in the following weeks, meaning that the Lancashire derby was the only live match to be shown.
Inevitably, Blackpool lost 1-0.
But, sporting media disinformation had been born.
Nearly half a century on, it is no surprise to find that the attitudes of the mealy-mouthed mainstream media have developed somewhat.
But the basic formula remains a constant - utilise disinformation to disguise the Hyperreality.
This post looks at several current Spectaculars and provides the hidden Realities behind the Spectacular Neorealities.
We check out Thaksin Shinawatra and Manchester City - we know how this one will play out. Big news about the Citizens plight.
We check out Mike "its-the-truth-I'm-known-as-a-liar" Ashley and Newcastle United - isn't there something in British law about owners lying to shareholders?
We check out the summer transfer markets - how the mainstream media gamed the disinformation to maximise profits.
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© Football Is Fixed/Dietrological
