Here is a question that will never feature in a Christmas party quiz: which Premier League attendance record was broken this week?
No, Luton Town did not find a way to squeeze a few more in for the visit of the champions Manchester City on Sunday. And we are not referring to the huge crowd that turned up to see Arsenal beat Chelsea at the Emirates, which is a Premier League venue but was hosting a Women’s Super League game.
You are never going to get it, so we will put you out of your misery: Tuesday’s crowd of 30 club representatives was a record attendance for a Premier League shareholders’ meeting at the Brunel Building, the fancy London office block in Paddington, west London, that became the league’s headquarters in 2019. And that does not include the “virtual” crowd, who took part in the meeting working-from-home style.
Well done, boys (and girls). But was it a good process?
Not according to some participants, who agreed to speak to The Athletic under the condition of anonymity in order to protect their relationships.
“Chaos” was one description, “shambles” another. And yet three decisions were made and it was all over by lunchtime. So, it could not have been that bad.
Let’s run through the agenda and you can decide if this bumper crowd witnessed success…
