Mac's Musings
Red Card for Good Media Image
18/12/2007Rape allegations and Premiership football players seem to go hand in hand. None has ever made it to court so we have no idea of the truth of these claims, but every time it happens it generates a news crisis for which the clubs seem unprepared .
Newspaper reports suggest that Manchester United's Christmas bash was some party, fuelled by lots of alcohol and attended by plenty of hangers on but no Wives and Girlfriends.
I don't know what the WAGS' reaction is to the revelations but I know how my partner would have reacted if I had been there. (Honest, I wasn't there. I was having a quiet Christmas drink with the lads down at the Slug and Bank Manager discussing the latest moves in the Northern Rock affair.)
What does come across is that Manchester United and other premiership clubs have still not addressed the issue of protecting their reputations which are intricately interwoven with the reputations of their players. What's needed is a long, hard look at their media image to produce a strategy which defines and protects that image. They need a crisis plan, a crisis news management plan and media training for all their players.
Looking at the issue more broadly, all soccer clubs should be aware that the behaviour and morality of their young stars can tarnish their media image whether the allegations are proved or not. Premiership clubs need to address this as a priority because reputation should be seen as a cornerstone of any soccer club.
For more information how we can help you to develop your media skills have a look at our media awareness, media training and crisis management courses.
