The grass could be greener

Even to most fans, football is an extravagant, bloated, indulgent symbol of late capitalism, characterised by self-interest rather than principles - certainly at the highest levels. Just look at FIFA. And yet the new chief exec of Friends Of The Earth, Craig Bennett, has argued that his organisation - and others in the green movement - should make more effort to foster relations with football.

In an article for the New Statesman, Pete May explains why this isn't quite as misguided as it might sound, and in the process outs George Monbiot as an avowed hater of football (and other sports). My relationship with Monbiot is already best described as complicated, and this just makes me even more suspicious of him. Best of luck to Bennett, though - he may need it...

(Thanks to Julian for the link.)