With the Premier League kicking off this weekend, an extraordinary summer of sport comes to an end. We’ve had the annual favourites like golf at the Open, tennis at Wimbledon and Roland-Garros, plus the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot, the Lord’s Test and the excitement of Silverstone and Monaco. But beyond that, this summer has produced some epochal events and achievements with the European Football Championship and the Olympic Games in Paris.

What is remarkable about this summer of sport is that all of the above events took place in a European geographic area just slightly larger than Texas. Europe has long set the standard in hosting sporting events. The 2024 European Championships in Germany and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are prime examples of this proud tradition.

At the recent Olympic Games, many people remarked: “We haven’t seen anything like this since London 2012.” This was not only a testament to the quality of the sporting competition; it was also because the Paris Olympics, like the London Games, were a celebration of public enthusiasm and participation. They were a celebration of intense competitive sport, framed by the values ​​of inclusivity, diversity and humanity. Another word for this kind of sportsmanship is democracy.

A key democratic principle of the London Olympics was to bring the Games to the people. Rather than focusing on numerous, sometimes iconic, new stadiums, as was the case at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, London created temporary venues around existing landmarks or used existing stadiums to make the Games more accessible. Some of the fondest memories come from events such as road cycling, the marathon and open water swimming, where spectators could enjoy the action for free, mingle with the athletes and share the excitement. It was a democratic sporting experience.

Paris 2024 built on that legacy – and, as much as it pains me to say it, exceeded it, with a focus on integrating the Games into the fabric of the city. By making use of existing landmarks and temporary venues, Paris ensured the Olympic Games were both spectacular and accessible, reinforcing the idea that the true spirit of the Olympic Games lies in unity, participation and celebration.

This summer’s European football championships in Germany also brought these democratic values ​​to the fore. Germany’s successful history of hosting international events such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup – known as the ‘summer fairytale’ – shows how events in liberal democracies are not only entertaining but also foster camaraderie and respect. This freedom of expression made for iconic moments outside the stadiums, from Scottish bagpipers parading into the venues to mad Dutch people jumping left to right in their thousands. Amazingly, English fans managed to display their good-natured humour, which only occasionally manifested itself in fat, drunken men throwing garden furniture at police officers.

Such unchoreographed and joyful reactions to sporting events simply do not exist in authoritarian countries. This type of freedom of expression must first be learned.

In recent years, a tug-of-war has emerged between liberal democracies and authoritarian states over the soft power associated with major sporting events. The influx of money from authoritarian regimes, particularly from the Gulf region and China, into global sport is not just about business – it is about the pursuit of influence and legitimacy through sportswashing.

This brings us to the Premier League and the importance of protecting football from the corrupting influence of totalitarian states’ money. The integrity of this most democratic of sports is at stake, along with the values ​​that have made it a global phenomenon. The controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed LIV golf tour is a prime example of how petrodollars from a totalitarian regime can corrupt a sport traditionally associated with fairness, honour and sportsmanship.

The Olympic golf tournament was such a resounding success because it rose above the corrupting influence of LIV Golf, and next year’s Ryder Cup will no doubt be the same.

Equally worrying is the increasing relocation of boxing to the Middle East, fuelled by vast sums of money from authoritarian governments. These developments reflect a general trend whereby authoritarian regimes use the sport to boost their image, often at the expense of the integrity of the sport and the values ​​that underpin it.

The idea that sport is just another business underestimates what is really at stake. The Premier League, with its global reach and billions of fans, is not just a commercial enterprise – it is about power. The Premier League shapes perceptions of Britain and Western values ​​around the world. It is a living embodiment of the West’s soft power, a cultural export that carries with it the ideals of fairness, competition and freedom.

This is precisely why authoritarian regimes are so keen to invest in global sport, with the Premier League being a key target. The flow of money from totalitarian states into English football is not just for financial gain – it is a strategic move in the battle for soft power. These regimes are trying to buy legitimacy by associating themselves with the world’s most popular league. Yet despite their investments, they fail to understand what makes the Premier League – or any other major sporting competition – so special.

Despite their wealth, authoritarian regimes have never succeeded in creating sporting competitions that can rival the global impact of the Premier League, Wimbledon, Lord’s or The Open. When the global roadshows of the Olympics, the World Cup and Formula 1 visit totalitarian states, they never fail to deliver.

Why? The difference is with the fans.

Major sporting events are not just about the athletes – they are also about the spectators and their freedom to express themselves. In liberal democracies, sport is celebrated as much for the sense of community it fosters as for the sporting achievements it showcases.

The spontaneous outbursts of emotion from fans, the freedom to criticise and celebrate, and the open, competitive environment that allows the best to rise to the top – these are elements that authoritarian regimes struggle to replicate. Their attempts to burnish their image by investing in global sport may buy them a seat at the table, but they cannot buy the genuine passion and global resonance that come naturally in liberal democracies.

It is no coincidence that the same liberal democracies that nurture a vibrant sports culture are often marked by political turmoil and lively democratic debate. The freedom that allows passionate expression in sport also underpins the democratic processes in these countries. The often chaotic and contentious nature of elections in liberal democracies, such as the recent elections in France and the UK, might be seen by some as a weakness. However, this openness to debate and self-criticism is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy.

The West should be concerned when totalitarian regimes try to corrupt – be it by lining their own pockets with right-wing populist politicians or by buying up football clubs.

In contrast, such powerful political discourse is unthinkable in totalitarian states, where dissent is often met with severe repression. The freedom to argue, protest and vote in democratic societies is something that many people in authoritarian regimes would risk their lives for. This freedom is not a flaw, but a strength that reflects the same values ​​that make Western sport so fascinating. It is this freedom that fuels the creativity, dynamism and global appeal of events like the Premier League.

As the Premier League season begins, it is important to recognise the wider significance of this competition. It is more than just a football league; its global fame and popularity is rooted in the very values ​​that authoritarian regimes seek to undermine: freedom, fairness and the rule of law.

Sporting events are not just about crowning winners; they celebrate the human spirit, unity and the values ​​we hold dear. It is no coincidence that the most memorable and successful events take place in liberal democracies where freedom, diversity and public participation are encouraged and celebrated. Looking back at the Olympic Games in Paris and the European Football Championship in Germany, we are reminded that in sport, as in society, it is the people – free to express themselves, celebrate and engage – who make the occasion truly great.

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