If a thing is fit for purpose, then it fulfils its obligations to stakeholders. No story there.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association or FIFA as one might more succinctly say, is “an association governed by Swiss law founded in 1904, based in Zurich. It has 211 member associations and its goal, enshrined in its Statutes, is the constant improvement of football.”

Improvement, something of a blanket term, warms hope that if the game is the summit, then all that goes into enabling its play constitutes the mountain beneath. To whom do all those thousands of people whose function is to deliver that aim and are governed by its rules look for shining leadership towards integrity, nobility of purpose, inspiration of generations to leap beyond limitations?

Drooping the threat of a fine over FA heads should the national teams sport an empathic poppy on their arm on Armistice Day: is that not something of an own goal? FIFA’s argument is that shirts must not carry political statements. With all the branded sponsorship currently splattered over Strips, chance’d be a fine thing actually to see a political statement.

Doing the right thing trumps neutrality when it comes to being fit for purpose. Come to think of it, with doing the right thing, the clue seems to be in the title.

* In the absence of finding a self-explanatory illustration of an own goal, an image of not fit for purpose was more readily available.