Power to the People
An Alternative Ranking System for the Beautiful Game
At Offside Empire, we believe football should belong to the people: built by them, run by them, and used to serve them. That's why we've created the Power to the People ranking system, a framework that scores football clubs not by goals and trophies, but by their ownership, community culture, and commitment to solidarity and justice. In a previous post we identified the threat posed to football by the global Empire of predatory capital, and now our ranking system will help define how clubs are responding to the Empire's drive for total domination.
Our system scores across three key pillars: Of the People, By the People, and For the People. Each pillar is worth up to 20 points and measures a different dimension of football's democratic, ethical, and community-empowering potential.
Of the People: Ownership and Governance (20 points) ⚖️
This pillar assesses how a club is owned and operated. Does the team belong to its community and supporters? Are decisions made in the interest of all stakeholders? Does the club resist the influence of corporate investors, billionaire oligarchs, and apartheid or authoritarian states?
Top marks (16-20) go to clubs that are fan-owned, supporter-run, or cooperatively structured. Partial credit is given to clubs with transparent governance, strong community accountability, or hybrid ownership models that include meaningful supporter and community input.
Key metrics include:
- Democratic, Cooperative, or Trust-based governance structure
- Supporters exercise voting rights or have genuine representation
- Community Benefit Society (CBS) or non-profit status
- Transparent finances and regular public updates
- Open Annual General Meetings (AGMs) or community forums
- Resistance to privatization or extractive foreign ownership
- Rejects foreign state or corporate sportswashing influence
- Resurrected from financial collapse or hostile removal (phoenix clubs)
- Part of national or international fan ownership networks
By the People: Culture and Local Production (20 points) 🍺
This pillar celebrates clubs that are deeply rooted in their communities and express a distinct local culture. We reward clubs that invest in developing local footballers, support local vendors, artists, and independent media, and foster a sense of place and identity. Sponsorships and partnerships should reflect community values and resist the hyper-commercialization and rampant commodification of football.
Top marks (16-20) go to clubs that actively support local players, local businesses, food producers, merchandise makers, and cultural initiatives. We look for clubs that make space for fan creativity and storytelling, who reinvest in their region and support local changemakers and charities.
Key metrics include:
- Active recruitment and development of local players
- Affordable or free youth academy programs
- Local sourcing of club merchandise, kits, and concessions
- Partnerships with local vendors, artisans, food producers, and charities
- Support for independent media and fan expression
- Storytelling that honors local history, language, and identity
- Celebration of regional culture in matchday experience and club image
- Affordable or locally brewed beer offered at home fixtures and events
For the People: Solidarity and Activism (20 points) ✊
This pillar measures how clubs stand up for the cause of justice. Do they use their platform to speak truth to power? Do they stand in solidarity with the oppressed? Do they fight racism, stand against genocide, support gender freedom and equality, support LGBTQ+ rights, and take action on environmental and other global issues?
Top marks (16-20) go to clubs that show real courage: speaking out against injustice, welcoming refugees, promoting anti-racism, or backing climate action. We also consider how clubs support workers' rights and oppose imperialism.
Key metrics include:
- Support for marginalized communities and partnerships with grassroots activist organizations
- Support for Palestine and opposition to genocide in Gaza
- Gender equality, affirmation of LGBTQ+ rights, and anti-racism campaigns
- Ethical stances on labor rights (e.g. fair wages, no sweatshop kits, union support)
- Environmental awareness and commitments (e.g. carbon reduction, sustainable travel, food waste initiatives)
- Rejection of military sponsorships, fossil fuel deals, and imperialist branding
- Solidarity actions from fan groups supported (not punished) by the club
- Transparent and values-aligned sponsorship and funding sources
- Willingness to take public stances on controversial issues, even under pressure
Together, these three pillars form a blueprint for the kind of football we want to see: football that serves the People, not the agenda of the Empire, the vanity of billionaires, or the reputations of multinational corporations.
The Power to the People ranking system isn't about perfection—it's about progress, courage, and commitment to a better world!
Stay tuned as we publish club rankings and spotlight those who are leading the way. This is football offside from empire—and onside with the people.