This time last month, the top four tiers of English football played part in Green Football Weekend. The official website claims that:
"Clubs also have a huge role to play. This Green Football Weekend, took part in greener games, taking action to reduce carbon pollution such as offering special deals on tasty veggie snacks, providing green transport alternatives for fans, and showcasing what they're doing to create a greener future."
Three weeks later the Carabao Cup Final was held in Wembley. Liverpool defeated Chelsea after extra time. Following the celebrations pictures were posted on social media of the team and staff with the Carabao Cup. Some of these were players and staff on the team airplane which had departed from north London for Liverpool airport.
In days past, teams would have travelled by train or coach to get to London. Even from up north. Not anymore. The return trip by airplane probably produced about 1 metric tonne of CO2. The car equivalent of this journey would be similar to a return trip to play Legia Warsaw - about 2,500 km.
It says "Your favourite players and football’s biggest foodies shared their go-to veggie recipes, so you too can eat like the playing elite" on the Green Football Weekend website.
As well as fans trying vegetarian options and getting offered “special deals on tasty veggie snacks” it would also be good if football clubs could take similar steps to protect the environment. Or this another case of "do as I say, not as do"?