As a crazy football fan I would argue that you are right and wrong at the same time on this topic. I would agree with you that football is the perhaps one the most efficient ways in controlling and managing of the people, but again the same would apply also for the journalism, literature, music industry, cinematography, etc.
There are when football was a tool used for a good cause. I would suggest you to watch any documentary on the Democracia Corinthiana and the legendary Sócrates (the footballer)!