BBC is calling double fault over World Cup
BBC Sport and other Wimbledon broadcasters from around the globe have made complaints to FIFA about crazy scheduling that sees the men’s singles final clash with the 2018 World Cup final.
The Moscow final is due to kick off at 4pm UK time on Sunday, July 15 next year. That is when the flagship tennis match at Wimbledon should be reaching its climax, having started at 2pm.
The collision is unfortunate whoever is involved but will cause a national crisis in the unlikely event of England’s football team and Andy Murray both being in competition on the day.
The BBC contract with Wimbledon details ‘main channels’ coverage rather than specifically BBC One or BBC Two.
Networks such as BBC and Japan’s NHK who have the rights for both Wimbledon and the World Cup are known to have made inquiries to Zurich about the possibility of changing the kick- off time. It is pointed out that 4pm (6pm Moscow) is an unusual time in Europe to start a match of such importance.
The choice of kick- off time — ‘ not ideal’ as Wimbledon calls it — is that much more frustrating considering the two semi-finals have been scheduled for 9pm Moscow time and there is even a 10pm start earlier in the tournament.
But FIFA are adamant there will be no switch and emphasise that 4pm is an appropriate time when the world audience is taken into account.
MCC chairman Gerald Corbett, a Royal Box guest at Wimbledon yesterday, no doubt discussed with All England Club counterpart Philip Brook (right) the respective plans to develop their grounds. But the main difference is that while Lord’s have spent the last 20 years arguing over whether or not property developers should fund the building work, the All England Club just get on with construction — without MCC’s need for reviews, surveys and ballots.
CAPTAIN of industry Nick Basing was an intriguing choice for a Royal Box invite yesterday — having been surprisingly voted off the All England Club board last December. Basing was replaced by Bruce Weatherill, son of the late Baron Weatherill, former speaker of the House of Commons. The move was seen by Wimbledon insiders as a mini- coup against chairman Philip Brook over the hands-on way he likes to run the club, with wife Gill in close attendance. Basing was regarded as a strong supporter of Brook.
THE All England Club’s enduring love affair with the Masters now includes replicating, as closely as possible, the famous cabins at Augusta where the great and the good stay during the tournament. There is no room for this within Wimbledon so the All England Club have spent a whopping £3m buying a six-bedroom, fourbathroom, four-reception room house in Bathgate Road which backs on to the practice courts and has its own private entrance into the grounds. It will be used by chairman Philip Brook and other club dignitaries during The Championships and to accommodate VIP guests. For sure, Augusta National chairman Billy Payne will be housed there when he next comes to Wimbledon.