Blazers scoff at buffet

THE FA are planning to introduce four categories A*, A , B and C for their pre-match meals in the VIP Wembley Suite — putting on a buffet rather than a full-scale service for games rated the least formal. Unsurprisingly, three great bastions of FA privilege, Sir Dave Richards, Noel White and Barry Taylor, have opposed any drop in Wembley’s fine-dining standards.

Meanwhile, new blazer Dominic Shellard has been tipped for a big future in football politics. The vice- chancellor of De Montfort University, who is gay, gave an impressive debut speech that outlined how the FA should tackle discrimination and bring more diversity to the organisation. And Shellard being an authority on William Shakespeare must help his oratory skills.

BASKETBALL England, who have chronically failed to build on the sport’s great popularity at school level, have had chief executive Stewart Kellett off work for nearly six months with a stress-related illness. This came after Kellett moved the sport’s headquarters last March from Sheffield to Manchester, where he lives. Staff have been unsure if he will return, but the board said last night he will be back at the start of next month.