Twist in TV rights fight

A coNcLuSioN to the Premier League TV rights tender, with two packages unsold, could still be a long way off. unless a sale can be agreed by next week, executive chairman Richard Scudamore will probably start the process again, this time offering the two unwanted sets of 20 matches along with digital clip and ‘near live’ rights.

But they will surely not be bundled into one super package, because that would rule out PL bankrollers Sky, who are only allowed to have 20 more live games.

A SIXTH Premiership rugby club media manager leaving this season suggests all is not well in the 12-team league. Helen Bayes at Bath has followed Callum Shepherd (Harlequins), Matt Hennessy (Saracens), Melissa Platt (Wasps), Chris Wearmouth (Northampton) and Dave Swanton (Sale) through the exit door. AMoNG the many reasons for holding cup draws after the previous round has been completed is the integrity of the competition. So it was ridiculous that the FA cup sixth-round draw was made last Saturday, with fifth-round matches still to be played on Sunday and Monday.

An FA spokesman said they work with their two TV rights-holders who stage the draw alternately, and BT Sport wanted the sixth-round draw as part of their Saturday programme.

TWICKENHAM’S crackdown on RFU councillors addressing female staff as sweetheart, love and darling saw them shown a video at their last meeting in which the women explained how uncomfortable it made them feel. Examples included councillors assuming female staff were wives or assistants of male RFU employees.