World Cup free-for-all

The FA communication department’s commitment to do things differently at the World Cup now extends to putting up all 23 players at the same time to be interviewed by the media at St George’s Park on June 5. The admirable initiative is taken from the Superbowl, when the nFL insist both finalists do likewise. Forgive the scepticism after seeing so many england footballers swerve the Press — but it’s just not going to happen.

Sports’ invitation to manager Pep Guardiola to go to their Isleworth HQ for a special interview this week comes about after Manchester City’s promised to give the subscription channel extra material. It follows Sky’s anger at Amazon Prime getting behind-the-scenes access for their £10m City docu-series. And Amazon’s 30-second trailer for All or Nothing: Manchester City promotes some of that Pep dressing-room action that Sky have never been allowed to film.