RFU chief coy on payout

RFU president John Spencer claims he knows nothing about his former British and irish Lions colleague and fellow solicitor mike Gibson winning ‘substantial damages’ over Spencer’s false allegations he manipulated team selection on the legendary 1971 Lions series win in New Zealand.

The settlement announced in the high court in Belfast follows Gibson’s claim for libel against Polaris Publishing, whose book When Lions

Roared contained Spencer’s comments. an RFU spokeswoman said: ‘John was not aware of the court hearing. he has a strong friendship with mike Gibson and holds him the highest regard.’ it is understood Spencer was in hospital when the book interview questions took place. lSHAHID

KHAN’S closest advisers were at an all-day meeting at Wembley this week to discuss in more detail buying the stadium. This is despite the FA insisting the £600m sale will not be completed until the autumn if it goes through and that they will follow extensive consultation with all stakeholders including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. But the FA do not want to lose their potential buyers, so talks with Khan’s team are continuing in parallel. The Fa in their wisdom invited their commercial partners to the defeat by Belgium, flying them in and out of kaliningrad. But the search continues for a team sponsor to replace vauxhall, whose deal ends after the World cup. Online shopping business Wish and Newcastle owner mike ashley’s Sports Direct are understood to be the only two companies to have shown firm interest.