FIVE-TOURNAMENT DEAL FOR QATAR IS WORLD CUP LEGACY
EYEBROWS have been raised at FIFA’s decision to send five Under 17 World Cups in a row to Qatar from 2025. However, the move appears to make sense. The tournaments are aimed at developing the best young talent but also deemed loss-making ventures. And after it hosted the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has the stadiums and infrastructure needed, along with enough hotels to host all the national federations.
MANY wondered if Clive Tyldesley was hanging up his microphone after he tweeted that his commentary on Coventry’s win over Wolves could be the last FA Cup tie he’d call. However, Agenda understands the 69-year-old has no plans to retire. The veteran has a long-term deal to cover Champions League games for US broadcaster CBS.
THERE was a fitting farewell at the Palladium earlier this month to former Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, who died in October aged 78. There were many nods to his rich life as actor, theatre producer and football club supremo. Everton’s iconic anthem, the theme to Z Cars, was played and host Bradley Walsh told a packed house: ‘Bill and I had a lot in common. He sang, I’ve sang. He was in Corrie, I was in Corrie. He loved Everton… I once ate a toffee.’
IN February, we reported Manchester United had seen fit to hack This Is The One — the club’s walk-on anthem — to pieces and called on Ineos to act. Now the Stone Roses’ classic has been restored to its full glory.
PHIL TUFnELL could be on a sticky wicket with the council over a third extension to his Surrey home. The former spin king, 57, has lodged proposals for a bigger kitchen and new en-suite bedroom, complete with dressing room. But he could be stumped as he has already been given permission for a first floor extension. neighbours past and present include EastEnders’ Shane Richie and ex-Fulham star Danny Murphy. A decision is expected next month.
WOLVES have become the latest club to sign up to the Hedgehog Friendly Football League, in which clubs compete to show who is the most friendly towards the creatures. Several top flight and EFL sides are in the group, having pledged to promote protecting hedgehogs in the wild. They will also put campaign stickers on pitch mowers to remind staff to check for hedgehogs before use.
THE obvious question when the EFL signed a record broadcast deal in the US was whether fans could expect matches to move across the Pond. Relevent Sports, who snapped up the rights and have a history of taking foreign clubs to the US, are open to approaches from clubs and would work with them to host matches Stateside. Relevent also have plenty of experience on the content front, so a wave of Wrexham-style documentaries is on the cards.
THE EFL are seeking a new head of media, with Nick Roberts leaving to take up another comms role at the DCMS. Roberts’ switch may not take him entirely out of football, given Government intervention in the ongoing dispute over financial redistribution is looming large.
JOURnALISTS from one of the world’s only dedicated Olympic news websites, insidethegames (ITG), have been banned from Paris 2024 because of concerns over their parent company’s links to Russia. A source said the IOC have asked for ‘explanations of the ownership and control of the holding company’. Agenda understands the IOC have sent several letters to ITG and they have gone unanswered. THREE LIONS supporters’ group EnglandFans FC take on Wandsworth-based Lusitania Brazil FC on Saturday at Amersham — in memory of Sir Bobby Charlton and Pele. Guests will include Tony Woodcock and Arsenal’s Gabriel.