FA TO CONTINUE WEMBLEY FLAG BAN FOR BRAZIL SHOWDOWN

the Fa will continue to enforce their ban on bringing national flags to wembley other than those of the competing teams, in the midst of the criticism they have received for allowing Nike to alter the st George’s cross on england’s new home kit. Police and stewards have been instructed to confiscate any flags or symbols that represent countries other than england or Brazil at wembley on saturday evening. the ban was introduced before england’s game against australia last October following the hamas terrorist attacks and the resultant escalation of violence in Gaza, with the Fa conscious of the need to reduce potential flashpoints between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups. the Premier league and EFL introduced similar bans, although it has not been enforced as stringently given many visiting fans from overseas often bring flags and symbols representing their own country to matches. the england national flag is no longer on the home shirt following Nike’s ‘playful update’ on the new shirt released this week.

EMMA HAYES is standing to replace Howard Wilkinson as chair of the League Managers Association in what would be an historic move for the organisation. The Chelsea manager faces competition from fellow trailblazer and former England coach Hope Powell, along with ex-Premier League mangers Martin O’Neill and Alan Pardew. Port Vale manager Darren Moore and newly-appointed Birmingham interim boss Gary Rowett are also on the ballot paper that has been sent to all 680 LMA members, as are former EFL managers Graham Westley and Chris Turner.