SPORTS AGENDA PLAYERS’ UNION TO WADE IN ON TOON-SPURS AUSSIE FRIENDLY
THE PFA are likely to get involved following Newcastle and Tottenham’s ludicrous decision to stage an end-of-season friendly in Australia. The pair will meet in Melbourne on May 22, three days after the final round of Premier League matches, with both intending to take all their international stars on a 21,000-mile round trip — even if they have commitments with their countries. England boss Gareth Southgate has already questioned the wisdom of the move and Agenda understands that players’ union the PFA, who have lobbied for a reduction in fixtures on the grounds of player welfare, will be in touch. Some have also wondered how the trip sits with the Premier League’s new environmental sustainability commitment.
EYEBROWS were raised at Liverpool’s training ground when rivals Manchester City’s Under 23s turned up for their match in the first team’s bus — emblazoned with the five trophies they won last season. Some wondered if it was a cheeky attempt by City to emphasise their recent superiority.
SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has mentioned 100,000 as a potential capacity for a new Old Trafford and it would appear Manchester United already have people on the case who can make that work. Stadium designers Populous were brought in by the Glazers to look at plans to refurbish or rebuild the iconic venue and their work has been scrutinised by Ratcliffe’s Ineos people. Populous, who worked on Tottenham’s new home, last week announced they will be designing Morocco’s Grand Stade de Casablanca which will be the largest stadium in world football, with a capacity of 115,000, and a 2030 World Cup host venue.
WHILE England players have taken on reporters at darts at previous major tournaments, there may be a new challenge in Germany. The Three Lions hotel boasts three golf courses and Harry Maguire has suggested installing a golf simulator in the media centre. Reporters would do well to beat Maguire, who plays off four, and even better to see off Harry Kane, who is off plus one.
IT was good to see Kobbie Mainoo speak to the media in the run-up to his England debut. Historically, Manchester United have been reluctant to allow their young stars to face the Press on international duty but the club are being more progressive and believe the 18-year-old is mature beyond his years. The situation contrasts with that of Jude Bellingham, who is yet to sit down with the Press despite making his England debut more than three years ago. There was a suggestion he would ‘break his duck’ ahead of the Brazil game but sadly the sought-after chat failed to materialise.
THE IOC are under pressure to sanction Israel for their actions in Gaza, in the same way they banned Russia from this summer’s Olympics. The IOC are resisting, claiming Russia broke their Olympic Truce by invading Ukraine, but the situation could change if the UN start to lean on them.
WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE could have their hands full when Leeds United host Yorkshire rivals Hull City on Easter Monday. The Bank Holiday clash does not kick-off until 8pm, giving supporters the chance to booze all day, and will be the first time the two sides have met in Leeds since Hull were taken over by Turkish owners. The prospect of Turkey flags in the away end, given that two Leeds fans were stabbed and killed ahead of a UEFA Cup semi-final with Galatasaray in 2000, will no doubt form part of planning this week.
THURSDAY brings the launch of a podcast which will see Sky’s legend of the tunnel Geoff Shreeves interviewing big names from football and beyond on their love of music. For Football, Music and Me, Shreeves sits down with the likes of Gary Neville, David Moyes and Vinnie Jones to talk about the songs that soundtracked their lives. An emotional Andy Cole also features, along with Wolves supporter Beverley Knight and Kasabian’s Leicester City fan Serge Pizzorno. Shreeves, who left Sky last year, has helped raise £8.5million for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins and a portion of the podcast profits will go to the cause.