EFL has got itself in a fine old mess

THE only thing the Checkatrade Trophy has been good for is allowing Rochdale to name terminally ill fiveyear-old fan Josh McCormack (below) on its substitutes’ bench.

It is a wonder the Football League – sorry, the newly-styled EFL – did not fine them.

They have fined several clubs for not fielding “fullstrength” teams in a competition that fields as many players as fans.

Portsmouth and Luton have stumped up £15,000 apiece.

This in a competition which has a mishmash of under-23 teams from the Championship and Premier League.

In other words, if you are a wealthy Premier League or Championship, here’s a competition for your young players.

If you are a struggling League One or Two club, we’ll take money you haven’t got if you dare play YOUR young players.

To call it a farce would be outrageously kind.

Whether it’s the Football League or the EFL, it’s had a shocker.

THE chief executive of the Football Association, Martin Glenn, said Wayne Rooney’s drinking “doesn’t set a great tone”. Maybe. But I’m not sure the FA promoting beer consumption (with their partners, Carlsberg) or gambling (with their partners, Ladbrokes) or chocolate eating (with their partners, Mars) or fizzy drink guzzling (with their partners, Big Cola) sets a “great tone” either. GARETH SOUTHGATE will be interviewed by the Football Association tomorrow. How much do you want? And that will be about it.