Beeb not at the races

THE BBC’S botched revamp of their now hopeless sports website, run by Stuart Rowson, may have contributed to the Corporation losing all their horseracing coverage. It didn’t help the Beeb’s cause, according to insiders, that racing doesn’t even merit a place among the main sports at the top of the home page. These are, in order, football, F1, cricket, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, golf and the Olympics. Surely racing, Britain’s second biggest spectator sport, should have more prominence.

disciplinary officer Jeff Blackett, the pivotal figure during the fighting between the Twickenham blazers, is in danger of losing his all-powerful position if a vote at Friday’s council meeting goes against him. The board have recommended the disciplinary process be split between the in-house legal team and an independent judiciary, as suggested by the Slaughter & May governance reform report which would leave Armed Forces judge advocate Blackett without a role. UEFA president Michel Platini is causing upset in Olympic circles three years ahead of his expected membership of the International Olympic Committee. Platini, heir-apparent to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, has made clear his strong support for Turkey to host the European Championship in 2020, even before the May 15 deadline for bidders. And with Istanbul challenging to stage the Olympics that year as well, it’s alleged Platini is encouraging the Turks to concentrate solely on their football ambitions.