Party’s over for UEFA

THERE are an increasing number of clubs who believe that in the age of UEFA’s financial fair play the opulent parties for a vast guest list in some of Monaco’s glitziest venues during the lavish Champions League draw shindig is no longer a comfortable fit. And with UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino among those concerned, there is a strong possibility that UEFA will relocate their festivities to a less ostentatious location more befitting UEFA’s close scrutiny on their clubs’ spending.

THERE is a wish among the powerbrokers at UEFA and the Home Nations that David Gill, the FA vice-chairman, agrees to be put forward for election to the British vice-presidency seat on the FIFA ExCo being vacated by Northern Ireland’s Jim Boyce next year. Gill, the former Manchester United chief executive, remains undecided because he does not want to work with a Sepp Blatter FIFA regime. But if he does become the British representative in Zurich, Gill will have to start co-operating with the media. While FA chairman Greg Dyke was having a light-hearted conversation with a few off-duty journalists at a relaxed UEFA barbecue in Monaco, Gill took the long route around the edge of the hotel garden to ensure he was not confronted by the media. Poor show for a football politician.