SUPPORT FOR SNUS BAN FROM TOP LAWYER

THE European Union ban on snus, the tobacco pouches Sportsmail revealed to be sweeping through English football, is lawful according to an attorney general. Snus is legal in Sweden but has been banned in England and across the EU since 1992. An appeal by manufacturers is with the European Court of Justice. In a recommendation, attorney general Henrik Saugmandsgaard Oe says the ban is lawful. CHELSEA striker Alvaro Morata has blamed a back injury in December for ruining his first season. ‘Everything was good until I had the problems with my back,’ he said. ‘I played with a lot of pain. It probably would have been better if I stopped but I wanted to play for the club and the fans.’ WEST BROM have appointed Italian Giuliano Terraneo as a technical consultant as they prepare for their likely relegation from the Premier League. Terraneo has joined on a six-month deal and will play a role in hiring Albion’s replacement for axed boss Alan Pardew. FIFA have been asked to expand the World Cup to 48 teams for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. FIFA, who gained approval last year to increase the number of teams from 32 to 48 for the 2026 tournament, received the request from the South American governing body. Increasing the number of games from 64 to 80 would pose additional logistical challenges for Qatar. It is already operating on a tight 28-day schedule.