Clubs must press ahead with axing Covid restrictions

He’s got his ear to the ground and his finger on the pulse

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are finally relaxing their rules over media access after 20 months of virtual press conferences.

They sent out an email to all clubs on Monday evening advising them they can now hold in-person pre-match press conferences.

Pitchside mixed zones and media lounges will also be reopened.

Tottenham are among the first to initiate a hybrid system of some in-person journalists and others via Zoom, with other clubs expected to follow suit next week.

Effectively there has been a media lockdown since football first shut down in March 2020 due to the pandemic.

The Premier League have been cautious, but it is hard to justify when players and managers can mix freely outside of stadiums and training grounds.

Villa and Norwich have both unveiled new managers this week and it was so much better to hear from Steven Gerrard and Dean Smith (being filmed, above) in person.

However, the switch back to in-person press conferences could mean that numbers will be cut as remote access has been a godsend to a few.

Irish radio broadcaster Jim Conlan has amused with off-the-wall questions, including asking Wayne Rooney for his favourite moment in Only Fools and Horses.

Admirably, Rooney came up with an answer – Marlene’s boob job.

■ THERE is a hope that a ban on betting shirt advertising will be announced before Christmas after a lengthy Government review.

That will surely hit the football industry hard together with a review on betting promotions and markets.

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are furious over chief executive Richard Masters’ failure to address the controversial Newcastle takeover issue.

Chairman Gary Hoffman was forced to resign and several influential club executives believe Masters (left) has gone into hiding.

It does seem remarkable he has not spoken.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham would not have hidden away and nor would Masters’ predecessor Richard Scudamore.

FORMER Arsenal Invincible Lauren has been given a new role by FIFA as technical expert for talent development.

He will link up with ex-Gunners boss

Arsene Wenger and the ex-Cameroon star (right) will be asked to enhance international football standards within.

It’s also been interesting to see Wenger sounding out players in his quest to push through proposals for a new biennial

World Cup and global football calendar.