SPORTS AGENDA: Man United raise eyebrows taking four goalkeepers to Munich, FA’s agent’s exams are embroiled in more chaos… and could London get an NFL team thanks to a Florida prison?
- Questions have been asked after Man United took four goalkeepers to Munich
- Organisation at the Rugby World Cup has left cause for concern among some
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- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
Eyebrows were raised by some at Old Trafford when Erik ten Hag took four goalkeepers to Munich for last week’s Champions League clash with Bayern.
Agenda understands that, with FFP rules biting following shambolic transfer dealings, some non-football staff have been told that they cannot sign off on anything not agreed within pre-planned budgets.
Given that, some wondered if naming four keepers in the squad was prudent given the additional expense of bringing them to Munich.
It is thought the group went for training purposes and still would have done had they not been in the squad.
In the case of Radek Vitek, 19, it was also thought that being involved in the matchday experience would stand him in good stead. Those who played had a recovery session the next day while a separate group — including the extra keepers — had a regular workout on the grass.
Manchester United have raised eyebrows by taking four goalkeepers including Andre Onana (pictured) to Munich this week for their clash against Bayern Munich
FFP rules are being administered more after some dodgey transfer dealing and some non-football staff have been told that they cannot sign off on anything not agreed within pre-planned budgets
Some wondered if naming four keepers in the squad was prudent. Radek Vitek (left), 19, travelled with the side to Munich
Could London get an NFL team thanks to a Florida prison?
Hopes of an NFL franchise in London have had a boost thanks to a Florida prison.
A poll of residents in Jacksonville, home of UK regulars the Jaguars, found more would approve of the city spending money on moving the downtown prison than on renovating the Jags’ EverBank Stadium.
The survey will not have gone unnoticed at Tottenham, where they still dream of housing a team permanently, with the prospect of revenue-generating weekends of Spurs games on Saturday then NFL on Sunday.
The Jags, owned by Fulham’s Shahid Khan, seem ripe for relocation and will play two games in London next month.
Snipers at the Rugby World Cup
Fans at England’s Rugby World Cup stroll over Chile were shocked to spot a balaclava-clad sniper on a gantry at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The presence of what many perceive to be excessive security has been a feature of a tournament fraught with tension.
Media and fans have had bottles of water confiscated, often in sweltering heat, as they have queued to get in.
Many believe that if the water is not tournament sponsor Volvic, it is not permitted. Organisers insist fans can bring their own water but bottles must be under 500ml and have caps removed.
London will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the coming months but there is much speculation that the capital could soon have its own NFL franchise
Questions are being raised over the organisation of the Rugby World Cup with France’s infrastructure not coping with crowds at the tournament
Journalist clashes with security in France
That over-zealous approach was highlighted further on Saturday when a journalist was dragged out of a room as he tried to interview star man Henry Arundell.
The reporter’s crime was seemingly that the chat was in an area that had not yet opened as per the rigid timetable for post-match access.
Despite the presence of an RFU official, the member of staff lost his head and manhandled the scribe.
A complaint is to be lodged with World Rugby and tournament organisers, who say the journalist was politely asked to leave before being grabbed..
Rampant taxi drivers profit amid poor organisation
Organisation has also been an issue, with fans shocked by how chaotic getting to and from games has been.
Much was made of the crush outside the gates in Marseille before England faced Argentina, but other episodes have had less publicity.
At England v Chile there was a dangerous crush to get a tram back into Lille and one woman fainted. The recurring story is of heavy police presence with focus on controlling, not assisting, crowds.
The issue has been compounded by rampant profiteering by taxi drivers (including Uber) charging extortionate rates, a trick repeated by hotels. No wonder there were empty seats for England’s last two games.
Football agents exam shrouded in more chaos
More tales surrounding the shambles that was the second agents’ exam at Birmingham’s NEC last week.
A series of issues, not least a lack of working WiFi, have seen a red-faced FA — looking after the event for FIFA — make arrangements for those affected to resit the test. Some were told to use hotspots on phones, which opened the door for all kinds of shenanigans.
One entrant, wearing air pods, was heard calling someone and reading out the questions. Another took to Zoom for apparent assistance.
Man City Women have sold out their season ticket allocation for the new season within a week
Man City Women sell out season tickets in one week!
Manchester City have sold out of season tickets for their women’s team within a week of them going on sale.
That is a rise of 22 per cent on last season, on the back of England’s run to the World Cup final.
There has also been high demand for individual tickets, with the first home game of the season at the rebranded 7,000-capacity Joie Stadium close to selling out. City also expect to top the 44,000 that turned up last season when they play at the Etihad.
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