EFL chiefs not happy with Wembley and Met Police over play-off finals… plus YouTuber prankster sneaks on to United bus – SPORTS AGENDA
The English Football League (EFL) is frustrated with the inconsistency shown by Wembley Stadium and the Metropolitan Police regarding kick-off times for their competitions this season. Wembley has been hosting the EFL’s five showpiece finals since 2007, but the kick-off times have varied greatly. The Championship play-off final and the Carabao Cup final were allocated 3 pm slots, while the FA Cup semi-final between Manchester City and Chelsea kicked off at 5:15 pm, and the upcoming Champions League final will start at 8 pm. The EFL feels that other competitions are being given preferential treatment with later kick-off times, while their own requests are being ignored. This has led to EFL chief executive Trevor Birch expressing his disappointment and frustration with the situation.
In other news, a security breach occurred at Selhurst Park when a YouTube prankster, Lizwani, managed to sneak onto the Manchester United team bus. The prankster, who has a history of infiltrating awards ceremonies, including the BAFTAs and the FIFA Ballon d’Or, was dressed in a United tracksuit and carrying a designer washbag. He was able to evade security and board the bus, but was quickly spotted by United’s staff and removed. The incident has raised concerns about security and has led to an investigation by Palace officials. The Premier League has also issued an alert to its clubs, warning them to be on the lookout for repeat incidents. This is not the first time Lizwani has targeted the Premier League, having previously shared how to get into a match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and posing outside the ground with then-Spurs winger Erik Lamela.
The world of sports is not just about the games themselves, but also about the logistics and planning that go into making them happen. For example, Team GB has told its athletes that they expect them to travel to the Paris Olympics on land rather than by air, using the Eurostar train. This decision is aimed at reducing Britain’s carbon footprint, as experts say that 13 train journeys are equivalent to one flight. This is a significant step towards making sports more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Additionally, the Mina Cup, a premier youth competition, is being hosted at Norwich City’s training ground, and big clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Chelsea are sending teams to participate. The winners of the competition will qualify for the 2025 Mina Cup in Dubai, which is considered one of the world’s leading youth tournaments.
However, not all sports news is positive. Hull City fans are facing another price hike, with corporate punters being slapped with a 9.3% rise in ticket prices. This comes after last season’s increase of 18.5%, and the news has been met with anger from fans, especially after the sacking of popular manager Liam Rosenior. The price increase is a significant burden on fans, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, Rugby League has had to deal with a number of worrying incidents recently, including fan clashes that have led to banning orders and segregated crowds. This is a concern for the sport, which has long been applauded for its unsegregated crowds and lack of trouble.
In the world of boxing, Tyson Fury’s heavyweight battle with Oleksandr Usyk is set to be broadcast on no fewer than four different channels: DAZN, Amazon, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports. This is the first time that four UK channels will show the same fight, but unfortunately for viewers, there has been no price war, with each channel likely to charge around £25. This is a significant amount of money, especially for fans who are already struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, Chelsea is set to lose another senior figure this summer, with long-serving senior communications man Adrian Phillips leaving the club after a decade of service. Phillips is moving to agency Wasserman, where former Blues boss Graham Potter and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta are clients.
In conclusion, the world of sports is complex and multifaceted, with many different stories and issues emerging every day. From the EFL’s frustration with Wembley Stadium to the security breach at Selhurst Park, and from the Mina Cup to the price hikes at Hull City, there is always something new and interesting happening in the world of sports. Whether it’s the logistics of traveling to the Olympics or the broadcasting of major fights, sports have the power to bring people together and create a sense of community and shared passion. However, they also have the power to create controversy and concern, and it’s up to the fans, players, and officials to navigate these complex issues and work towards creating a better and more sustainable sporting world.
