Lineker row offers the BBC a chance to reflect on how it does sport March 16, 2023 National treasuredom isn’t codified. It is a status that creeps up on individuals, usually as they enter their twilight years. It does not reflect universal approbation, but certainly requires dissenters to be in a dwindling minority. Gary Lineker is clearly too divisive a figure to be considered a national treasure just yet, but the past [...]
Women in Football will ‘probably’ write to Culture Secretary over White Paper diversity concerns March 15, 2023 Campaign group Women in Football says it is likely to raise concerns with Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer about the White Paper on football governance. Women in Football director Jane Purdon said the blueprint for an incoming football regulator appeared to have “stripped out all mention of diversity” targets for a sport already lagging behind. “I [...]
School sport reform can be Lionesses’ greatest victory, says Wubben-Moy March 8, 2023 England footballer Lotte Wubben-Moy has hailed the government’s pledge to create equal school sport opportunities for girls as the Lionesses’ “greatest victory”. Wubben-Moy was part of the squad who won the European Championship at Wembley last year and then used the triumph to lead calls for all girls to have access to football at school. [...]
Football regulator WILL have more powers to investigate club owners but WON’T block takeovers linked to Saudi Arabia or Qatar, says sport minister Stuart Andrew February 23, 2023 The incoming independent football regulator will be given wider powers to investigate prospective owners – but will not block takeovers by Saudi Arabia or Qatar. A regulator will have more scope to look into the backgrounds of would-be buyers of English teams, similar to the checks in place in financial services. “We are looking at [...]
Former BBC sports commentator John Motson dies, aged 77 February 23, 2023 John Motson, the former BBC commentator who became one of the most recognisable voices in sports broadcasting, has died aged 77. Known affectionately as “Motty”, he combined an encyclopaedic knowledge of football with a palpable love for the sport that was reflected in his work. Motson, who also became synonymous with his trademark sheepskin coat, [...]
Sport schedule: What’s on, what time is it on and which channel? February 17, 2023 Spring is on our doorstep and the sports schedule continues to fill up with exciting fixtures and events. Here’s what to look forward to this weekend in sport. Rugby Union: Gloucester v Harlequins, Friday Premiership rugby returns after a two-week hiatus as Gloucester look to get back to winning ways against Harlequins. The Cherry and [...]
Lionesses set for record crowds in Arnold Clark Cup as England look to cash in on Euros February 15, 2023 This year’s edition of the Arnold Clark Cup will break attendance records as women’s football cashes in on last year’s Lionesses Euros win. The competition – an invitational hosted by England’s women and this year attended by the Lionesses, South Korea, Italy and Belgium – is expected to see over 20,000 attend the opening double [...]
‘Robin Hood powers’: Here’s what a football regulator WILL and WON’T be able to do, according to reports February 2, 2023 A new independent football regulator will be given powers to step in and resolve the sport’s financial row, according to a report. The regulator will also oversee a more robust owners’ and directors’ test and introduce a licensing system paid for by clubs to ensure they are being run sustainably, The Sun reported. The newspaper [...]
Saudi Arabia set to strengthen Fifa ties with deal to sponsor Women’s World Cup January 31, 2023 Saudi Arabia is set to make further inroads into sport by becoming a sponsor of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup. Visit Saudi, the country’s state-owned tourism arm, is expected to become one of the main commercial partners of the tournament, which takes place in Australian and New Zealand in July and August. Saudi Arabia [...]
English football transfer spending tops £1.7bn in 2022 January 26, 2023 Clubs in England spent three times more than any other country on men’s international transfer business last year, Fifa data has revealed. A total of £1.78 was spent in transfers in 2022, over £1bn more than the second placed side Italy, who spent £543m. A total of 12.5 per cent of the total £5.24bn spent [...]