AHEAD OF THE GAME: A victory parade for England’s stars could be scuppered if they triumph in Qatar… with transport strikes and Christmas shoppers making arrangements for a national celebration extremely challenging
The prospect of a victory parade for England’s players if they win the World Cup is being threatened by an unlikely combination of transport strikes and Christmas shoppers.
While talks over a parade will not begin unless England beat France to reach the semi-finals, those involved have privately acknowledged that the logistics of arranging a national celebration next week are hugely challenging.
England are due to fly back on Monday December 19 if they reach the final, leaving the following day as the only possible date for a parade, as the clubs want their players back as soon as possible.
England may not get to have a victory parade if they win in Qatar due to transport strikes
Both Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Newcastle have Carabao Cup ties that midweek, while all the Premier League sides return to action on Boxing Day.
In addition to the tight timetable, widespread strike action from railway workers is another complicating factor, as are concerns about road closures in London causing problems for retailers in the build-up to Christmas.
Any parade in London would be organised by the Greater London Authority and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.
The last mass celebration of sports stars in London was a two-mile parade of Team GB’s Olympic medalists’ following the 2012 Games, with England’s Ashes heroes given similar treatment seven years earlier, and a World Cup victory would spark demand for another national party.
BOEHLY STUNNED BY CHELSEA’S LACK OF SPONSORSHIP DEALS
Todd Boehly has been astonished by Chelsea’s limited number of commercial partners since buying the club and will prioritise new sponsorship deals during the next few months.
Chelsea have just 15 commercial partners, which is considerably fewer than their Premier League rivals, with Manchester United leading the way with 48 and Manchester City 42.
Chelsea were not punching their weight financially under Roman Abramovich and a review of the club’s commercial activity has reinforced this conviction.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has made it his priority to increase sponsorship deals at the club
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TV BIDS FLOP
FIFA are struggling to sell TV rights for next year’s Women’s World Cup just six months before it starts in Australia and New Zealand, with the UK one of several leading nations yet to agree a deal.
Sportsmail revealed last summer that ITV had joined the BBC in battling for the rights as a result of the growing interest in the women’s game triggered by England’s Euro glory, but neither broadcaster has yet met FIFA’s asking price.
The world governing body have been dismayed at the derisory level of bids received, with broadcasters in France and Italy offering little more than £100,000 for rights for the entire tournament.
England won the Euros earlier this year, but FIFA are struggling to sell TV rights for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
FIFA FURY OVER NEVILLE ATTACK
Gary Neville’s description of FIFA chief Gianni Infantino as ‘the worst face for football’ following his extraordinary ‘I feel gay’ speech has sparked an official complaint from the governing body to their TV rights partner in the Middle East, BeIN sports.
The broadcaster refused to remove footage of Neville’s comments or apologise, although it did delete a tweet which triggered personal abuse directed at Infantino.
Neville is equally unrepentant and is determined to stand by his pre-tournament pledge to hold FIFA and the Qatari authorities to account.
Gary Neville’s criticism of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino has angered the governing body
REGULATOR BID GATHERS PACE
The Premier League have changed tactics in the battle over the proposed introduction of an independent regulator for football and now want the process to be concluded as quickly as possible.
The new approach stems from a growing awareness that under Rishi Sunak the Government are prepared to introduce regulation, in contrast to Liz Truss’s opposition to the scheme, and a fear that if it is delayed until after the general election a Labour administration would give the regulator far greater powers to control the clubs.
The Premier League’s wish for a speedy resolution seems likely to be granted, with a White Paper expected next month.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s government are prepared to introduce regulation in football
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