It was interesting to see Sir Alex Ferguson sitting next to controversial Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer at Wembley on Saturday, with former chief executive David Gill on the Scot’s other side.
Some have wondered whether the move was a PR stunt by the American, with both men having had little involvement on decision-making in recent times, or perhaps an attempt at human shielding — particularly given Ferguson’s standing among United fans.
Regardless, there was a noticeable lack of anti-Glazer chanting at the match, which may well embolden Glazer and his equally unpopular brother Joel to retain a stake in the club, once the current takeover saga has finally concluded.
That said, a tepid performance in a flattering 2-1 loss to their streets-ahead, Treble-chasing neighbours will not have gone down well among the fed-up United faithful.
Unpopular Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer was seated next to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson for Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley
Glazer shakes hands with United manager Erik ten Hag after their 2-1 loss to Manchester City
Chris Sutton is set to leave BT Sport over the summer and become a pundit for Sky Sports
Blow for BT Sport as Sutton heads to Sky
In the latest blow for BT Sport, rival broadcaster Sky Sports are are set to swoop for Chris Sutton.
The former Celtic, Norwich and Blackburn striker is expected to move broadcasters in time for the new season.
Mail Sport columnist Sutton will continue to work for BBC Radio 5 Live and is likely to cover Scottish and English football for Sky, in what is a considerable coup for the station and a loss for BT Sport, soon to be rebranded TNT Sport following their merger with Warner Bros Discovery.
Moyes suit mix-up
Ahead of their big day in Europe, West Ham boss David Moyes was asked if he would like new suits for his playing squad.
The Scot was subsequently provided with three designs for the Europa Conference League Final in Prague, including one option from the clothing label owned by former player Robert Snodgrass.
According to insiders, Moyes was surprised to see a number of formal suits on offer and was under the impression that the intention had been to provide new track suits.
After discussions, Hammers players will be in new, Umbro leisurewear for the grand occasion.
West Ham manager David Moyes got the wrong end of the stick about their cup final suits
West Brom CEO fear
Ron Gourlay’s departure as CEO at West Bromwich Albion has left fans of the crisis club concerned about who might replace the former Chelsea chief.
Fears are growing that Gourlay’s predecessor, Xu Ke (known as Ken), could return, as he remains the sole director of the club’s holding company.
Ken oversaw the calamitous appointment of Valerien Ismael from Barnsley, as well as a number of poorly judged contract negotiations.
He is also the sole representative of controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai, who has not been seen at the club for over a year.
Wrexham target ANOTHER promotion
Wrexham’s Hollywood owners are thought to be expecting a promotion sequel following last season’s rise from the National League.
Sources at the revitalised North Wales club, now owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, say their wage bill will be almost double that of most of their rivals.
Meanwhile, Reynolds is said to be slightly annoyed that he will miss the start of the season thanks to commitments on the latest Deadpool movie, which comes out in November.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are targeting another promotion for Wrexham next year
England’s Lord’s stroll
Runners and walkers in Hyde Park raised eyebrows last week when they spotted around 10 of England’s squad and management who decided to stroll from their base in Kensington to Lord’s.
Perhaps underlining the relaxed outlook of the group in the wake of Bazball, coach Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and others made the low-key trek, which takes around an hour at a leisurely pace, before putting Ireland to the sword in a pre-Ashes tune up – another stroll which finished within three days.
Spurs jeers
It is to be hoped that Tottenham target Ange Postecoglou gets a better reception than his potential new employers got at the recent Football Business Awards.
Some at the event, held at The Brewery in London, harshly booed Spurs when their community department was announced as one of the nominees for an award.
Talks are due early this week between Tottenham and the no-nonsense Australian, who worked wonders at Celtic Park and who would appear to be a perfect fit for a club in dire need of direction and a morale boost.
Tottenham will make a formal approach for Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou this week
Equality in the pool
It is not often that gender equity is achieved in a sport through the introduction of men to a team, but in the case of artistic swimming that is exactly what has happened last week with the arrival of Team GB’s first male artistic swimmer.
The British Olympic Association announced 178 athletes for the upcoming European Games in the Polish city of Krakow, including Ranujo Tomblin, who will become the first male to represent Team GB at what was previously known as synchronised swimming.
Russian routes to Paris shut off
Of the 7,000 competitors at the European Games, Russia and Belarus athletes will be noticeable by their absence.
Krakow remains home to hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians escaping the war wages by Russian aggressors, and on that basis it was never feasible for Russian inclusion to be considered.
With the European Games offering significant direct qualification opportunities for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the hope is that the Russian absence continues to extinguish their opportunities to appear at the showpiece event next year.
Exodus fears in Lausanne
The news that the powerful World Aquatics governing body is likely to vacate its sumptuous chateau overlooking Lake Geneva to set up its HQ in Budapest next to a new elite training centre, is sending shockwaves around the wealthy Olympic capital.
The local authority in Lausanne, Canton de Vaud, fear that it could lead to an exodus of others amongst the many sports organisations based there.
Ironically, one thing that could accelerate this is the recent move by the Swiss government to clamp down much harder on evidence of corruption and financial mismanagement in International Federations and the like.
Could fans own a Premier League team?
It was a weekend of elite events in the British sporting calendar with the Epsom Derby closely followed by the FA Cup Final.
Most fans watching on though can only dream of ever owning a Derby calibre horse or rubbing shoulders with the likes of suitors Sheikh Jassim, Sir Jim Ratcliffe or the Glazers as a co-owner of Man Utd.
But that could all soon change if one US-based company gets its way.
Experiential Squared, having successfully raised several million dollars last week from corporate investors, are expanding their fractional shares ownership business.
9/2 Auguste Rodin took over outsider King Of Steel on final straight to win the Epsom Derby
They currently operate MyRacehorse in the UK, US and Australia – an online app that gives members paying £20 and upwards for a small percentage share, a chance to experience the thrill of winning the world’s biggest races.
The company has saddled the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in recent years and unlocked experiences for fans that are normally the preserve of only the richest owners in the sport.
Founder Michael Behrens is now eyeing up a move to purchase a NASCAR team.
And sources close to the company say buying into – and then offering fractional shares – in a Premier League football club could just be months away from becoming a reality, something which could transform how fans and clubs engage with one another.
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