Fury at Wembley Cup clash with 1966 Remembering Bally event as Jimmy Ball criticises the Football Association

  • EE's Wembley Cup kicks off at the same time as the Remembering Bally game 
  • The FA say the Wembley match had been scheduled a long time in advance 
  • Rugby union's old boy network is alive and flourishing at the top of the sport 
  • Shrewsbury want fans to foot the bill to be able to introduce safe standing
  • Hope Powell was at St George's Park on the same day current England manager Mark Sampson was facing the press over alleged racist remarks 

Wembley telecom sponsors EE have caused upset because their annual game at the stadium featuring former stars and YouTube footballers clashes with a charity match.

The Remembering Bally game at Goodison Park on October 7 is to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Everton legend and 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball. The funds will go to charity, including hard-up families of the '66 squad, with the match being organised by Ball's son Jimmy.

EE's Wembley Cup, kicking off at the same time, features David James, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Emile Heskey and Robbie Savage. Many are unhappy that Wembley would rather host a commercial event on that day. 


The Remembering Bally game at Goodison Park on October 7 is to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Everton legend Alan Ball

The Remembering Bally game at Goodison Park on October 7 is to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Everton legend Alan Ball

Jimmy Ball wrote on Twitter about the six big names taking part: 'Shame they'd rather do this than help raise money for real heroes and some great charities.' 

Former Everton and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell tweeted: 'I can't believe they have not prioritised this event. Only one World Cup win ever and neglected. Very poor.'

The FA say the Wembley match had been scheduled a long time in advance.

Ball (pictured bottom second from right) also won the World Cup with England in 1966

Ball (pictured bottom second from right) also won the World Cup with England in 1966

Jimmy Ball wrote on Twitter about the six big names taking part: 'Shame they'd rather do this than help raise money for real heroes and some great charities.'

Jimmy Ball wrote on Twitter about the six big names taking part: 'Shame they'd rather do this than help raise money for real heroes and some great charities.'

Hope Powell, former England women's football manager now coaching Brighton women, happened to be at St George's Park on the same day as her successor Mark Sampson was facing the press over alleged racist remarks. 

But Powell, who is understood not to have the best relationship with Sampson, declined to answer questions about the issue.

 

Rugby Union's old boy network is alive and flourishing at the top of the sport. This allows John Spencer, having pocketed a six-figure salary for two years as British and Lions tour manager for a six-week trip to New Zealand, to move seamlessly on to become the latest RFU president.

Spencer combined marrying fourth wife Amanda at the top of Auckland's Sky Tower during the 2011 World Cup with his International Rugby Board commitments. 

John Spencer (right) pocketed a six-figure salary for two years as British Lions tour manager

John Spencer (right) pocketed a six-figure salary for two years as British Lions tour manager

 

Recently-filed accounts for the Wayne Rooney Foundation reveal the charity's managing director was paid £68,000-a-year — well below the market rate — to organise a testimonial match that raised £1,621,957.

 

Shrews fans foot the bill

Shrewsbury are trying to become the first English club to introduce safe standing via rail seating by asking their fans to pay the cost. An appeal to raise £75,000 through crowd funding has been extended with the total so far at £48,000.

Yet whether the League One club should be relying on supporter generosity is questionable as the latest financial figures show the club has around £2m in the bank having sold land in front of their stadium for a Lidl Supermarket.

Shrewsbury are asking for their supporters to foot the bill to be able to introduce safe standing

Shrewsbury are asking for their supporters to foot the bill to be able to introduce safe standing

The DCMS Sport Select Committee rightly hold to account any sporting body without a diverse board — except themselves.

The latest re-committee consists of a 100 per cent white membership. Chairman Damian Collins recognised the problem, but said his MP colleagues could only vote from the list of candidates interested in joining.

 

Victoria Derbyshire's BBC Radio 5 Live programme has known about allegations that the late Graham Taylor covered up the abuse of young players when he was in charge of Aston Villa since before his funeral. 

But the programme waited until the FA's independent inquiry to use the information, having not wanted to go public because of the sensitive timing for Taylor's family.

 

In their wisdom 5 Live are covering next week's dull world title bout between Joseph Parker and Hughie Fury because of the British interest but ignoring the mega fight-of-the-decade occasion in Las Vegas this weekend between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez.

This is the same Beeb who threw all their resources at the McGregor-Mayweather mis-match.

GGG, holder of most of the world middleweight titles, spoke as both fighters arrive in Vegas

Five Live will cover Joseph Parker Hughie Fury but not Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez