sport news SPORTS AGENDA: Brendon McCullum risks betting backlash after Jimmy Floyd ... trends now
Brendon McCullum’s moves since taking over as England coach can hardly be questioned. However, the Kiwi, who has overseen a dramatic upturn in the fortunes of the Test side, may want to think twice about his actions on social media.
McCullum has been promoting an Indian bookmaker ahead of the IPL via a number of tweets and videos promising the best odds with 22Bet India, who have a mammoth 208 followers. It comes after it emerged Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who recently joined
Gareth Southgate’s staff as attacking coach, was to stop providing promotional content for betting firms after he was slated for giving an interview to a gambling company banned from operating in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, passengers on a Ryanair flight from Naples were surprised to see Chelsea legend Hasselbaink, dressed in full England gear, among them. An admin issue meant he could not join the Three Lions’ charter service back from Italy
Brendon McCullum has recently been promoting an Indian bookmaker on his social media
Gambling firms unlikely to disappear from view
While gambling companies could soon be banned from advertising on the front of Premier League shirts, they are unlikely to disappear entirely. It can be revealed that at last week’s meeting, top-flight clubs wanted assurances that other assets, including shirt sleeves and LED boards will be exempt.
Insiders have disclosed that a large number of clubs suggested obtaining cross-party assurances in the event Labour win the next General Election. Another meeting is planned.
Despite a ban set to come in place on gambling shirt sponsors - they are unlikely to disappear entirely from view
Clubs dismayed by social media giants' no-show
EFL clubs were less than impressed with two social media giants after they declined to attend a meeting at Stockley Park last week. Officials from Twitter and Meta (the firm behind Facebook) instead decided to call in remotely to the summit with representatives from across the leagues, despite the matter of online abuse and safeguarding being high on the agenda.
To make matters worse, one of the two was interrupted mid-presentation while the other had an issue with the Teams platform being used. ‘They don’t have the courtesy to come to the meeting and then they can’t use the software,’ said an official from one club. ‘Unbelievable.’
City counting cost of fewer away supporters but increased security
They may have smashed rivals Liverpool 4-1, but Manchester City were left counting the cost. Sportsmail revealed that City had reduced the away allocation for the fixture by 20 per cent (600 tickets), following issues at recent matches between the two.
On advice from safety officials, City had to draft in larger numbers of stewards and police officers. That additional cost coupled with the lack of sales is thought to have totalled about £40,000. Relations between the clubs at the fixture were described as fairly cordial
Manchester City were forced to count the costs after fewer Liverpool supporters were admitted than usuai
It never rains, it pours
It never rains but it pours for Nottingham Forest. On Saturday Steve Cooper’s side, who are in the thick of a relegation battle, blew a 1-0 lead against Wolves and saw three points turn to one.
Players were then stunned when they returned to the dressing rooms to find water gushing from a leak in the roof in the corridor outside. A red bucket was placed on to the floor, along with a blue towel, to make sure no players slipped and made it an even worse
