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      FA will tell Uefa they want 45,000 fans at Euro 2020 latter stages in boost for stadium return

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      FA CHIEFS will tell Uefa they want Wembley to hold 45,000 fans for the latter stages of Euro 2020.And that capacity could even be increased towards 60,000 if the vaccine roll-out and Covid scenario in the UK continues to go in the right direction.
      Fans could pour back into Wembley for the latter stages of Euro 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Uefa has ordered all 12 potential hosts for the tournament to confirm their preferred crowd numbers by next Wednesday.
      A number of cities, including Dublin, Munich, Bilbao and Rome are thought to be struggling to get the green light from their regional or national governments to commit to fans in the stadium, even though Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin has made that a precondition.
      A final announcement on venues is expected 48 hours after the deadline, on April 9.
      PM Boris Johnson has already confirmed the Government will be happy for the UK to host more games than the seven set for Wembley if Uefa needs help.
      And the possibility of up to two thirds – and maybe more – of Wembley’s full capacity being available for the four knockout games, including both semis and the final, is a further sign of FA confidence.
      Meanwhile, today’s meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee will formally disband the “30 per cent maximum” crowd figure announced in October for matches in European competitions.
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      That temporary measure, introduced after the successful return of fans at the Super Cup Final, has remained on the Uefa statute book over the winter and spring but will be updated to take current Covid conditions into account.
      A number of test events are planned across England before the planned reopening of venues on May 17.
      A crowd of 4,000 local residents is set to watch one of next month’s FA Cup semi-finals for one pilot.
      As many as 10,000 will be allowed into matches once the restriction is lifted but a 20,000-strong ‘test’ could be green-lit for the FA Cup final.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      The FA were guilty of five years of failure to protect children in game from paedophiles, independent inquiry finds

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      THE Football Association were guilty of five years of failure to protect children in the game from paedophiles and sexual predators.The independent Sheldon Inquiry into historical child sex abuse in football has found those in charge of the national sport did not think it was important enough to rush through desperately needed regulations to safeguard youngsters.
      The FA have been found guilty of failing to protect children in football from paedophiles and the body was also criticised for failing to ban serial abuser Barry Bennell (pictured)
      Bennell is currently serving 34 years in prison for a string of offencesCredit: Rex Features
      And the FA were also criticised for failing to ban two of the most high-profile and serious abusers, Barry Bennell and Bob Higgins, from working in the sport.
      The report says there was an ‘institutional failure’ by the FA to act quickly enough when they were told they needed to put measures in place in 1995 to help prevent minors being abused.
      It took five long years before bosses finally came up with their first comprehensive protocols, something respected QC Sheldon says was not good enough.
      Sheldon wrote: “I have concluded that, following the summer of 1995….the FA should have engaged more deeply with the issue of child protection and should have acted more quickly to bring in comprehensive measures to safeguard children in the game.
      “The FA acted far too slowly to introduce appropriate and sufficient child protection measures, and to ensure that safeguarding was taken sufficiently seriously by those involved in the game.
      “These are significant institutional failings for which there is no excuse.
      During this period (October 1995 to May 2000, when the FA launched its comprehensive child protection programme), the FA did not do enough to keep children safe.”
      The 710-page report was commissioned by the FA in December 2016 in the wake of the revelations made by former football Andy Woodward about his abuse at the hands of serial paedophile Bennell.

      That started a wave former players coming forward to tell how they also suffered at the hands of abusers at clubs across the country, leading to a series of criminal prosecutions.
      The report covered allegations made between 1970-2005, and there are known to be at least 692 survivors and over 240 suspects identified since then.
      Sheldon found that the FA body would have acted quicker had they been publicly shamed in a ‘catastrophic event’ similar to the sport of swimming when top coach Paul Hickson was convicted of rape.
      He said: “Unlike the sport of swimming whose governing body (the ASA) introduced comprehensive child protection arrangements within a short time after the Hickson conviction, the FA did not consider that football had experienced a ‘catastrophic’ incident of abuse which demanded a swift response.
      “XX explained to me that if the FA had experienced a catastrophic incident like the ASA had with Hickson, then the FA would have acted more quickly.”
      Though the FA came in for heavy criticism, there is no evidence to suggest claims some at the top of the game knew of abuse claims but decided to cover them up.
      ‘APPALLING ABUSE’
      The FA’s knowledge of serial paedophile Bennell, serving 34 years in prison for a string of offences against former players, and ex-Southampton youth coach Higgins was also examined.
      Because of the historical nature of the allegations, no evidence could be found to show the FA definitely knew both were abusing youngsters other than claims of hearsay which could not be proven.
      But it was shown that despite concerns about their behaviour neither Bennell or Higgins, convicted on 29 counts of child sexual abuse, were ever banned from the game.
      Sheldon said: “I very much hope that this Report will be read carefully by all persons involved in administering the game of football today, including the FA and the clubs who were associated with perpetrators of abuse.
      “Understanding and acknowledging the appalling abuse suffered by young players in the period covered by the Review is important for its own sake.
      “Survivors deserve to be listened to, and their suffering deserves to be properly recognised.
      “As well as recognising and facing up to what happened in the past, it is also important that this terrible history is not repeated, and that everything possible is done now to safeguard the current and future generations of young players.
      “I hope that this report will make some contribution towards that.”
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      Roy Keane should NOT be involved in football for X-rated challenge on Alf Inge Haaland, says ex-FA chief Bernstein

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      ROY KEANE’S continued involvement in football is ‘appalling,’ according to former FA chief David Bernstein.
      The Irishman, never shy of giving his harsh views on Sky Sports, admitted to deliberately harming ex-Manchester City ace Alf-Inge Haaland during the Manchester derby 20 years ago.

      Roy Keane deliberately set out to hurt Alf-Inge HaalandCredit: Fotosports International

      Roy Keane stoops over Alf-Inge Haaland after his horror tackleCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

      Norwegian ace Haaland, then aged 28, would never play another full 90 minutes again, after being on the end of Keane’s horrific tackle.
      The Manchester United skipper was initially handed a three-match suspension and a measly £5,000 fine.
      But after Keane admitted to the horror challenge being deliberate in his 2002 autobiography, he was slapped with a further five-game ban and £150,000 fine.
      For Bernstein, then chairman of Man City, neither punishment was enough.

      He told The Athletic ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby: “I’ve never forgotten it. From a personal point of view, that was the worst individual thing I’ve been directly involved in, and the worst I’ve ever seen on the pitch.
      “As a human being, it was an awful thing to see. Roy Keane stood over him and basically said, ‘Take that, you b******.’
      “It was done in cold blood. I have never forgiven Keane for that. I think, frankly, it’s dreadful he’s accepted in football the way he is. After doing something like that, I think it’s absolutely appalling.”
      While Haaland played for Leeds in 1997, he accused hot-head Keane of feigning injury following a coming together between the pair.

      Former Man City chief David Bernstein remains appalled to this day by KeaneCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Keane leaves an FA disciplinary hearingCredit: PA:Press Association
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      And in his book, Keane admitted to taking his revenge four years later, writing: “I’d waited long enough. I f***ing hit him hard. The ball was there (I think).
      “Take that you c***. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.”
      While Keane has had no problems getting work since the incident, winning more trophies with United and Celtic before jobs in coaching and broadcasting, Bernstein can’t bear to watch him.
      The 77-year-old added: “Whenever Keane turns up on television, I switch off. I just won’t watch it. I’m appalled that he’s still involved with football. It’s just not right.
      “Things happen, injuries do happen, but to do it deliberately and admit it the way he did, to sell his book, I think is completely beyond the pale.”
      Haaland’s prodigiously talented son Erling has recently been linked with both Manchester clubs, after taking Europe by storm since signing for Borussia Dortmund in January 2020.

      Alf-Inge’s son Erling is now among Europe’s elite strikersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Referee Darren Drysdale facing ban after he’s charged by FA over angry clash with Ipswich’s Alan Judge

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      REF Darren Drysdale faces an FA commission and likely ban – despite making a public apology to Ipswich midfielder Alan Judge.
      Lincolnshire whistler Drysdale, 49, was charged with improper conduct by Wembley disciplinary chiefs less than 24 hours after his angry clash with the Irishman.

      Darren Drysdale is facing a likely FA ban after being charged for clashing with Ipswich Town’s Alan JudgeCredit: © Richard Calver – www.matchdayimages.com

      Drysdale locked heads with Judge and then seemed to square up to him in the latter stages of the Portman Road clash against Northampton.
      The astonishing scenes saw Ipswich boss Paul Lambert demanding an investigation by the EFL and FA.
      SunSport understands that Drysdale’s performance was criticised by players on both sides throughout the game.
      But the referee is said to have flipped and used foul and abusive language when Judge insisted he had been brought down and not dived in a bid to win a spot kick.

      The Ipswich midfielder responded to the episode on Wednesday night and told his club’s website that Drysdale’s reaction did not upset him.
      Judge said: “Referees have a tough job to do and it was heat of the moment stuff that happens in football.
      “The photo makes it look worse than it was and to be honest, the matter was finished with from my end as soon as I walked off the pitch.
      “I wasn’t looking for the referee to apologise; I wasn’t looking for him to be charged. There was never going to be a complaint from me and I made that clear.

      As I said in this 👇. There was no need for an apology. I wasn’t looking for one or looking for any action to be taken. In football as everybody knows stuff happens in the heat of the moment in a game. We all make mistakes and for me that is the end of this https://t.co/ujQsF9lQ4N
      — alan judge (@10judgey) February 17, 2021

      “Like I said, for me – it was finished with straight away.”
      In a statement issued through the ref’s governing body PGMOL, Drysdale said: “I fully understand that it is important for us as referees to maintain our composure throughout the game and always engage with players in a professional manner.
      “I’m sorry that I did not do that and I can only apologise to Alan and Ipswich Town.”
      Aston Villa’s England internationals Tyrone Mings and Jack Grealish suggested the FA should let the issue blow over. 
      Mings Tweeted: “Everyone makes mistakes…..nothing to see here.”
      Grealish added: “Ah come on?! No need to apologise at all! I think it’s brilliant.”
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      But FA beaks had already opened a probe into the incident and Drysdale was charged with a breach of rule E3.
      However, in a twist, the case is being treated as neither “standard” – which would have seen a fixed sanction – nor “non-standard” because of circumstances.
      Instead, a commission will determine the next step if Judge accepts his guilt, as now seems likely, with a short ban of up to three games the anticipated punishment.

      FA rules do not allow a suspension before any hearing but it is expected PGMOL will take him off their officials’ list for this weekend pending the resolution of the case.
      The incident comes with the FA looking to scrap the current “maximum” 10-year ban for violence towards referees and allow life suspensions.
      The FA insists grassroots officials have not been put off by incidents of violence and abuse but is keen to ensure younger referees remain convinced they can progress through to the highest levels of the game.

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      Inside the crazy world of parent-agents demanding their sons are guaranteed minutes – and even new houses

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      A TEENAGER met officials of a Premier League club this season over the offer of a new contract.
      The player’s father was happy for his son to put pen to paper — just as long as they inserted a clause guaranteeing he played a certain number of minutes in each first-team match.

      Kevin De Bruyne is one star doing things differently in negotiations over his new contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      You will not be surprised to learn that stunned club chiefs refused the ludicrous demand.
      Welcome to the weird and wacky world of football which, behind the scenes, is more chaotic than it has ever been.
      Many clubs — and fans — will not be sorry to see the potential demise of some agents.
      But equally, the new normal is proving to be even crazier.

      I’m told that it’s not unheard of for parents to demand a new house for themselves if their 16-year-old makes the first team.
      At the top of the game, football is changing beyond all recognition.
      An increasing number of Prem stars are employing their brothers in advisory or managerial roles.
      These include Dele Alli, Trent Alexander- Arnold, Harry Kane, Callum-Hudson Odoi, Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck.

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      Mason Greenwood is being represented by his father.
      Raheem Sterling has parted with his long-time agent and his affairs are now being handled by lawyers.
      His City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne has brought in a lawyer to assist in new contract negotiations.
      For intelligent men, such as Sterling and De Bruyne, this could work out without too many problems but for other players it could be a risk.
      But going alone with expert advice has its pitfalls. Despite the criticism they attract, agents do have contacts at other clubs if a player needs to find another team.
      Agents also have knowledge of how payment structures, bonus systems and loyalty payments work at football clubs.

      Mason Greenwood has this week agreed a new Manchester United contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Equally, some dodgy agents have taken advantage and given players poor advice and moved them to an unsuitable club.
      Somewhere, there is a middle ground.
      The best solution is for a young player to be helped by a family member while also working with an agent.
      At the moment, the situation will get worse before it improves.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Fans could attend FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals at Wembley with FA hoping to have 27k supporters at Euro 2020 games

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      FANS could be allowed in to watch the two domestic cup finals – in a trial to help ensure supporters for Euro 2020.
      The FA is determined to open up some of the Wembley turnstiles for the seven games due to be played in the stadium during the tournament in June and July.

      Scenes of fans spaced out across Wembley Stadium may be welcomed back in the springCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times

      And that could see up to 10,000 supporters in for the April 29 Carabao Cup final between Manchester City and Spurs and the FA Cup final the following month.
      Both events would be staging posts towards the summer, with the FA hoping to be able to fill 30 per cent of Wembley’s 90,000 capacity by the Euros.
      FA chiefs are part of the Government’s Sports Technology Innovation Group, headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross.
      Discussions over the past year have included concepts such as digital Covid passports for spectators, with football bosses signalling their willingness to act as “guinea pigs” for the safe re-opening of the country.

      And even getting reduced numbers in to Wembley in the spring would be a huge staging post in the right direction.
      Expectations of a lifting of Covid restrictions in the coming weeks will make the possibility of reopening turnstiles more realistic, although there is no expectation of fans being back in Prem grounds before next season.
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      The FA is understood to have told Uefa it hopes to be able to allow in around 27,000 – representing 30 per cent of capacity – for the Euros, although Wembley will still be used to hold matches if no supporters are allowed in.

      That would be part of a gradual easing of crowd restrictions at other sporting events, including Test cricket, Wimbledon and summer horse racing events like the Derby.
      Government approval would be required for all such measures but trials for the two finals would also allow sports governing bodies to judge the ease and efficiency of entry regulations which could be rolled out across other events.

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      Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter chief Jack Dorsey called out by football chiefs to end abuse on social media

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      ENGLISH football has united to demand social media giants stop talking and start acting to root out online abuse.
      In a direct and no punches pulled message to Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, representatives of all areas of the game came together in an open letter to tell the companies that ‘basic human decency’ required intervention.

      Football chiefs have penned a joint letter to social media giants including Facebook’s Mark ZuckerbergCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Twitter boss Jack Dorsey is the other recipient of the letterCredit: Reuters

      Recent weeks have seen players including Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe, Reece James, Romaine Sawyers and Lauren James subjected to vile racist abuse.
      And referee Mike Dean will not work this weekend following online death threats posted to his family.
      The damning letter was signed by FA chief Mark Bullingham, Prem boss Richard Masters, Gordon Taylor, EFL chief exec Trevor Birch, womens’ game leader Kelly Simmons, the LMA’s Richard Bevan, Mike Riley and Sanjay Bhandari of Kick It Out.
      It said: “The language used is debasing, often threatening and illegal.

      “It causes distress to the recipients and the vast majority of people who abhor racism, sexism and discrimination of any kind.
      “We have had many meetings with your executives over the years but the reality is your platforms remain havens for abuse.
      “Your inaction has created the belief in the minds of the anonymous perpetrators that they are beyond reach.”
      Players are understood to be considering a boycott of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as a sign of their growing anger and indignation.

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      And Edleen John, the FA director in charge of equality, diversity and inclusion, explained: “The companies must be able to create an algorithm which filters and blocks this abuse.
      “There must also be a swift takedown of anything they see that could be abusive or deemed abusive.
      “Users need to be verified. We have keyboard warriors sitting at home, typing whatever they want, and nobody is able to trace them or where they are.
      “I don’t believe these social media companies are unable to do that. If there is anybody who can find that information, it’s going to be a massive tech company.
      “We’ve been talking for 18 months. It seems there isn’t that impetus or momentum in the social media companies to address this.
      “It shouldn’t take 18 months to build an algorithm for them to be able to stop some of the stuff that’s happening.”
      ‘THEY’RE NOT READY TO MAKE THAT CHANGE’
      Twitter and Facebook both responded by insisting they were taking the issue seriously, in the wake of Government threats to levy fines of 10 per cent of their global earnings if the abuse continued.
      A Twitter spokesperson said: “There is no room for racist abuse on Twitter and we are resolute in our commitment to ensure the football conversation on our service is safe for fans, players and everyone involved in the game.
      “We strongly condemn this behaviour and will continue to take swift action on the minority that try to undermine the conversation for the majority.”
      Facebook added: “We don’t want hate and racism on our platforms and remove it when we find it.”
      But John added: “The discussions are always around ‘well, you know, we can’t look at things like emojis, because you have to think of context’.
      “If you are talking about a black person receiving a banana or a monkey, I’m not sure any further context or explanation is needed.
      “And if you can build a robot to vacuum your house you must be able to create an AI mechanism that can see words, emojis and pictures and filter them.
      “The only conclusion you can draw is they’re not ready to make that change and they don’t want to because they are more interested in driving people to the platforms.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Premier League, FA and football authorities hold first serious all-party meeting to combat wave of vile online abuse

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      FOOTBALL authorities have held their first serious all-party meeting with social media giants to combat online hate as Anton Ferdinand demanded they be held to account.
      Anti-racism leaders Kick It Out convened the gathering of the game’s senior organisations.

      Kick It Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari has described the ‘culture of impunity’ behind online hateCredit: PA:Press Association

      Former Premier League defender Anton Ferdinand addressed today’s meetingCredit: PA:Press Association

      Facebook and Twitter were invited to the talk alongside the Premier League, PFA, FA, EFL and LMA.
      Former West Ham defender Ferdinand told the meeting: “As footballers we are held accountable for our actions all the time – why aren’t the people that are sending abuse, and the social media platforms, held to account too?
      “I had no escape from being racially abused, whether that was on the streets or social media.
      “The ripple effect the abuse had on me and my family, I wouldn’t want anyone else to experience that.”

      The social media companies agreed to take steps to ensure a zero tolerance policy on online hate and abuse.
      As part of a set of “common principles” the parties confirmed that “discrimination, hate and abuse towards those who play, support or work in the game is totally unacceptable”.
      That includes “real-world consequences” for those who use online platforms to spread abuse with the determination to make perpetrators be “accountable for their actions”.
      Outside bodies involved were UK Football Policing Unit, Women in Football, Crown Prosecution Service, Home Office and Sky, with further meetings to be held every two months.

      Online discriminatory abuse is unacceptable and tackling this issue must be a priority for football and social media companies.
      Richard MastersPremier League Chief Exec

      Kick it Out chairman Sanjay Bhandari said: “Online hate thrives because there is a culture of impunity.
      “People feel free to say what they want because they are confident there will be no consequences. That must change.”
      Prem chief executive Richard Masters added: “Online discriminatory abuse is unacceptable and tackling this issue must be a priority for football and social media companies.
      “Sadly, there are too many instances of footballers and their families receiving horrific discriminatory messages and nobody should have to deal with this.
      “The Premier League welcomes this initiative as a means of persuading social media companies to remove offensive material swiftly and help the Premier League and law enforcement bodies identify perpetrators.”
      Twitter and Facebook appear to recognise their responsibilities.

      Between June and September last year were able to find 95% of the hate speech content and removed it before anyone reported it.
      Jerry NewmanFacebook

      Facebook’s Jerry Newman said: “We don’t want racism or any type of hate speech on Facebook or Instagram.
      “Over the last few years, we’ve tripled the size of our safety and security team and between June and September last year were able to find 95 per cent of the hate speech content and removed it before anyone reported it. We won’t stop there.”
      Katy Minshall of Twitter added: “Racist behaviour has no place on Twitter and we strongly condemn it.
      “We continue to collaborate closely with our partners in football to identify ways to tackle this issue collectively.”

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