Thumbs down to those in Leeds who appear to have helped the Australians during the Headingley Test.
The tourists were said to be concerned about the prospect of substantial roadworks outside the Queens Hotel where they were staying in the city centre.
One Aussie made their feelings known, along with an informal request that work would not start before 9.30am, by which time Pat Cummins, Alex Carey and the rest would have departed for the ground following an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
Those involved were quick to oblige, leaving some to wonder what had happened to Yorkshire’s win-at-all-costs mentality.
‘While the Western Terrace were giving them hell, others were rolling out the red carpet,’ remarked one unimpressed observer.
Australia received an unlikely warm welcome in Leeds for third Ashes Test over the past week
Yorkshire deny supporter slept at Headingley
Yorkshire have denied claims from one punter who claimed to have slept on the Western Terrace on Saturday night to ensure their spot for yesterday’s play.
The supporter was filmed on the iconic stand and claimed to have pulled the stunt but Headingley bosses were quick to insist that was not the case.
They did, however, admit there had been a breach of security and revealed that they were looking into how the prankster managed to get into the ground at 7.15am yesterday amid heightened safety concerns.
Yorkshire denied claims a punter slept on the Western Terrace at Headingley on Saturday
Political rows at Women’s World Cup unlikely
The upcoming Women’s World Cup is unlikely to see any of the rows over player expression that affected the men’s edition in Qatar — thanks to the work of a former Manchester City executive.
Captains will have a choice of armbands during the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, including one that highlights ‘inclusion’ and incorporates rainbow colours, which were off limits in Qatar.
Meanwhile, the flags of indigenous First Nations peoples will be flown proudly in stadiums. Both decisions follow quiet but determined diplomacy from Football Australia chief executive James Johnson.
Sources say the former Manchester City group executive effectively worked FIFA’s corridors of power to ensure the opinions of players were listened to.
The upcoming Women’s World Cup is unlikely to see any of the rows over player expression that affected the men’s edition in Qatar which saw FIFA ban the OneLove armband (pictured)
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Pochettino instantly lifts morale at Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino hit the headlines when a firm he had brought in to provide a barbecue for Chelsea’s staff posted pictures online.
It is safe to say that the affable Argentine has lifted morale at the club’s Cobham HQ. Upon his arrival, Pochettino and his staff ensured they shook the hands of every staff member, before later delivering an impressive address to all as the steaks sizzled.
AGENDA understands Pochettino oversaw an intense first week of fitness work with an emphasis on team building and the atmosphere has improved noticeably.
Mauricio Pochettino hosted a staff BBQ on his first day as Chelsea boss and AGENDA understands the affable Argentinian has immediately lifted spirits at the Blues
BOA left unimpressed at late cancellation
Officials at the British Olympic Association will be seeking answers from the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) after the World Beach Games was cancelled less than a month before it was due to take place on the Indonesian island of Bali.
Confusion reigns as to how the event, run by ANOC, came to be pulled at the eleventh hour, with reports suggesting funding from the Indonesian Government may have been withdrawn, despite a government official stating ‘other reasons’ for the cancellation.
A BOA spokesperson said: ‘We will urgently be seeking answers from ANOC as to how this was allowed to happen.’
New film to chart Wolves’ foray into US soccer
Wolves are set to launch a trailer for a new film charting the club’s entertaining 1967 foray to the USA. In a tale not well known outside the Black Country, the club were involved in a bid to kickstart football stateside after the popularity of the 1966 World Cup.
At the time, the United Soccer Association opted to import whole teams from Europe and South America for the competition’s inaugural season.
The film, produced in partnership with FootballCo and football magazine Mundial, illustrates how young players from Molineux became ‘LA Wolves’ and ended up getting more than they bargained for — partying with The Monkees and playing their part in the so-called Summer of Love. The film is out later this year.
Controversial Kuwaiti official looks to be back in sport
He is back (kind of). Sheik Ahmad of Kuwait, widely regarded as a ‘Kingmaker’ in sports circles, has been out of power for some time following a conviction for forgery in Switzerland.
While Ahmad is appealing against that, there has been an election to replace him as president of the Olympic Council of Asia. As Ahmad could not stand, he put forward his brother Sheik Talal as a candidate, with insiders believing Talal will step aside if Ahmad is cleared in Switzerland.
In the weeks running up to the election, Sheik Ahmad became deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait, which proved to be a game-changer.
Talal won the vote 24-20 but only after allegations of various dark arts to influence voters. Either way, Sheik Ahmad appears to be back in world sport politics — and the International Olympic Committee may well need to strap themselves in for a rocky ride.
Sheik Ahmad of Kuwait appears to be on the verge of returning to sport politics following a previous conviction for forgery in Switzerland saw him briefly head out of power
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