English football bosses to meet government over lack of EFL bailout | Football News
“You never know, they could be now on the cusp of putting a deal together and then we can explore that deal in the committee. Hopefully that will be the case.“But the truth of the matter is that football in this country has for a long time, there’s been a feeling that the governance and the way in which that many of those at the top of the game conduct their business and their approach to fans and to the grassroots of the game hasn’t been right.“The Covid crisis has just brought that into the sharpest of focus, so we’re looking forward to the session, and I would imagine it would be – to coin a current phrase – fairly good box office!” 1:23 The Government has insisted the Premier League must provide financial assistance to the EFL, and has pointed out that such help was one of the conditions for it giving the green light to Project Restart over the summer, when the 2019-20 season resumed behind closed doors.Julian Knight, the Conservative MP for Solihull who chairs the DCMS committee, says he agrees that football must help itself.“It’s a very unedifying sight when you’ve seen other sports coming together in order to find a way through this crisis,” Knight told Sky Sports News.- Advertisement – Mick McCarthy and Jobi McAnuff agree with EFL chairman Rick Parry’s letter to the government asking for financial support 
“Football has just had a transfer window where they’ve spent £1.2 billion, where we have 12-15 EFL clubs in the emergency ward, so to speak, that are in a situation where they could go under.“And having dealt with the aftermath of Bury and seen there the way in which that crushed the community, frankly I’m not really prepared to stand by and at least not do anything about that.“They’ve been given a lot of space, a lot of time. I do know they’re talking now and I would like to think that over the last two weeks while we have set up this meeting that may have focused some minds, let’s hope that it has.- Advertisement – The committee will also take the opportunity to probe the game’s leaders on the Project Big Picture proposals.These first came to light last month, and would have represented the most significant changes to the English football pyramid since the foundation of the Premier League in 1992 if they had been implemented.Parry publicly supported the proposals, which were developed by Liverpool and Manchester United. Measures such as an immediate £250m rescue package for EFL clubs and a 25 per cent share in future Premier League media revenues were welcomed by many, but the plans also sought to concentrate power in the hands of the top-flight’s big six clubs.Project Big Picture was described by the Football Supporters’ Association as “a sugar-coated cyanide pill” while the Secretary of State for DCMS, Oliver Dowden, derided it as a “distraction at best” and urged Parry in a committee hearing to ignore this “latest wheeze” and focus on bailout talks with the Premier League.Clarke’s presence before the committee comes amid questions over his role in Project Big Picture.He told the FA Council last month that he had been involved in early discussions but walked away in the spring when “the principal aim became the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakawayleague mooted as a threat”.A number of reports have since suggested Clarke was much more centrally involved.Knight said: “I’d like to find out the genesis of it, how it came about, who supports it, who doesn’t support it, why do they support it, why don’t they support it. What was the role of the three bodies that are in front of us, and were there any merits to it?“I understand the way it looked like a power grab, but small elements such as the greater distribution of TV revenues down the game, I thought that was a good idea.” Leaders of English football will face MPs next week over the current failure to agree a coronavirus rescue package for the EFL, with Project Big Picture also under scrutiny.Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, EFL chairman Rick Parry and Football Association boss Greg Clarke have all been called before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee next Tuesday.- Advertisement – He added: “It does look to be deeply jarring if you have a situation where you’ve got a deal at the top of the game worth £9 billion and then you have football cubs going under for the equivalent of a week’s wage to Gareth Bale, and I’m not singling out Gareth Bale in that respect.“At this particular time there seems to be something incredibly poorly placed with the game and I don’t wish to put particular blame on one of these institutions. I’m coming to the session with an open mind, I’m really keen to hear what they have to say.“Hopefully they’ll come with a plan, that would be absolutely fantastic. The only thing is it’s just a shame that it’s taking so long for them to come together. Other sports have put together plans in much quicker time.”EFL clubs have been particularly hard-hit by the loss of matchday revenue due to the pandemic, but they rejected an offer of £50m for League One and Two sides from the Premier League made up of grants and loans, saying it “fell some way short” of what was required.The Premier League says the offer remains on the table and is ready to engage with any club in financial crisis.Parry has previously stated that EFL clubs need a rescue package of £250m to account for the losses to revenue from last season and the current campaign.EFL board member Steve Curwood told the PA news agency on Wednesday that a new £30m emergency loan facility from the Premier League for Championship clubs would be examined at a board meeting on Thursday.However, he said that, combined with the earlier offer, it still “barely touched the sides” and as part of the Save Our Clubs campaign it was the Government’s job to step in and provide assistance.Knight said: “If the EFL wants to come in front of the committee and make the argument that the Government and taxpayers – and don’t forget we’re borrowing to the tune of £36 billion every month, which is what we spend on defence every year – if they wish to come and make that argument in front of MPs, good luck to them.” 3:31 
Fleetwood Town chief executive Steve Curwood says only the government can save some EFL clubs from going bust – Advertisement –
The Delhi High Court Tuesday sought Amazon’s response on a plea by Kishore Biyani led Future Retail alleging that the e-commerce major was interfering in its deal with Reliance Retail on the basis of an interim order by a Singapore arbitrator.Justice Mukta Gupta issued summons to Amazon, Future Coupons, and Reliance Retail on the Future Retail suit and asked them to file their written statements within 30 days.- Advertisement – The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), on October 25, passed an interim order in favour of Amazon barring Future Retail from taking any step to dispose of or encumber its assets or issuing any securities to secure any funding from a restricted party.Subsequently, Amazon wrote to market regulator SEBI, stock exchanges, and Competition Commission of India (CCI), urging them to take into consideration the Singapore arbitrator’s interim decision as it is a binding order, FRL told the high court.Future Retail has urged the high court to restrain the US-based e-commerce major from writing to SEBI, CCI and other regulators about SIAC’s order, saying it amounts to interfering with the agreement with Reliance.- Advertisement – The court also said that the issue of maintainability of the suit, raised by Amazon, would be kept open.The order was passed after hearing day-long arguments on behalf of Future Retail, Future Coupons, Reliance, and part arguments by Amazon.The arguments on behalf of Amazon will continue on Wednesday.- Advertisement – Which is the best TV under Rs. 25,000? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below. – Advertisement –
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Posters in reception, lobbies and rooms of the Group’s properties will give users access to the content through a QR code. The system is already available in 293 of the 350 hotels that the company manages internationally, including both of its hotels in the UK (NH London Kensington and nhow London). “Innovation is a priority for NH Hotel Group. – Advertisement – “We believe that the best way to improve our guests’ stay is to offer them a different, agile and simple service, as today’s life requires. “Mobile Guest Service adds to our digital commitment with which we intend to make the final guest experience even more satisfactory. “Furthermore, this platform reinforces the customer’s perception of security, since they are able to interact with all the hotel services using only their own device,” Isidoro Martínez de la Escalera, NH Hotel Group chief marketing officer, highlighted. OlderMilestone Hotel launches new Royal Afternoon Tea Mobile Guest Service, a new digital solution launched by NH Hotel Group, is designed to change the way in which guests interact with the hotels and services. It also aimed to improve the experience and prioritise safety. – Advertisement – NewerAqua Expeditions returns to Amazon sailing in Peru The system that offers guests full control of their hotel stay from any electronic device, whether that is a mobile phone, tablet or laptop.The platform provides practical information about the hotel, access to main services such as room service, spa, gym and restaurant reservations, the option to request extra amenities and the ability to order products from the now virtual minibar. In addition, Mobile Guest Service offers guests useful information about the destination, including tips for visiting tourist hot spots alongside access to the daily international press.- Advertisement – – Advertisement –
Celebrations ran well into the early hours of the morning, with videos posted of the team and coaching staff partying at their hotel.But now, Scotland are in Slovakia where they will play their penultimate Nations League match, live on Sky Sports, knowing they are one win away from promotion to the top league. And after that, they head to Israel. 
Former Scotland boss Alex McLeish says they ‘looked the business’ as they defeated Serbia away from home on penalties to secure their place at Euro 2020 Sunday 15th November 1:30pm – Advertisement – Reflecting on the play-off success, Clarke said his players have important work to do which could go towards earning them a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for this group of players. Thankfully it all came together on Thursday. It’s something we’ve been thinking about and working towards for what seems like over a year.“We came together on the night but now we have to park that one, put that in the cabinet and think about it in April because before then we’re going to have other matches that are really important for us.“The celebrations stopped on the night. They enjoyed themselves – it was a good night but it broke up naturally. Scotland manager Steve Clarke has called on his players to “park” their Euro 2020 celebrations and focus on promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League.The Scots ended their 22 years of hurt on Thursday night with a penalty-shootout win over Serbia in Belgrade to book their place at next year’s tournament.- Advertisement – 8:53 Highlights of the European Championship Qualifying Path C play-off final between Serbia and Scotland 1:21 0:46 1:37 One person who won’t be running about on Sunday is Scotland assistant coach John Carver, who is on crutches after celebrating David Marshall’s penalty save.Clarke said: “Unfortunately for John, his injury is a little more serious – he’s on crutches. But as a member of the coaching staff it’s not so important that John runs down the touchline.“It’s a sore one but I should emphasise he got the injury on the pitch and not when they were doing the conga later on.”The Scotland conga danced and sang ‘David Marshall’ to Whigfield’s ‘Saturday Night’, but it was ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’ that became the song of the qualification party.Having started from a leaked Andy Considine stag do video many years ago, the players were seen jumping around the dressing to the tune by Spanish duo Baccara.Band singer Maria Mendiola revealed she wants to re-record the song with the Scotland team and Clarke said he’ll let someone else decide if it becomes the official Scotland song for the Euros.He added: “I haven’t even thought about it to be honest. We had the celebration and we had a good night after the game and since then I’ve been thinking about team selection for Slovakia.“Something like that can be one for the commercial department. It was a good tune and it was fitting for the boys to use that and we had a good night on the back of two or three good tunes, but I’ll let someone else deal with that.” – Advertisement – 
Kick off 2:00pm While the players may be turning their attention to Slovakia and the Nations League, Clarke understands the fans will still be rejoicing over Thursday night.The squad have seen the images from back home and he hopes the Tartan Army will be able to experience the Euros next summer, even if the format changes from 12 host cities.He said: “From the social media aspect and the fact that media is so readily available now, you get a good feel for how the nation is.“From what I can gather we definitely made them smile, made them happy, which is great. But we’re a long way away from it, which in a way is going to help me get them refocused on the two important games coming up.“Hopefully next summer we are in a better position in terms of controlling the virus and maybe getting on top of it and back to normal life.“But I think wherever it is we can get some spectators in, gets crowds in, get the atmosphere and get a feel of the full occasion that’s the most important thing.“If it’s going to be in one place and supporters can be there then I think that’s a step forward.” Craig Brown, the last person to lead Scotland’s men to a major tournament, thinks the current squad have the experience and quality to get out of the group at Euro 2020 and qualify for consecutive tournaments Scott McTominay cannot wait to face some of his club team-mates when Scotland meet England at next summer’s European Championships “It was a long night and physically and emotionally they were very tired, so they got to sleep. We enjoyed it, we should do after such a long wait.“But we trained this morning – it was a good training session – and we’re ready for the game on Sunday.“We’ve had a great run of results that’s put us in a strong position in the little group that we’re in. The players understand the importance of the next games.“We’re in the Euro 2020 because of the path that Alex McLeish and the players got us to in 2018 – it’s the path that led us to Euro 2020.“As a nation we understand that it’s a very important tournament for us – the Nations League. This next pathway from the Nations League could be to the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and that’s got to be the target as well.”Clarke hopes fans can attend Euro 2020 Scotland will be without the suspended Lyndon Dykes against Slovakia after he picked up a yellow card in their last Nations League game against the Czech Republic.Captain Andy Robertson is an injury doubt and Clarke said to expect a number of changes to his side after a gruelling 120 minutes and penalties on an emotional night in Belgrade.The former Kilmarnock manager said: “I’ve got one or two knocks and niggles. Andy Robertson would be the most doubtful out of the ones that have got a question mark over them for the game. We will give them another 24 hours and see how they are.“Yes, (we will make changes) but the celebrations have nothing to do with it. It was a good celebration, but wasn’t crazy – it wasn’t over the top. It was a physically draining game but emotionally it was a very draining game for the players.“I’ll give them another 24 hours and speak to three or four players who I’ve got a doubt about and hopefully come up with a selection that gets us another three points.“I’m sure there’s a few of them thinking they’ve earned a rest but until I finalise the team selection they’ll not know if they’re getting a rest or not.” 
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There was an issue in Antrim County, but it wasn’t the Dominion software that failed – it was down to a human error, as pointed out by Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.- Advertisement – – Advertisement –
In 2016, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina praised the integrity of the nation’s elections system, criticizing claims by Donald J. Trump that the vote was “rigged.”“Like most Americans, I have confidence in our democracy and our election system,” Mr. Graham said in a statement on Twitter. “If he loses, it will not be because the system is ‘rigged’ but because he failed as a candidate.”- Advertisement – What a difference four years make.Mr. Graham, who has transformed during that time to become one of Mr. Trump’s most loyal allies, now seems determined to reverse the election’s outcome on the president’s behalf. On Friday, he phoned Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state of Georgia and a fellow Republican, wondering about the possibility of a slight tinkering with the state’s elections outcome.What if, Mr. Graham suggested on the call, according to Mr. Raffensperger, he had the power to toss out all of the mail-in votes from counties with high rates of questionable signatures on ballots?
Dec 19, 2007 (CIDRAP News) – Despite recent spikes in H5N1 avian influenza activity in humans and birds, there have been fewer bird outbreaks in fewer countries this year than in 2006, according to a preliminary report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).As of Dec 10, 30 countries had reported H5N1 cases in birds this year, compared with 54 in 2006, the FAO reported. This year five countries have reported their first outbreaks: Bangladesh, Benin, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, and Togo. Except for sporadic outbreaks in wild birds, most of the H5N1 cases this year occurred in domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, and quail.The H5N1 outbreaks seemed to follow a seasonal pattern, in line with evidence that cooler temperatures are more favorable to influenza viruses. The FAO said outbreak numbers in 2007 were high between January and April, declined until September, and then started rising again in November and December.Increased awareness and improved disease surveillance have enabled countries such as India, Romania, Malaysia, and Turkey to detect and control the spread of the H5N1 virus, the FAO reported. However, the disease persists in Asia, Africa, and Europe and poses a risk for countries that have controlled outbreaks in the past and those that have not experienced infections yet, the organization stated.The FAO said Indonesia is still having a large number of H5N1 outbreaks in poultry, which largely reflects a new “participatory disease search” program designed to detect infections in backyard poultry. The program, with support from the FAO, is operating in 162 districts and nine provinces.Among other Asian hot spots for the disease, Vietnam reported H5N1 outbreaks in 22 provinces in May, the FAO reported. It said the disease appears to be endemic in Bangladesh.China had H5N1 outbreaks in Tibet in March, Hunan province in May, and Guangdong province in September, the agency said. In addition, routine surveillance detected the virus in March and April in the southern Chinese provinces of Fujian, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, and Chongqing, the FAO reported. Also, wild bird deaths were reported in Hong Kong but not in mainland China.The only Middle Eastern country reporting an H5N1 outbreak so far this year has been Saudi Arabia, which had its first cases in March, followed by several outbreaks near Riyadh in November.In Africa, four countries have reported H5N1 outbreaks in 2007, and the FAO said the virus is considered endemic in Egypt and possibly in Nigeria. “Several countries in West, Central, South, and North Africa are at risk of becoming infected, and early warning, surveillance, and preventive measures should urgently be taken,” the organization reported.Eight European countries have reported H5N1 outbreaks in 2007, the FAO noted.See also:Dec 2007 FAO H5N1 overviewNov 30 CIDRAP News story “UN: H5N1 responses improving, but threat persists”