There was some head scratching at Championship clubs last week when they received their teamsheet books ahead of the new season.
As Mail Sport revealed, second-tier sides voted to increase the number of substitutes named in matchday squads from seven to nine, while their counterparts in Leagues One and Two remain with seven on the bench.
However, when the paperwork turned up officials were surprised to find only seven spaces to fill in for subs, instead of nine.
The EFL told them it was due to a printing error, leading one official to joke: ‘I wonder if they are going to fine themselves?’
Meanwhile, the EFL have outlined to clubs their stance on taking the knee. Any player who wishes to make the anti-racism gesture will be given the opportunity to do so by the referee.
There was some head scratching at Championship clubs last week when they received their teamsheet books ahead of the new season
Championship clubs will increase their bench size from seven to nine players next season
Everton’s slow stadium build
Pictures taken of Everton’s new stadium two years to the day work started show it remains some way from completion.
The shots, taken by Daily Mail photographer Bruce Adams last Wednesday, illustrate what still appears to be a fairly skeletal structure.
Everton say the 53,000-capacity venue, on the banks of the Mersey, should be open ‘in the final months of 2024’ but there are concerns they may have to remain at Goodison Park for another two seasons.
By comparison, Tottenham’s new home opened three years after the project was signed off in 2016.
Everton’s new stadium appears to be far from complete after two years of building work
IPL franchise eyeing Hundred investment
The IPL’s Punjab Kings have held talks with Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix about potential investment.
The prospect is intriguing given the status of the Hundred, which has split opinion. The competition faces challenges from abroad, not least from the US’s Major League Cricket.
It is understood that officials are keen on securing external funding as they seek to make it a success.
IPL franchise Punjab Kings have held talks with Hundred franchise Birmingham Phoenix over potential investment
England’s Ashes stars woken by fire alarm
England’s cricketers suffered a rude awakening ahead of the final Test when a fire alarm sounded at their team hotel.
Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow were enjoying breakfast when the siren went off at around 8.10am on Wednesday.
They then had to leave immediately, while others emerged from their rooms bleary-eyed. Perhaps in a nod to his love of the sport, Stokes was spotted heading through the lobby with his precious golf clubs over a shoulder, while Bairstow stole a few extra minutes to finish his grub.
It is thought a resident on the fourth floor inadvertently set the smoke alarm off while ironing.
England stars Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes were woken up by a fire alarm in their hotel before the final Ashes Test
Third tier Spanish side set for new docu-series
Spanish third division side CD Castellon may seem an unlikely club for TV’s next fly-on-the-wall series. But the club were bought last year by Canadian Bob Voulgaris, who made his millions betting on NBA basketball, and who intends to transform the club’s fortunes by applying his advanced data techniques.
Voulgaris has enlisted the help of sports industry veteran Robin Taylor and Dave Reddin, who was part of England rugby’s World Cup-winning backroom team in 2003 and latterly a performance guru at the FA.
Castellon missed out on promotion last season, losing the play-off final, but the drama was captured on film by TV production company Little Gem. Industry insiders expect the rights will be hotly contested for a series about the club’s long climb to La Liga.
Lord Coe set for IOC presidency
Lord Coe is a candidate to succeed Thomas Bach as IOC president in 2025.
Coe will no doubt be watching the reaction to the IOC’s three-year suspension of Sheik ‘The Kingmaker’ Ahmad from any Olympic involvement.
This followed his alleged interference in the recent Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) presidential elections while self-suspended after a forgery conviction in Switzerland. The OCA elections saw Ahmad’s brother, Sheik Talal, elected in a last-minute, four-vote swing amid widespread allegations of corruption and government interference.
Well-informed Olympic watchers have said the IOC have taken advantage of the allegations to lock Kuwaiti Sheik Ahmad out as a candidate (or puppet master) in the upcoming IOC presidential election.
Lord Sebastian Coe is a candidate for the International Olympic Committee presidency
Premier League’s US tour hit by storm
A washout in the city of Watergate. On Saturday night representatives from the Premier League sides playing in Washington DC attended a reception at the British Embassy.
However, a storm which felled trees left many — most notably Premier League chief Executive Richard Masters — drenched and saw the gathering abandoned before some had even left their hotels.
Meanwhile, the abysmal weather disrupted Chelsea’s road journey from Philadelphia to Washington, forcing them to cancel a Mauricio Pochettino press conference.
A storm which felled trees left Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters drenched
Spurs hold weekly team drinks to boost morale
There have long been concerns over staff morale at Tottenham Hotspur, with a large number of long-standing stalwarts no longer at the club.
In an attempt to build morale, team drinks are being held on the last Thursday of every month.
Following the indictment of Joe Lewis, the head of the family that owns the club, and his appearance in a New York court on Wednesday, they may have needed a few stiff ones the next night.
Tottenham have been holding weekly drinks to boost moral among staff at the club
Joe Lewis, head of the family that owns the club, appeared in a New York court on Wednesday
BBC comes under fire over swimming coverage
The father of Britain’s star swimmer at the World Aquatics Championships has blasted the BBC for their lack of coverage of his success.
Matt Richards, 20, won gold in the 200metres freestyle in a British one-two ahead of Tom Dean, then went on to win another gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay and a bronze in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
The BBC opted not to televise the World Championships, which were only available to watch on the Eurovision Sports website.
Richards’ dad, Simon, hit out at the broadcaster for failing to give the event any coverage on their flagship evening news programmes. In one of a series of punchy tweets directed at the BBC, Richards said: ‘Absolutely dreadful. Hang your heads in shame.’
The father of British swimmer Matt Richards has criticised the BBC for failing to cover the World Aquatics Championship
Nottingham Forest promote Wendy Taylor
Nottingham Forest have promoted Wendy Taylor, the club’s communications boss, to their board.
The move is in recognition of Taylor’s work on media operations at the City Ground to raise standards to Premier League level following a 23-year absence.
Taylor previously worked at the FA and before that was head of communications at Newcastle.
FIFA fork out on a new office
FIFA have splashed out on a new office in Miami ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. The office is in the same building as US broadcaster HBO.
