AHEAD OF THE GAME: FA advises the WSL to ban Israel and Palestine flags to mirror the men’s game… while Australia’s FA are under pressure from FIFA to withdraw their 2034 World Cup bid in favour of Saudi Arabia hosting

• The WSL has been instructed to ban Israel and Palestine flags from grounds
• There are security concerns over the flags rather than the ban being political
• Chelsea are trying to reconcile with leading agents after a turbulent summer 

The FA have amended their guidance to clubs in the Women’s Super League by instructing them to ban Israel and Palestine flags from their grounds. 

Eyebrows were raised in the WSL last weekend when the FA appeared to ignore their own guidelines, following the move to ban all flags, shirts and scarves — other than those of the teams involved — for the England men’s games against Australia and Italy at Wembley.

Now the FA have recognised the apparent inconsistency and moved to issue the same guidance to WSL clubs that has been sent to those in the Premier League and EFL. 

The ban on Israel and Palestine flags is due to security concerns rather than a political statement, and is expected to remain in place indefinitely.

The FA have amended their guidance to clubs in the Women’s Super League over flags in grounds

The WSL has been instructed to ban Israel and Palestine flags from their stadiums

BLUES ATTEMPT TO REBUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Chelsea are seeking to build bridges with leading agents following a turbulent summer in which many intermediaries reported frustrations in dealing with the club’s hierarchy. 

The Blues’ recruitment strategy in the close season, as they signed 13 players, and policy of talking to multiple targets for every position left numerous players and their agents feeling unhappy at being overlooked. 

Chelsea are seeking to build bridges with leading agents following a turbulent summer where they signed 13 players including Moises Caicedo (pictured)

CYCLING RIVALS AT OLD TRAFFORD

Erik ten Hag may have to launch a charm offensive if Sir Dave Brailsford is given a senior role at Manchester United, following the impending investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos.

The United manager is close friends with one of the former Team Sky boss’s biggest rivals from cycling, Merijn Zeeman, who runs Dutch team Jumbo-Visma, and has welcomed him to the club’s training sessions. 

Brailsford is sporting director of Ineos and is expected to be given a hands-on role at Old Trafford once Ratcliffe’s proposed £1.3billion investment is ratified.

Man United manager Erik ten Hag may have to launch a charm offensive if Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment is approved

Sir Dave Brailsford who is the sporting director of Ineos is expected to be given a hands-on role at Old Trafford

AUSTRALIA’S CLUB WORLD CUP AMBITIONS 

Australia could be given hosting rights for the 2029 Club World Cup by FIFA in return for stepping aside from the contest to stage the 2034 World Cup in favour of Saudi Arabia. Football Australia have held talks with Indonesia about launching a joint bid for the 2034 tournament, but their would-be partners pulled out this week and gave their public backing to Saudi Arabia. 

Australia have yet to declare their intentions but are coming under pressure to withdraw by FIFA, who would prefer to anoint Saudi Arabia as World Cup hosts without a contest. 

Having staged a record-breaking women’s World Cup this year, Australia remain eager to host other global events, and having the second Club World Cup would be of interest. 

The inaugural edition of the tournament will be in the United States in 2025, with Manchester City and Chelsea set to represent the Premier League as recent Champions League winners. It will then be held every four years.

Source: Read Full Article