INSIDE SPORT: Chelsea finally close in on shirt sponsor with ‘four or five names’ in contention to appear on the front of the kit
More good news on the way for Chelsea.
Inside Sport understands that the club are close to announcing a front of shirt sponsor, with ‘four or five names’ in the hunt, according to sources.
Around three airlines and two tech companies are battling it out.
The West London side, who are defying critics so far this season on the field, took the unusual step of starting the campaign without a sponsor.
In the era of strict financial rules, it was viewed as a bold move.
Officials believed that they could attract bigger sums than were being offered at the time and it would appear as though their actions are about to be rewarded, with performance on the field doing them little harm whatsoever.
Chelsea are finally close to announcing a front of shirt sponsor with several firms in the frame
The West London club took the unusual step of starting the campaign without a sponsor
Officials believed that they could attract bigger sums than were being offered at the time
United raise ticket concerns
Manchester United have contacted the FA to raise concerns after Arsenal failed to provide them with the full allocation for their cup tie at the Emirates next month.
The two Premier League giants meet in the clash of the round on January 12 and, under competition rules, United are entitled to 15 per cent of the stadium’s 60,000 capacity.
That means that around 9,000 tickets should be heading to Manchester. However, Mail Sport understands that – much to United’s frustration – significantly fewer have actually been offered.
Talks have taken place between the rival clubs but the current proposed figure, thought to be short of 8,000, is not acceptable to Old Trafford officials who have now, as a last resort, escalated their case to the FA.
Insiders have disclosed that United feel that the Emirates is a big, modern stadium and that the kick-off for the game has been brought forward to 3pm to help swerve any crowd issues.
However, they have continued to face obstacles and – despite allowing the Gunners time to meet their expectations – have now reluctantly taken their case to the authorities.
United declined to comment but the view within the club is that they feel they have to fight for their fans and for the correct allocation. It is not the first time United have faced issues with allocations for matches in the capital.
In 2022 the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust threatened legal action after a reduced number was offered for a Premier League match at Chelsea over policing concerns. Arsenal and the FA have been contacted for comment.
Manchester United have contacted the FA to raise concerns over their Arsenal ticket allocation
United are entitled to around 9,000 tickets but significantly fewer have actually been offered
IOC’s face brochure ban
The International Olympic Committee proudly boasts that well over half the planet watched the Olympics in Paris this year, but none of those billions can be shown in the IOC Presidential candidates’ manifestos, which are due in this week.
In what would appear to be a slightly bizarre move, the IOC have forbidden candidates from showing any recognisable faces in their documents (including those of family members). Instead, only those of the candidates themselves can feature.
The result may well be a thoroughly dry series of brochures as those in the race attempt to make their case to take one of the leading posts in world sport.
Sebastian Coe will be unable to use any recognisable faces on his IOC candidate manifesto
Portman Pong probe
Ipswich Town have launched an investigation to find out the source of the ‘Portman Pong’. Following their recent home match with Bournemouth, a strange smell descended on the press area, which witnesses described as ‘sulphuric’.
Those in the room denied responsibility for the stench, which was commented upon by Tractor Boys’ boss Kieran McKenna, when he entered to give his post-game reaction. ‘It stinks in here,’ said the manager, before enquiring if a pipe had burst.
Officials hope to get to the bottom of the phantom odour ahead of the room’s next use when Ipswich taken on Newcastle next Saturday.
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna complained of a ‘Portman Pong’ inside the press area
Chaos in non-league
An interesting afternoon down in the Combined Counties Prem North, where Milton United took on Hilltop.
According to the home side’s X account, kick-off in Oxfordshire was delayed by 22 minutes thanks to their opponents turning up without any socks.
The two clubs went in level at the break, but the match was then abandoned thanks to the presence of a spectator who was ‘unwilling to leave the ground’.
The local FA and police are now investigating what happened, with Milton adding that they do not ‘condone any kind of abusive/life threatening language aimed at match officials, committee members or supporters’.
