Yes - FIFA's rules ban "political" interference in "national association statutes" so I think it is more aimed at the national team.

Those are emergency powers being used to deal with a global pandemic - and even that is proving controversial. I don't see how the government have a say in which clubs are in the playoffs.

What powers do the government have to intervene ?

As pointed out above these proposals will require 14 Premier League clubs to vote in favour. I doubt if that will happen. It appears that this is being driven by Liverpool; interesting to see what the likes of Klopp and Dalglish will say; you'd like to think they will be against it.

Racehorse Ewood Park makes his debut in the 5.20 at Newton Abbot tomorrow.

Or even Stockhausen.

Obviously you are entitled to your opinion but for me in the last three years winning the Cricket World Cup, getting to the final of the Rugby World Cup and the semi-finals of the football World Cup is pretty damn good - we're not going to win everything.

Winning the Cricket World Cup, second in the medals table at the last Olympics, multiple wins in the Tour de France, domination of the heavyweight division etc etc, - I think you are selling UK sportsmen and women a bit short ; I can't think of another time when we have been so successful.

Young men do make mistakes - nobody should be written off in their early 20's.

I've pointed out that Dolan has only made a real mark in the last few weeks so those picking the team will not have had time to form a view. Let's just wait and see.

Given how recent those successes were it's still a bit early to conclude but we've already seen the likes of Sancho and Calvert-Lewin progress. On the point above about Dolan he's played just a small number of league games. To have been selected already would have been a reflection of his reputation at Under 18 level which given that Preston let him go and no Premier League clubs picked him up was probably not that high. Let's give it a few more months before we say it's all wrong that he's not getting England recognition.

England have won both the Under 20 and Under 17 World Cups in the last three years ; I think other countries would love a "huge problem" like that.

Yes, I think you are right. Hoilett in 2012 was the last established player to move on in those circumstances.

Hope you're right.

Underlines the importance of holding on to Mowbray if other clubs come in for him.

Off the top of my head both Birmingham and QPR have sold players for big fees so they should be OK. More particularly if FFP rules are not enforced against clubs who infringe them those clubs who satisfy the rules will be able to go to court to have them enforced.

I doubt if the likes of Norwich, Luton, Wycombe, Coventry will have FFP problems.

To be fair their signings this time around look better than 2 years ago. It does underline how tough it is on promoted sides - especially those promoted via the playoffs - to get competitive in the Premier League.

Sounds to me like a slice of good judgement.

Mowbray was the manager when he was signed. Only those desperate to talk him down seek to deny him credit.

And yet no other manager was able to have the same "slice of luck" with Dolan as Mowbray ? Basically, if every time the manager makes a good call it's written off as luck then you can construct any argument you like. I prefer to give our manager credit.

He knew what was coming.

Hughton tipped for the job.

Hardly "average" - good enough rate of accrual to put us in the playoffs if maintained.

Yes, Callum Wright was in their team. Never been anywhere near first team action - wonder what he's thinking now.