AHEAD OF THE GAME: Leeds set to become first club to offer players Covid-19 booster... while other sides have a long wait on their hands with some players who have not yet had their second jab
- The vast majority of Marcelo Bielsa's side are eligible to have their booster jab
- Other clubs face a long wait with players not yet having their second jab
- Fabio Paratici was questioned at Juventus over use of certain agents
- Tottenham are planning a pre-season tour in Australia next summer
Leeds are set to become the first club to begin offering their players Covid-19 booster jabs as a result of the success of their initial vaccination drive last summer.
The vast majority of Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team squad are now eligible for boosters after the Government and the NHS updated their booking system to permit third jabs for those who received their second more than three months ago.
The club’s medical department are planning a meeting to discuss logistics with the players next week. Premier League contemporaries Wolves and Brentford expect to begin offering boosters to their players early in the new year.
The majority of Marcelo Bielsa's side are eligible to receive their booster jabs
Marcelo Bielsa's side won't have to wait as as long as other clubs who have players still yet to have their second jab
But many clubs will have to wait far longer, as some of them have significant numbers who have yet to have their second jab.
The Premier League have reacted to the emergence of the more transmissible Omicron variant by asking clubs to pause the recently proposed relaxation of social distancing measures at their stadiums and training grounds.
The message from the executive being that they should proceed with caution.
SPURS DIRECTOR WAS QUESTIONED BY JUVENTUS CHAIRMAN
Fabio Paratici’s extensive use of certain agents was questioned by chairman Andrea Agnelli towards the end of his 11 years at Juventus.
Recent transfer dealings of Paratici are being investigated by the Italian police amid allegations of corruption, but it is likely to be an issue for him at Tottenham.
The club’s new sporting director has leant heavily throughout his career on agents at CAA Base, particularly Frank Trimboli, who is also a trusted confidant of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.
Fabio Paratici was questioned by Andrea Agnelli (left) during his time at Juventus
TOTTENHAM PLANNING AMBITIOUS TOUR
Tottenham are planning an ambitious pre-season tour next summer after two years of being grounded due to Covid travel restrictions. The north London club are in advanced talks about playing several matches in Australia.
The Australian government would need to lift their strict border controls, which were re-imposed nationwide this week, for the trip to be practical. Yet Spurs are eager to go back Down Under having previously visited the country in 2015. West Ham and Crystal Palace could also be in Australia after having twice been forced to cancel planned appearances in the Queensland Champions Cup in the last two summers.
The three-way tournament was also due to feature Brisbane Roar, and the organisers are attempting to revive it.
Tottenham could be set for a summer tour in Australia during next year's pre-season
EFL UNSURE ON TRANSFER LEVY
The EFL are unconvinced by the merits of the proposed 10 per cent transfer levy called for by Tracey Crouch’s fan-led review — an idea which Premier League clubs are determined to quash.
The EFL are determined to secure greater redistribution from the top-flight to their clubs. But there are concerns that a tax on transfer profits will prove too complicated to administer, affect some clubs disproportionately and could potentially destabilise the transfer market.
The EFL’s preferred method of redistribution is for them to take a bigger share of the Premier League’s TV revenue of up to 25 per cent, as well as reforming the parachute payment system.
The EFL is unsure of the 10 per cent transfer levy called for in Tracey Crouch's (right) fan-led review
POLICE CHIEF MOCKED ON SAFE STANDING VIEWS
UK football police chief Mark Roberts was mocked at the Football Supporters Association awards this week due to his views on the imminent introduction of safe standing.
In his speech, FSA chief executive Kevin Miles noted that the pilot scheme — featuring so-called rail seating that will be run by Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and Cardiff next month — had been almost universally welcomed other than by Roberts.
He added that ‘every silver lining needs its cloud’. Roberts has also clashed with fans recently by opposing a trial that will permit fans of League Two clubs to drink alcohol whilst watching games.
Safe standing will be trialled at a number of clubs next month including at Chelsea
