INSIDE SPORT: Angry Chelsea seek a payout as Liverpool swoop for top teenage talent, while an unusual problem emerges for Saudi Pro League players
Chelsea are furious after Liverpool poached highly-rated youngster Rio Ngumoha – and a tribunal will be called in to decide how much compensation they will receive.
Inside Sport understands that officials at Stamford Bridge are busy with their Premier League rivals after the 16-year-old forward, who was named player of the tournament when Chelsea Under 16s were crowned champions last year, made the move in September.
The move passed the Premier League’s five-step approval process but has done little to calm those in west London who believe they have lost a generational talent.
Meanwhile, would-be punters at Anfield were left frustrated this weekend after BD Stadia – which promoted itself as ‘the UK’s largest betting operator’ – ceased trading.
Fans at Liverpool’s match with Brighton were informed that there would be no opportunity to place a bet or participate in the LFC Foundation lottery due to the development.
Chelsea are furious after Liverpool sign highly-rated youngster Rio Ngumoha (pictured)
Inside Sport understands officials at Stamford Bridge are fuming at their Premier League rivals after the 16-year-old striker completed a summer move to Anfield
Exeter City’s ridiculous tax proposal
Consider also Exeter City, who appear to have been punished for their own cautious fiscal policy.
The League One club, who consistently punch above their weight, had a sell-on clause of reportedly around 20 percent after their youth star Jay Stansfield left for Premier League Fulham.
That meant that when the forward subsequently signed for expensive Birmingham City for a fee believed to be around £15 million plus add-ons, he received a significant windfall.
This being football, that amount would have to be paid in seven instalments, which are believed to be on a sliding scale and heavily taxed on the back end.
However, because Exeter was making a profit, the taxman charged them corporation tax on the full amount, regardless of any payment plan.
It meant that, at least in the short term, the supporter-owned Devon side were left with a deficit of more than £500,000. For many operating on similar budgets, such a shortfall could prove catastrophic. This is a ridiculous situation that needs to be addressed.
Exeter City are facing a huge tax bill after former star Jay Stansfield (pictured) moved to Birmingham for the summer, believed to cost around £15million plus add-ons
Because Exeter is making a profit, the tax authorities have charged them corporation tax on the full amount they will receive for Stansfield, regardless of whether a payment plan is in place.
Unusual vitamin problem in the Saudi Pro League
An unusual issue has emerged for those looking to ply their trade in the Saudi Pro League – and it has nothing to do with a liquor ban or cultural differences.
Inside Sport has been told that sports scientists from top clubs in the country will have to provide vitamin D supplements to many foreign stars who have arrived in recent times.
While the desert is hardly short on sunshine, the problem is that temperatures, especially around the start of the season in August, are so high that time spent outdoors, away from the comfort of air conditioning, is drastically limited.
Competitions and training often take place in the evening, which means that many people have a deficiency when it comes to ultraviolet radiation.
Ivan Toney moved to the Saudi Pro League this summer, while sports scientists at clubs in the country’s top flight have to provide vitamin D supplements to many foreign stars
Yorkshire cricket on the way to Benidorm
You can take the boy out of Yorkshire, but you can’t take Yorkshire out of the boy. The county’s players celebrated their promotion to the top flight of the County Championship by flying to Benidorm once their final match of the season was over.
A group of fourteen flew into the party capital after arriving in Headingley for the final day of their match with Northants, complete with suitcases, ready for a quick departure.
The Russian bid for the IOC presidency
Don’t write off Umar Kremlev yet, the Russian president of the International Boxing Association, who has been banned by the IOC for alleged corruption and poor governance.
Kremlev, whose press conference on gender-wrangling boxers was one of the low points of the Olympics, is very close to the Kremlin.
And with Russia likely to play a key role in the upcoming IOC presidential elections, we can expect some sort of horse trading between him and some of the seven candidates, including Lord Sebastian Coe.