AHEAD OF THE GAME: Tottenham plan multi-million-pound upgrade of their retractable pitch

Tottenham are planning a multi-million pound upgrade of their retractable pitch just three years after the opening of their £1bn new home.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the only purpose-built NFL ground outside America, featuring a state-of-the-art three-section grass pitch that rolls back to reveal an artificial turf used for NFL games such as Sunday’s clash between New York Giants and Green Bay Packers.

The process will take 48 hours, leaving little margin for error this week as the Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt players will train at the stadium on Tuesday for their Champions League clash the following day.

Spurs have been alerted to technology improvements since the original pitch was installed and are exploring ways to speed up the conversion, giving them more flexibility when hosting other events.

“We are constantly improving our facilities and developing our stadium to maintain our position as the best in the world,” said a club spokesperson. Sports post.

KINGSIZE LUMINAIRES HEADACHE

The Premier League is facing more chaos in the games at the end of the season due to the coronation of King Charles III, which is likely to lead to a large number of postponements as police and stewardship resources are needed elsewhere.

Buckingham Palace earlier this week denied reports that the coronation will take place on June 3, which would clash with the FA Cup final, but a Saturday in May or June is the most likely date that would cause problems for football.

The Premier League is already behind schedule as 14 games are postponed following the Queen’s death and more cancellations would exacerbate match congestion.

There is no room to extend the domestic campaign, which is ending late due to the World Cup, and the season will end with the Champions League final in Istanbul on June 10.

TOON MAKES IT IN ‘BIG SEVEN’

Newcastle’s improved financial strength, a year after its takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is causing trouble for the Premier League.

The club is increasingly siding with the Big Six in meetings, giving them the power to block proposals supported by the other clubs.

Under Premier League rules, 14 votes are needed to make changes, so that a bloc of seven effectively has a permanent veto power.

The changed dynamics within the top league seem particularly important as the Premier League seeks to pass a number of controversial policy and financial changes, most notably the proposal to increase funding for the lower leagues in the so-called New Deal for Football.

While the 20 clubs broadly agree that such a change is necessary to address the threat of government regulation, there is disagreement over how it should be paid, with the major clubs opposing the call to determine each contribution based on its position in the competition.

FOREST SHOOT THEMSELVES IN FOOT

Nottingham Forest continues to charge the cost of failing to agree a shirt sponsorship deal last summer, with no new offers on the table for a quarter of the season.

Sports post has been informed that Forest turned down several offers worth around £5million a year, which industry experts consider a good deal for a newly promoted club, as the owners were adamant they could get at least £10million.

No such deal came about with Forest paying a price for their intransigence.

THREAT TO REDUCE A CUSTOMER FROM KALVIN

Agent Kevin Sharp threatens to sue Stellar Football for breach of contract after losing star client Kalvin Phillips to them last summer.

Sharp alleges Stellar pushed Phillips out of his contract ahead of his £44 million move to Manchester City in July, but Sports post The English midfielder has been told he plans to leave Sharp’s Palm Sports Management in January following the failure of proposed transfers to Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Phillips only signed a contract with Stellar after he returned from England’s Nations League games in June, so the agency is confident of winning any lawsuit.