Why Premier League team news leaks could be a thing of the past… while Gary Lineker is set to be dragged into a BBC probe – SPORTS AGENDA

Team news leaks could soon be a thing of the past with the Premier League proposing to lift the traditional pre-game embargo.

Team sheets will be made available to broadcasters and clubs 75 minutes before kick-off and 15 minutes before they are made public, so that broadcasters and club social media teams can prepare images.

But officials are proposing that lineups now be made public from 75 minutes onwards.

LINEKER DRAWED IN BBC PROBE

Gary Lineker is to be taken to the employment tribunal over a BBC journalist who was sacked for abusing social media.

In October 2021, Agenda noted that popular Leicester City reporter Ian Stringer had not been on air for several weeks.

Now it can be revealed that Radio Leicester bosses have launched an investigation into Stringer.

Stringer, who ran a series of marathons for charity, was accused of accepting items such as running shoes, sunglasses and a watch and tweeting his thanks to the companies involved, which officials said was a violation of policy.

Former Foxes striker Lineker is said to have raised his concerns to director general Tim Davie, who noted the dismissal appeared harsh. The procedure starts next Monday.

Stringer is claiming unfair dismissal and also claims the BBC failed to protect a whistleblower.

THE NAME PETER…

Dame Judi Dench will have a runner at Aintree on Friday when Outlaw Peter lines up for the first race on day two of the Randox Grand National Festival.

The actress is not the only high-profile owner of the eight-year-old gelding, saddled by champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has formed a partnership with Sir Alex Ferguson and Sale Sharks co-owner Ged Mason. The trio – along with co-owners the Stewart family – are hoping the rookie fighter can beat his current odds of 33-1.

TOON’S CHARITY KIT

At Newcastle’s home match against Tottenham on Saturday, the Toon players will wear a charity kit after sponsor Sela ‘donated’ their shirt sponsorship.

Agenda understands that representatives from Europe’s biggest leagues will attend the match to see the first ever demonstration of a – as yet undisclosed – technology linked to the sponsor’s charity initiative.

TOUTS’ PRICE CAP BOOST

Ahead of the expected general election this autumn, the Labor Party has proposed restricting fans’ ability to resell spare sports tickets at a profit of more than 10 percent. It is clear that Keir Starmer’s policymakers have not read any independent reports on the subject, which warn that price caps are giving a major boost to the black market.

They predict that fans looking to make money will be forced into dark alleys and unregulated message boards like Gumtree to sell to the highest bidder, rather than regulated ticketing websites that must guarantee consumer protection to operate legally in Britain.

An increase in the number of counterfeit tickets sold as a result would pose significant operational problems for sports venues.

NIKE SAY NO

Paralympic long jumper Stef Reid made a valid point in a conversation with Nike that she shared on social media. Friends sent Reid photos of mannequins in Nike stores with a running blade on one foot and a trainer on the other.

She contacted the American giants and asked if she could buy one shoe because she only has one foot. Unfortunately, she was told this couldn’t be done and was instead given a 15 percent discount on the £250 price.

IPSWICH GOES EXTRA MILES

Much attention has been paid to the breaks in the playing clubs to help Muslim players break their fast during Ramadan.

Ipswich Town went even further last week by ensuring food was set aside and brought out after sunset for those covering matches at Portman Road and celebrating the holy month. Prayer rooms were also offered.

RUBIALES IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The situation with former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales – who is under investigation over corruption allegations over a deal with Saudi Arabia to host the Spanish Super Cup – could cause unrest across Europe.

Rubiales, who was forced to resign after his unsolicited kiss during last year’s Women’s World Cup final, denies that the decision to move the four-team tournament was motivated by his own business investments and also says the renovation allegations of the La Cartuja stadium in Seville are unfounded. .

Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim that UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin offered to help Rubiales after his resignation. According to Okdiario, Rubiales, Ceferin’s vice-president at UEFA, asked for €400,000.

KENYON’S F1 ROLE

Peter Kenyon is back in the sport. He is believed to be in a commercial advisory role with the Williams F1 team.