JOHN CROSS COLUMN: A club medic was on hand to administer a dose to those that wanted it as West Ham do their bit on and off the pitch to keep people fit and healthy this winter
Video Unavailable
West Ham v Manchester United, Match in Pictures
Guests in the West Ham boardroom were not just treated to the customary VIP treatment at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Incredibly, Manchester United executives along with the West Ham hierarchy and other club guests were offered a flu jab before the game.
A club medic was on hand to administer a dose to those that wanted it as West Ham do their bit on and off the pitch to keep people fit and healthy this winter.
West Ham are like many big, responsible employees offering people flu jabs along with Government advice but if only all Premier League clubs could be as successful in getting players to sign up for Covid jabs.
(
Image:
Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
There are still lingering concerns that the Government could insist upon Covid certification at stadiums and clubs were warned at this week’s Prem meeting they would need just seven days’ notice if cases rise sharply through the winter.
That would mean a lateral flow test for fans would not be enough to gain access for fans to gain access to stadiums… but would have far bigger consequences for players.
Clearly, players who have refused the jab – and there remains a significant percentage within the Premier League of all nationalities – would be denied access and therefore could not play.
That is the worst case scenario but is one of the underlying reasons why the Premier League are so keen to get players jabbed.
=========
Gary Lineker was fascinating listening on the BBC’s Media Show but certainly raised a few eyebrows within the TV world when talking about his earnings.
(
Image:
BBC/Pete Dadds)
“I know for a fact there are pundits, pundits alone not presenters, that earn double that I do for doing a lot less than I do,” said Lineker who signed a new five year deal with the BBC in 2020 for £1.36m, having taken a £400,000 pay cut.
There are certainly not many who earn more than Lineker. Maybe Gary Neville does on Sky. But most presenters on other channels earn a fraction of his wage.
============
(
Image:
Getty Images)
Super agent Kia Joorabchian, who has excellent connections at Real Madrid among many other top clubs, may have actually played a valuable role in helping get Martin Odegaard’s move to Arsenal over the line in the summer.
But even after also helping move Willian back to Brazil without Arsenal having to pay up all of his contract, it is hard to imagine Joorabchian doing many more deals at the Emirates in the near future.
============
(
Image:
PA)
One theory doing the rounds in TV land is that DAZN – which is hoping to take over BT Sport – may be preparing to use Sky’s Laura Woods as their future football presenter. That may also explain why she signed a deal to front DAZN’s boxing coverage.
=========
Peter Shilton’s new book Saved on the dangers of gambling has been such a hit that it has sold out and the printers have ordered a reprint.
Last week this column detailed Shilton’s campaign to urge the Government to outlaw betting firms from shirt sponsorship deals in football.
