There have been reports that England will face potential pitch problems in New England when they take on Ghana at Gillette Stadium on June 23.
The home of the NFL’s Patriots features an artificial surface, which will be replaced for the World Cup. Some have raised concerns over the prospect after Ruben Loftus-Cheek, then of Cheslea, ruptured his Achilles in a 2019 at the same venue during a friendly and was sidelined for more than a year.
Inside Sport, however, understands that the situation this time will be totally different. Six years ago grass was rolled in on top of the artificial turf about three days before Chelsea’s game.
This time, the current pitch is being removed entirely and the replacement will bed in for months before being used initially by the stadium’s other occupants the New England Revolution before Thomas Tuchel’s side get anywhere near it.
There may be a slight delay given the Patriots have defied expectations with a stunning season which will see them potentially play at least one home match in the play-offs. It had been expected that work could start after the Pats’ final regular season match on January 4.
Inside Sport understands there should be no concerns regarding the turf at Gillette Stadium
JEFF SHI’S PARTING GIFT
Wolverhampton Wanderers had a weekend that neatly summed up life at the bottom of the Premier League.
On Friday, the club announced that chairman Jeff Shi had stepped aside from any operational role at Molineux following a decision by owners Fosun, with Nathan Shi (no relation) lined up as interim executive chairman, pending approvals.
By Saturday, however, Jeff Shi was still very much present, at least in print and post. He remained listed in the matchday programme, a victim of the speed of his departure, and club staff arrived to find a Christmas card on their desks signed from ‘Jeff and the Senior Leadership Team’, complete with a £50 Amazon voucher for every employee. An unusual bit of timing, given the message little more than 12 hours earlier that his Wolves duties were over.
Still, with Wolves propping up the table on two points, the festive gesture was warmly received. League points may be scarce, but at least everyone can afford next-day delivery.
Departing Wolves chairman Jeff Shi left Christmas gifts for shocked staff at Molineux
SALFORD COUNCIL PONDER STADIUM DECISION
Following the sad descent of rugby league’s Salford Red Devils into administration, the city’s council is now considering the situation at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Back in 2021, Daily Mail Sport reported how Gary Neville’s Salford City were considering joining fellow tenants, rugby union’s Sale Sharks, at the venue.
The AJ Bell holds more than 12,000 and ambitious City may soon outgrow their 5,000 capacity Peninsula Stadium home.
Last week the League Two side announced a major deal with former Manchester United sponsors AIG, with the US insurance giants outfit now the club’s largest shareholder – and it is clear that they are in a hurry to rise further up the pyramid.
Any move would need to ensure the wellbeing of the Red Devils, with a phoenix club expected to rise from the ashes.
MCILROY BACKS AMORIM
THE jury would appear to remain out on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, but he seems to have a fan in Rory McIlroy. Fresh from adding the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Award to his Masters green jacket, Inside Sport asked the brilliant Northern Irishman if he would take his latest trophy to Old Trafford.
‘Maybe,’ he said, ‘ as long as they stop conceding four goals at home!’ McIlroy, a lifelong Red, added: ‘The last United game I watched was the Europa League final in Bilbao, and I was like: “why did I fly all this way to watch this?” But they’re getting better. There’s a few encouraging signs there, so, you know, there is a, yeah. There’s a little bit of optimism around.’
Rory McIlroy has backed Ruben Amorim to turn things around at Manchester United
PADEL ON THE UP
The Premier Padel Tour will touch down in London for the first time next August as the sport continues its rapid rise in Britain. A venue has yet to be confirmed, but the newly refurbished Olympia in London is understood to be the overwhelming favourite.
The London stop forms part of a multi-year agreement to bring a UK leg of the Premier Padel Tour – designated the highest tier below the sport’s majors – with the backing of the Lawn Tennis Association, and is being staged in partnership with Newcastle United front-of-shirt sponsor Sela, the Saudi live events and entertainment group.
The deal is understood to be the first of many for Sela following the opening of its London office, with the company recently bolstering its international push by hiring industry heavyweight Luke Lloyd Davies, formerly CEO of Sir Elton John’s Rocket Entertainment Group, to help spearhead its global growth.
ALTRINCHAM CHIEF FAILS TO RALLY THE TROOPS
Sometimes, if you cannot say something nice, it is better to say nothing at all. Over, then, to Altrincham chairman Mark Luby, who gave his players an absolute coating on the club’s website in the build up to their derby clash with runaway National League leaders Rochdale on Friday night following an embarrassing FA Trophy exit to Telford United the previous Saturday.
‘I hope that the players have looked at themselves in the mirror and accept those standards are not the ones required to play for the club,’ Luby raged.
‘I expect, come Friday evening, they are ready to show everyone they have not only the ability but the heart and courage to get this club back to where it should be.’ The result? Altrincham 0-3 Rochdale.
