A Sheffield Wednesday fan was left needing hospital treatment after having his ear bitten before Saturday’s match with Millwall.
While South Yorkshire Police failed to respond to multiple requests for comment, it is understood that officers are investigating a seemingly disturbing incident which happened outside Hillsborough shortly before kick-off.
A fight is reported to have broken out on the bridge close to the South Stand at around 2.50pm in front of dozens of shocked witnesses. It is understood that police made two arrests. The visiting side, who are chasing promotion, triumphed 2-1.
Wednesday are helping police with their enquiries. It is thought the home supporter subsequently had stitches to repair the damage and is recovering well.
The shocking incident is believed to have occurred before Sheffield Wednesday faced Millwall
Premier League chiefs in VAR talks
The Premier League is set to ask rulemakers IFAB to make elements of its proposed VAR extension a matter for competitions to decide whether they use. Next Saturday, in Wales, officials from the body are set to vote on a number of additions to the controversial system which would include reviews of second yellow cards and the incorrect awarding of corners. Inside Sport understands clubs were told at last week’s shareholder meeting that while there was little issue with second yellows, the league would push to have the corner proposal introduced on a league-by-league basis. Should they be successful, discussions would then take place between the Premier League and its clubs before such a measure was introduced. The introduction of a variety of measures aimed at clamping down on time-wasting, which include ‘countdown clocks’ for throw-ins and goal-kicks and a 10-second substitute rule, will not meet Premier League opposition.
Government seeks end to dementia scandal
A potential breakthrough in the campaign calling for football to finally tackle its dementia crisis. Inside Sport understands that the government has now summoned the game’s bodies to Westminster as it seeks to put an end to the ongoing scandal that has seen a number of ex-players left abandoned by the game they served with distinction.
Minister for Sport Steph Peacock will hold a roundtable with the Premier League, PFA, FA and EFL execs on February 24 in a move that would appear significant.
This is the first time that the bodies have been summoned to London, with campaigners Football Families For Justice (FFJ) adamant that the current £1m-a-year ‘Football Brain Health Fund’, fails to go anywhere near to providing the levels of assistance needed.
UEFA president set for ANOTHER U-turn?
Only two years ago UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin vowed that he would not stand for re-election in 2027. The Slovenian’s comments came after European football’s governing body controversially changed its rules that would have allowed him to remain in post until 2031, which would represent an astonishing (and not to mention lucrative) 15 years.
At the time, Ceferin said that he had decided six months previously to the rule change – which the FA voted against – not to run again.
However, to the surprise of few, Ceferin told a reporter from Slovenian media at the body’s congress in Brussels last week that – shock, horror – there is still time for him to change his mind.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has hinted he could look to stay in the job beyond the end of his current term
‘Of course, I would never talk about this to the public,’ he told Delo. ‘But I will first talk to my colleagues from the national associations. We’ll see. A lot of people are interested in this. I have to say that out of the 55 associations, at least 50 of them have come to me and said that they want me to run. But in my opinion, there is still time for this final decision.’
Media in Spain and France subsequently reported that Ceferin was ‘seriously considering’ staying on.
An answer will need to arrive before November 4 this year, with elections due next March.
Previous rules had allowed a president to serve three terms in office but the new ruling meant Ceferin’s initial term, when he replaced Michel Platini in 2016 part-way through a four-year cycle amid a scandal, does not count as a full term.
