Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: FA blazers aren't in the Christmas party spirit
FA councillor Scrooges have voiced their upset at staff holding aChristmas party at Wembley next week when the blazers are under ordersto make significant budget cuts.[LNB]Committee chairmen have received letters from FA supremo LordTriesman outlining that meetings should double up on the day to savecosts and be scheduled at such times as to avoid overnight expenseswhenever possible.[LNB]Saving costs: Lord Triesman[LNB]Yet the combined Wembley and FA workforce will be enjoying a lavishChristmas bash at the national stadium on December 18 which onecouncillor described as 'sticking in the throat after the cutbackswe've been told to make'.[LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: Newmarket Two get the brush-off07/12/09 CHARLES SALE: Cup looking half full for FA accountants06/12/09 CHARLES SALE: David Beckham makes another fine save for 2018 bid04/12/09 EXCLUSIVE: Eriksson ready to walk out on Notts County over cash row03/12/09 Charles Sale: David Davies joins the 2018 World Cup brain drain02/12/09 Charles Sale: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich bankrolls Russia's 2018 World Cup bid01/12/09 CHARLES SALE: Bafokeng is pitch perfect for England boss Fabio Capello 30/11/09 FIFA chief Blatter reveals angry Ireland want to be 33rd team at the World Cup30/11/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The FA National Game board, who represent amateur football, set anexample last month by cancelling their Christmas lunch, but there is nosign of the Professional Game committee nor the FA board forgoing theirfestive fun.[LNB]An FA insider said: 'The FA staff, who work all year round unlikethe councillors, are being rewarded with a party just the same ascompanies[LNB]nationwide and it's being held in-house rather than at an extravagant venue.'[LNB]The FA have good cause to celebrate having secured a £60millionfour-year FA Cup deal with ESPN yesterday as revealed by SportsAgenda which will also help their search for a new sponsor for thecompetition.[LNB]Insurance giants Prudential have shown interest through their Hong Kong office.[LNB] [LNB]Leeds United chairman Ken Bates faces legal costs of around £1.5m after he failed yesterday in a second attempt to overturn a High Court ruling that awarded £50,000 libel damages to former Elland Road director Melvyn Levi over comments made about him by Bates in the match programme. [LNB]And there is more confusion surrounding who owns Leeds following the Cayman Islands-registered Forward Sport Fund whom it's been claimed were the beneficial owners changing their name to FSF Ltd. However, there is no longer any record of FSF Ltd on the Cayman Islands register of companies.[LNB] [LNB]Concern over Rio Ferdinand's myriad off-field interests, at a time when the Manchester United defender has been struggling for form, will only be increased by a high-profile role promoting a £425-a-head charity dinner in Old Billingsgate on December 16.[LNB]The England centre back is also hosting the event, which is at least in a good cause, helping young sports people's aspirations. Rio's involvement is being trumpeted by Riviera Entertainment, who are also hawking around commercial opportunities with John Terry.[LNB] [LNB]Ambitious sports PR business Pitch are gearing up for possibilities around the London 2012 Olympics by appointing feisty former London bid executive Juliet Slot as managing director. [LNB]Pitch are also planning an entry into the insular horseracing world by bringing on board the blue chip duo of former Jockey Club spin doctor John Maxse and Edinburgh University graduate Jake Warren, son of the Queen's racing manager.[LNB] [LNB]Fergie's tease for BeebBBC Sport, who have been snubbed by Sir Alex Ferguson since the corporation's May 2004 documentary about his agent son Jason, shouldn't read too much into the Manchester United manager presenting Ryan Giggs with the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year Award at Carrington this week.[LNB]Fergie has always regarded Sports Personality as separate from the BBC's football coverage and there is no suggestion he will co-operate with Match of the Day next season, even with the new Premier League rules regarding managers being available for interview.[LNB] [LNB]FIFA director of communications Hans Klaus, missing due to illness for the fortnight leading up to the World Cup draw, has quit following 'disagreements on media strategy'. The former Swissair executive had failed to make any impression at FIFA and interim appointment Nicolas Maingot has all the attributes to get the post permanently.[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Ken Bates, Alex Ferguson, John Maxse, John TerryPlaces:London, Leeds, United Kingdom, Elland RoadOrganisations:Jockey Club, Edinburgh University
