The Importance of Sport (NEW CONCEPTS)

[Wile E. Coyote]

Can you name any other line of work whereby the employee would not be suspended after the employer was told?

Actually you probably could.

The problem is that if this was the fella who was the club mascot, he would have been suspended but as it wasn't, it was a star player, they decided to keep him playing and then try and negotiate his contract renewal.......

[Mick Harper]

The Saudis have reportedly offered eighty million for the services of Gabriel Martinelli. He is thoroughly surplus to Arsenal's left-wing requirements and they would bite their own arm off to do the deal.

But will Martinelli play ball? No, he would prefer to sit in the Emirates' stand for a coupla seasons. You can't blame him even though you hate him for doing so.

[Mick Harper]

June 2022 Thomas Partey arrested for four rapes and one sexual assault
June 2025 Thomas Partey's contract with Arsenal ends
June 2025 Thomas Partey charged with the offences by the Crown Prosecution Service

Yes, I know what you're thinking. Keir Starmer is
(a) the British Prime Minister
(b) the ex-head of the Crown Prosecution Service
(c) a rabid Arsenal supporter

Grossly irrelevant. The CPS appreciated that Partey could and probably would leave British jurisdiction when his contract ended, but not before.

Oh, I see, you think Arsenal should have suspended him in 2022. True, they might have done, but if the CPS had decided not to press charges (or if Partey were to be found not guilty at trial) they would have been liable for tens of millions of pounds in unpaid wages and associated damages.

Yes, they probably should have.

[Mick Harper]

We're in the final now
We're in the final now
Ee-aye-addio
We're in the final now.

By 'we' I mean Chelsea in the World Club Championship and irrespective of whether they prove to be the best team on the planet or merely the second best, they will certainly need watching out for in the Premier League next season. If you're Tottenham or somesuch.