Premier League clubs are taking steps to stop their players hitting the wrong note.
Clubs are using filter settings and software to block songs being played which feature offensive words and explicit content. Players regularly use their own playlists on streaming services like Spotify or their own playlists which are pumped out in dressing rooms and gyms at clubs up and down the country.
But several clubs have been concerned about the level of swearing, offensive words and also abusive messages about women which is why some have decided to take action. The biggest worry was when players were pumping out songs at training grounds or gyms when youngsters, academy players or women’s teams could hear and take offence.
They would never be able to stop players from choosing their own music in their own time and rules might be different in dressing rooms at stadiums. But speaker systems and streaming apps do allow offensive music to be blocked and, at a time when clubs have never been more socially aware, they are more conscious than ever.
Tottenham buy stake in app
Tottenham have taken the unprecedented step of buying a stake in a new training app.
The club has invested in Grow Football after it was trialled at Tottenham’s state-of-the-art training ground. It has been developed by start up technology firm LV8 Sport and uses unique tracking software together with smartphones to monitor training drills and skill sessions.
Spurs Academy Manager Dean Rastrick, said: “Our academy players and coaches have worked closely with the team at Grow Football throughout the app's development. That commitment and belief in this app has only been strengthened by the Club becoming shareholders in Grow Football.”
Neville's World Cup role
Gary Neville will be part of beIN Sports’ 40-strong line-up of talent for the World Cup which will be announced in full next Tuesday.
TV pundit turned campaigner Neville is one of the best on the box but has already defended himself against accusations of being a hypocrite in taking such a well-paid role by insisting he will highlight the rights of migrant workers while in Qatar. The TV station also points to Amnesty International urging people not to boycott the tournament but to go to the country and highlight the issues facing migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.
Neville is certain to be one of - if not the highest - the best-paid TV pundits at the World Cup with insiders suggesting that he will be paid £500,000 for ten shows. However, beIN Sports sources insist it will not be half that amount.
Either way, Neville - who will also work for ITV at the tournament - is always willing to face controversy head-on. And this latest move will certainly attract more headlines as he has been very outspoken in the past, calling the workers’ accommodation and conditions “staggering.”
Arsenal staff miss North London derby for colleague's wedding
Arsenal enjoyed a memorable North London derby win over Tottenham last Saturday.
But there were a few long-serving staff members and execs missing because a much-loved employee had unwittingly organised a family wedding that day.
It just goes to show not even clubs can organise fixtures to suit themselves especially when weddings are often planned more than a year in advance.
Postecoglou eying up Premier League jobs
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou might have his eyes on a managerial role in England after doing such an impressive job north of the border.
Postecoglou is getting mentions amid potential openings at various English clubs and whether he could be tempted after suggestions he might have taken Celtic as far as he can.
Potter not ready for England
Graham Potter was the obvious choice if England do make a change after the World Cup.
But Potter has now gone to Chelsea and the feeling is that he might have felt he was not ready for England even if he had still been at Brighton.
Experienced press officers get the boot
Incredibly five of the six Premier League clubs involved in the European Super League clubs have seen press officers or directors of communications leave in the past 18 months.
It is probably fair to say all were against it, all suffered in the backlash and more than 60 years’ combined experience has been lost along the way.
