This week, UEFA were in town, mainly for an event in the European Parliament in support of the Kick Racism out of Football campaign. After discussions with MEPs, UEFA have agreed to take a more vigorous line with clubs where racist incidents arise on or off the pitch, such as the recent racist abuse directed at black England players in Spain or the anti-Roma banners displayed at some recent games in Romania.

I also had meetings with UEFA about their worries about football being used for money-laundering, including money of Russian origin, and also the issue of whether their 'home-grown player rule' for clubs for next year might fall foul of European law. I advised them on how to avoid that. The home-grown player idea is well worthy of support; as is the new idea (over which I claim paternity rights!) of limiting the size of squads that any club can use in a season, which aims to stop "hoarding" of players by top clubs.