Foul play over rights at FIFA

Mickey Ambrose nearly choked on his sandwich when he saw the latest news from football’s international regulator greatest players have been overhead kicks, from Pele to Wayne Rooney and probably the greatest overhead kick of all time by Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid in Turin, indeed the goal was so spectacular, the entire stadium rose in a standing ovation. its history on 12 March.

Thursday was a normal working day for me, attending meetings and rushing to grab a sandwich for lunch. Then as I flicked through the news pages on my phone I saw something that stopped me in my tracks.

There was FIFA president Gianni Infantino, pictured, announcing to the world that Saudi Arabia would host the World Club Championship in December this year.

The death penalty in Saudi Arabia is not confined to murder or drug offences as in many parts of the world, beheadings are also known to be handed down for blasphemy, treason (which includes criticising the Royal family), witchcraft and sorcery. There has also been the execution of numerous men for homosexuality.

The true number of how many people are facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia is unknown because the authorities keep capital trials and death row shrouded in secrecy.

Saudi Arabia’s judicial system – the legal system and judgements made in a court of law – is known for being unjust. Legal decisions, especially around the death penalty, are taken behind closed doors, court documents are forbidden from being published, charges are changed, and court sessions are indefinitely postponed, to name a few examples.

But come on lads, think! When young and fit we all know the sensation of sailing through the air and the almighty power we can generate in spectacular overhead kicks, but unless you consider the safety of your fellow players somebody is going to get killed or paralysed.

Meanwhile... Back on the terraces and in the dressing room at the London Stadium, there’s also some hard thinking to be done about how to improve our performances on the pitch.

Every game from now on will be like a cup final for West Ham. Losing to Spurs put the Hammers in the rel- egation zone. It’s unthinkable that the Hammers could end up playing in the Championship next season at the London Stadium. But we’ll have to fight to stay up. Q