On The Line: Allardyce facing High Court date

Sam Allardyce may still be refusing to

speak to the BBC after last year's Panorama

expose, but he is a step closer to having to talk

to a judge.

Solicitors for Israeli middleman

David Abou have given Allardyce's son, Craig,

seven days to respond to their claim of breach

of contract or face a High Court case, in which

the Newcastle boss is likely to be a key witness.

Abou claims Craig Allardyce reneged on an

agreement to split the £135,000

commission he negotiated from

Idan Tal's transfer to Bolton last

year.

The pair had worked

together on two previous deals

involving Israel-based players

and the club then managed

by Allardyce Snr.

Abou's solicitor, Eddie

Parladorio, said: "We have

sent a letter before action

to Craig Allardyce's

solicitors and in the

absence of a satisfactory

reply within seven days,

we have instructions to

issue proceedings in the

High Court."

Another transfer

involving the Allardyces

is under renewed

scrutiny. Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi, whose

move to Bolton was among the 17 Lord

Stevens and Quest were unable to sign off, has

been contacted by the FA.

Lord Stevens

expressed concern about the relationship

between Craig Allardyce and Peter Harrison,

the agent in the deal.

It was claims about payments made to Craig

Allardyce which formed the centrepiece of the

Panorama programme.

Apathy towards All-Blacks

From New Zealand comes news which

confirms things really are topsy-turvy in the

Southern Hemisphere.

While British viewers

will be swamped by coverage of the Rugby

World Cup, fans of favourites New Zealand are

hardly bubbling over with enthusiasm.

The time difference, which will force them to

watch TV at awkward times or read out-of-date

newspapers, is a major factor.

But British

ex-pats report a surprising degree of apathy

about the all-powerful All Blacks.

Sponsors

Telecom are doing their best, urging fans to

record messages of support by shouting into

their phones. Well, it is a long way to France.

Hayes the Wanderer has Wasps buzzing

All eyes are on the Rugby World Cup, but

millionaire Steve Hayes has given European

champions Wasps a timely off-the-field boost

ahead of the domestic kick-off later this month.

Hayes, who made his

money by selling loans.co.uk

to global banking firm

MBNA, has provided muchneeded

new investment by

buying an 11 per cent stake

in the club from chairman

Chris Wright.

Hayes already

bankrolls Wasps' landlords,

League Two football team

Wycombe Wanderers, where he holds 25 per

cent of the shares, and will now push ahead

plans for a new shared stadium with a capacity

of up to 20,000.

Hayes said: "My commitment to Wycombe

remains as strong as ever and I believe that the

clubs can together sustain a stadium which will

be a tremendous asset to the community."