NEW: Lindsay Hoyle has intervened to block the release of emails he sent to Israeli politicians 🗣️ 'The Speaker of the House of Commons ... has formed the reasonable opinion that disclosure of the information would be likely to prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs'

Everyone knows the police invented their “intelligence” to ban Israeli fans from Villa Park. The deadline for the Inspectorate report has passed. The Policing Minister still hasn’t published her correspondence with the police. So will the Home Office be transparent? My letter:

The Adoration of the Maga. A few thoughts. It all felt a step too far by Gianni Infantino. The award of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize felt more to do with its president’s desire to please powerful politicians as much as Donald Trump’s love of such glitzy, expensive offerings of loyalty last seen in medieval courts. It felt more about politics than sport, a risky game for Fifa to play whenever it wants to bring a national association into line for perceived interference by government in the future. The Trump trophy weakens Fifa statutes. It also distracted from the real trophy, the World Cup, and the group-stage draw, traditionally a celebration about bringing countries together. Infantino took his eye off the balls. A football draw designed to work out who plays who and (eventually) where and when is not the time or place for such politics. Infantino wasn’t speaking for the world in bestowing the Peace Prize, as he claimed. So presumptuous. So out of touch. Many probably agree that Trump has been a force for good in geopolitics, some might disagree. Most would probably feel such decisions should be left to experienced experts like the Nobel Committee and, please, can we get on with a football draw. It’s spectacularly naïve or simply arrogant for Fifa to enter such non-football areas. It feels more and more that this was as much an Infantino initiative as Fifa’s. Infantino was supposed to drain the swamp when he arrived at Fifa in 2016 in the wake of assorted corruption scandals bedevilling the governing body of world football. How fitting that the nadir of Infantino’s propensity for self-aggrandisement as leader of what’s supposed to be a team game came in Washington. It was there that Trump promised to transform politics with his “drain the swamp” rhetoric, also in 2016. The selfie moment was particularly cringe-worthy. Infantino forgets that football is the star of the show, not a 55-year lawyer. A senior football executive, who’s been at the heart of the English and European game for more than 20 years, messaged me during the drawn-out draw with his verdict on Infantino. “I feel revulsion, anger, shame, disgust – how has our sport been taken over by a Swiss ***** and turned into a total travesty???” He also pointed out that ensuring the leaders of USA, Mexico and Canada each somehow pulled out their own country’s name was not a good look for a draw based on chance. Great for the cameras, though. Flash, bang, wallop, what a picture of Infantino's priorities. And who gets the next FIFA Peace Prize? And wouldn't Infantino have gained more respect had he used the money for the Trump trophy to subsidise excessive ticket costs? He's lost sight of what should be the real priorities for the leader of football. The game. It's sad, really. Many sensible people work at Fifa, passionate about the game not their own ego, but it's alarming what happens to the leadership when they take power there. Even the great football manager Arsene Wenger has changed since becoming Chief of Global Football Development at Fifa. He now campaigns for more games, backing the expanded World Cup, which he would have railed against as a widely-admired, free-thinking club manager, fiercely protective of his players' well-being. "I believe that 48 teams is the right number." Arsene, just listen to yourself. Many fans probably won’t lose much sleep that Wenger dances to Fifa's tune or that Infantino cosies up to Trump, Aramco and co. Some probably think Fifa’s a video game. Most just can’t wait for the football. The game’s about Mbappe and Messi, Haaland and Salah, Kane and Dembele, not Infantino and Trump. The game’s about the Tartan Army, the brilliant Mexican following, the ever-hopeful English, the mobile carnival of Brazilians and the millions of other fans flocking to venue cities next summer, only a third with tickets. The USA is prepared for the party. I covered USA 94 and you couldn’t really tell there was a tournament on, certainly where I was in Detroit, Chicago and DC. You will this time, also in Canada. Mexico's total immersion was never in doubt given their passion for the game. Infantino should remember this. He runs a great football organisation, not a political organisation. He needs to re-focus. Fifa is undeniably a force for good in many countries. The Fifa Foundation runs a new community programme that supports 154,924 people in 54 nations. Its new Digital Education Programme works on computer literacy amongst disadvantaged groups, helping them into the workplace. It’s easy to say it’s all about Infantino (Foundation board president), soft power and ensuring he keeps countries onside, voting for him, but the Foundation undeniably changes lives. Infantino needs to look at his Adoration of the Maga and remember what he should be doing for football: serving it, not himself. #FIFAWorldCup.

🚨WE NEED YOUR HELP!🚨 Our walls have heard 130 years of Manchester stories, laughter, music & a fair few pints🍺 We’re proud to be part of this city’s soul, but we need your support to help protect The Marble Arch for generations to come. 🔗HELP HERE👇 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F…

28% of rail journeys are now run by the public operator. Can Transport Secretary @Heidi_Labour explain what public ownership means in 28 seconds?

🗣️ 'I'll never vote again.' A fisherman reacts to the new post-Brexit reset trade deal between the UK and the EU, saying he doesn't believe a thing the prime minister says. trib.al/YKanzN3

We are now asking @Official_Darlo fans to get involved with the Darlington FC 'Hall of Fame' again by nominating individuals who made an outstanding contribution to the club during the 1980s! ⚫️ ⚪️ ⚫️ Read more below and get nominating... ▶️ yourclub.darlingtonfc.co.uk/…

How much time has Keir Starmer been out of the country? Since Sept 1 Keir Starmer has been in: Ireland 1 day Italy 2 days Washington 2 days Berlin - 1 day Brussels - 1 day UNGA - 3 days Samoa - 5 days Budapest - 1 day France / COP - 2 days Next week G7 - 4 days  22 days on overseas trips since start of Sept to next Wednesday in that 77 day period.  In that same period the Commons sat 34 days This isn’t judgement about whether this is right or wrong (and we discuss pros and cons in the podcast)

The Royals make millions in profit each year, but this has always been shrouded in secrecy, until now. A joint @C4Dispatches and @thetimes investigation reveals that the King and Prince William are receiving public money through leasing property to public services like the NHS.

It is cheaper to increase rail capacity by installing new signals that allow safe running of more trains on existing tracks. Trying to build a new train line to time and budget has proved to be well beyond the skills of the nationalised business asked to do it.

Introducing the National League Cup 👋 We are delighted to announce an exciting new competition which kicks off next month 🏆 🔗 thenationalleague.org.uk/pre… @premierleague | #TheVanarama

Confirm the rumours are true, La Brocante in Brussels has permanently closed as of 8th August. The owner has removed anything of value & smashed up anything he couldn't take with him. He is currently being pursued for huge debts. A sad end to a great bar. Note @Thirsty_Pilgrim

#PostOfficeScandal #PostOfficeInquiry #StateCoverUp #MrBatesVsThePostOffice This is the deeply harrowing story of the shocking human impact on JANET SKINNER and her family over the past 18 YEARS - AND STILL IT GOES ON! 😡 As we approach Phase 7 of the Inquiry a timely reminder of the misery inflicted on so many innocent lives by the wickedly mendacious abuse of power and cover up by public officials employed by a State Institution. THEY KNEW. THEY CONSPIRED. THEY MUST NOW FACE JUSTICE ⚖️ @Janetsk20073533 @SeemaMisra7 @TracyF882 @CastletonLee @PaulMar72224296 @FloraClairePage @GouldsBlog @PostOffInquiry @edwardhenry1 @mountfordUK @23essexstreet @TheLawSociety @thebarcouncil @KarlTurnerMP @CommonsBTC @DavidDavisMP @jreynoldsMP @darrenpjones @premnsikka @RtHonKevanJones @UKHouseofLords @metpoliceuk