Inside: Parents of EFL stars at SAME CLUB engaged in 'heated disagreement'

As many a Sunday League footballer will attest, one of the annoying knock-on effects of picking up a red or yellow card is the administration fee charged by the local Football Association. Inside Sport, however, was surprised to hear that a similar scenario is faced by the multi-millionaire stars at a number of Premier League clubs.

At the highest level, the FA charges each club £10 for each caution they have to process. And it is understood that, despite routinely paying their charges hundreds of thousands of pounds a week, at least five top-flight sides subsequently deduct the sums from the pay packets of offenders.

The situation has sparked some discussion among those on the administrative side, with a view that the hassle involved is not worth it given the relatively small sums, and that the clubs should just take the hits themselves. Inside Sport hopes that those who do charge continue to do so.

Arsenal fans' tantrum

Footage of irate Arsenal supporters throwing a tantrum at Bournemouth analysts who had, apparently, celebrated their side’s unlikely victory in the press box at the Emirates on Saturday was quick to go viral.

Interestingly, the section involved was the same area from which Gunners fans were quick to turn and mercilessly taunt and goad officials from Tottenham, who were carrying out a similar job, during the North London derby back in November. The old adage ‘if you can’t take it then don’t give it out’, springs to mind.

Players' parents' paddy

There was also drama off-the-field at an EFL match on Saturday when, according to witnesses, a group believed to be parents of two of the home side’s players engaged in a 'heated disagreement' that led to security being forced to step in.

Stunned onlookers reported that a row had broken out in the main stand during the second-half of their fixture, which saw stewards head to the scene to tell those involved to calm down.

The dressing room at the club in question may well be an interesting place this morning.

Cricket rumours crushed

A village in South Yorkshire has been awash with rumours that its cricket team has lined up one of the international game’s star all-rounders to play for them this summer – but representatives for the man in question insist that is not the case.

Inside Sport has been told by multiple sources that ambitious Hoylandswaine CC have reached an agreement with former England star Liam Livingstone to play an unspecified number of matches in the Huddersfield League.

Word in local circles is that the big-hitting Cumbrian is to be paid a five-figure sum each time he appears for Hoylandswaine, which is based in Barnsley and enjoys the backing of a philanthropical benefactor.

However, a representative for the 32-year-old, who lost his central contract with the ECB in September and last month hit out at the England set-up saying there ‘wasn’t any part of me’ that wanted to be part of the team which went to the T20 World Cup, says no such arrangement is in place.

Livingstone is currently in the IPL playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad and is contracted to play for Lancashire in the Blast.

Student fails to dupe new coaches

Meanwhile, a cautionary tale from an ambitious club across the Pennines who embarked upon a global recruitment drive ahead of this season.

One of many new faces was an Indian student who told officials he was on the fringes of first-class cricket in his homeland but had decided to study in the UK instead having fallen ‘just short’ of the necessary standard. The club subsequently assisted him with some money towards his tuition fees and accommodation.

However, suspicions were raised in the new man’s first match when, opening the batting, he was out second ball without playing a shot. He then refused to take part in the first outdoor training session, citing the cold temperature as a factor, while in his second game he was out first ball and dropped a number of catches in a nine-wicket pasting.

While his team-mates consoled themselves in the bar, their new arrival strode to the middle in full kit to play a series of air shots never previously seen at a cricket ground. The ‘player’ has since been released, while the club is actively seeking repayment. The ECB has also been informed of his antics.

Orlando to welcome England fans

Daily Mail Sport previously reported that Orlando was in the running to host an England friendly ahead of the World Cup and, after a long battle with Miami, the home of Disneyworld has prevailed and will stage the Three Lions’ final tune up against Costa Rica on June 10.

The key is thought to have been the impact of tens of thousands of fans travelling to the Florida city and taking up hotel room nights will have on the local economy.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission is keen to show off what it can offer as a host and, after not landing Olympic events or World Cup fixtures, has doubled down on its efforts to stage related events for what is known as the ‘brand halo effect’.