Martin Calladine

Now hold on, are we sure we don't want to give self-regulation one more chance?

It really is. Not just supporting terrorism in principle, but recruiting for a designated terrorist group and providing it with weapons.

STATEMENT FROM MORECAMBE FOOTBALL CLUB AND PANJAB WARRIORS STATEMENT FROM MORECAMBE FOOTBALL CLUB AND PANJAB WARRIORS

Morecambe have issued a statement.

"We have used this moment to further strengthen our internal processes, including enhanced due diligence checks for key personnel."

www.morecambefc.com/news/2025/de...

HM Treasury assesses REHAL is involved in Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar's terrorist activities, including promoting and encouraging, carrying out recruitment activities for, providing financial services to as well as supporting and assisting those organisations, including through purchasing weapons and other military materiel

The details of what the government alleges Rehal has been involved in are extraordinary.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

It should also be deeply embarrassing for football's authorities. While he wasn't and isn't covered by the Owners and Directors Test, he was for many months the public face of the bid. Which rather raises questions about the scope and effectiveness of the test...

While there's no suggestion that the rest of Panjan Warriors were aware of Gurpreet Singh Rehal's alleged actions, his centrality to the takeover is not a good look for the new owners.

UK government sanctions figure from Morecambe takeover over supporting terrorist group Gurpreet Singh Rehal is referred to as the director of marketing and communications of Morecambe’s owner, Panjab Warriors.

Key figure in recent Morecambe takeover "[suspected] of belonging to terrorist organisations in India."

Blimey.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Hell's bells, that's pretty remarkable.

And, seemingly, Vince Clarke was in the year above.

TIL there is a secondary school in Basildon where, in the mid '70s, Martin Gore, Andy Fletcher, Alison Moyet and Perry Bamonte (sometime Cure guitarist) were all in the same class.

Jesus.

I think the most terrifying thing about what's happening in the US is that so many people aren't merely breaking the law or disregarding their constitutional and professional obligations, they're behaving like the rule of law is no longer in effect and that nothing will have any consequences.

It's true that much of the older crypto, and all NFTs, have gone to zero. What's changed is that, especially in the US, people aren't really any longer pretending that crypto is for anything other than money laundering and for bribing the family of the dictator. And in that respect, it's boomtime.

Exciting to see manufacturers of fake banknote printing machines cozying up to the far-right here as they have in the US. What could possibly go wrong.

* Give or take. His dad, Lord Campbell-Savours, represented Workington from '79 to '91. Following boundary changes, parts of that constituency are now part of his son's constituency in Penrith and Solway.

Labour MP suspended as dozens rebel over farm inheritance tax Markus Campbell-Savours had the whip removed after voting against the change to agricultural property relief. He said he had a duty to represent his constituents

Hard not to appreciate the irony of a man representing the same parliamentary constituency* as his father voting against an increase in inheritance tax.
www.thetimes.com/article/afd1...

I don't know Kevin well, but when I was invited on the Price of Football - of which I never miss an episode - he was tremendously kind and welcoming and then, afterwards, he sent me an extremely gracious and thoughtful email. He's a really good guy.

Match of the Day star in serious accident and left in hospital with broken bones Match of the Day legend Kevin Hunter Day has been involved in a serious accident, with the presenter in hospital after suffering several bones in his back

Only just heard this awful news. Hope Kevin's on the mend soon.
www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/footba...

Wishing all the best for a speedy recovery to Price of Football co-host Kevin Day.

He once travelled from London to Birmingham at his own expense to host one of my film nights.

A really top bloke.

"We've tried nothing, and we're all out of ideas."

Some people choose a hill to die on. Others a mole hill. This guy has chosen to die on a worm cast.

Oh, that's perfect!

I assume he was convicted?

I do think you've been unlucky not to get called - for good or ill, most people I know who've done it found it a fascinating experience.

It's so interesting how people's experiences vary. I was lucky enough to sit on three juries where most everyone was diligent, focused and reasonable. I was also impressed by all the judges, barristers and court staff.

In fact, the only people who made a poor impression were the police officers.

I did jury duty once. It was a powerful experience that renewed my faith in the community.

Plus I got to hear a burgler who'd fled in a boat from a police helicopter and then hidden in a graveyard claim he'd done so because he feared "becoming victim to a drone strike."

Five stars. Would do again.

Was thinking exactly the same thing. Not one living person believes Textor had more influence than Marinakis, but Forest's paperwork was in order.

With this and the approval of the transparently bogus Forest trust arrangement, Uefa can at least claim that they took decisions based on what the paperwork said, and that clubs can get away with anything if the paperwork is in order.

* Recognising, of course, that there's good reason to think a similar penalty would not have been levied against a club the size of, say, Man U and that some fudge would've been found.

Makes me start to wonder if the whole appeal and public fuss was intended in large part to make sure fan anger was directed at Uefa* instead of the board, because it sure looks like their own freely taken decisions are what cost them.