Inside Lines: Jowell accused of sporting 'vandalism'

Following the shock resignation of Sport England's recently appointed chief executive, David Moffett, the Government now face an unprecedented attack in Parliament over their sports policies. The Opposition have tabled a motion which is tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and her sports minister, Richard Caborn. It has been signed by 25 Tory MPs and according to the opposition spokesman for sport, John Greenway, a number of back-bench Labour MPs are also expected to support it. The motion accuses the Government of "undermining English sport". "The way this Government treats sport is absolutely shambolic," Greenway says. "They are needlessly creating tension and animosity. What they are doing is rampant vandalism, particularly in respect of Sport England, whose authority has been chopped from under them. No wonder they cannot find anyone to take on the chair. Also, 15 council-member posts are vacant. It seems that anyone who asks awkward questions is being replaced because they want a roomful of yes-men and women." Moffett, brought in by the Government as a hatchet man, apparently has become so disillusioned that he has decided to axe himself. Caborn says it came as a surprise but I understand Moffett tried to quit three times in recent weeks but was dissuaded by the minister. The Government plans a "robust response", but their embarrassment has been heightened by fierce criticism from the departing Sport England chairman, Trevor Brooking, and now pressure from sport's governing bodies who last week delivered a document to Jowell calling for a re-appraisal of sports policies.

Motty in the dark as Green signals danger

According to the Football Association's Eriksson-lookalike mouthpiece Paul Newman, who used to be the BBC's sports newshound, the back-to-the-bad-old-days behaviour of England's neanderthal "supporters" in Bratislava was simply a response to the racist abuse of their black brethren on the pitch. Nonsensical as this is, at least Newman was aware of what was actually going off, which is more than his old Beeb colleague John Motson. Apparently neither Motty nor his commentating sidekick Trevor Brooking heard a thing, which must be why the Breakfast television programme had to superimpose the spot-on commentary by the corporation's radio man Alan Green when they showed a clip illustrating the racism. In their naïveté, the FA seem to think the problem is more or less solved here but nevertheless promise to stamp on any lingering pockets of racism. Perhaps they should begin with the football club chairman, well-known for thinking he's a bit of a wag, who is said to have greeted thus an Asian reporter from a national newspaper: "I see they've sent a darkie."

Grass-rooting out racism

Like Motty, the FA may not want to hear it, but racism, like hooliganism, is still alive and kicking in the land that invented monkey chants. So much so that a special Metropolitan Police unit set up to combat it wants fans who witness racial chanting, which is now a criminal offence, to turn informer. Referees and other match officials are also invited to finger suspects. DS Mike Thompson, of Scotland Yard's Racial and Violent Crime Task Force, tells us: "We want people to tell us what is happening around them. People can report this to us in confidence and complete safety." So, if you hear it, call the Yard on 0207 230 4374. Alternatively, Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) or Kick it Out (0800 169 9414).

Doncaster seems to be saddled with one of those kill-joy councils who don't think sport should have winning posts. A few years ago they even tried to stop school sports days because they were considered "too competitive".

So it comes as no surprise that they seem to be doing their best to impose the death sentence on a local village cricket club run by volunteers which has been highly praised by the police for helping keep kids away from crime. Adwick-upon-Dearne CC, based in an area of high unemployment, has a delapidated pavilion, no hot water and over 100 members, including girls, from under-11 to seniors. It owes around £8,000 in rates which it cannot afford, and indeed, would not have to pay if the council applied the discretionary relief that is allowed by the Treasury. But they steadfastly refuse to do so and the club faces closure. Perhaps the sports minister, himself a South Yorkshireman, should have a word in appropriate Tyke ears and suggest that, for once, Doncaster Council play the game.

For someone who has never fought shy of publicity, boxer David Haye has kept his not-unexpected decision to turn professional strangely quiet.

The world amateur champion heavyweight silver medallist, who controversially quit the Commonwealth Games because of a muscle injury, applied for his licence last Tuesday. Haye, believed to have turned down £500,000 before the Manchester Games, has signed for the little-known Fight Factory. It is run by Eugene Maloney, brother of Frank Maloney, the partner of Frank Warren. An intriguing arrangement, especially as the last Fight Factory show was screened by the BBC, with whom Sky-contracted Warren does not do business.

insidelines@independent.co.uk

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