SPORTS AGENDA: PFA forced to apologise after comic Ian Stone made lurid jokes about Jews

The Professional Footballers’ Association have apologised after a comedian made jokes about Jews and a gag about lesbian porn at the union’s annual Manchester lunch on Friday.

North London stand-up Ian Stone, who has appeared on shows such as Mock the Week, triggered complaints following his set at the Old Trafford cricket ground.

‘It just wasn’t funny and people were amazed,’ one insider said. ‘The comedian may himself be Jewish but that does not make it OK. It was like going back in time — a seriously bad look. People could not believe what they were listening to.’

The PFA told Agenda that the content ‘was inappropriate and does not reflect our values or represent what we stand for as an organisation’.

PFA has been forced to apologise after Ian Stone made lurid jokes at their annual lunch

They added that they would be ‘reviewing the arrangement of the lunches and guest speaker bookings and changing the format of the events’ and offered a ‘full and sincere apology to guests for the offence caused’.

Stone, however, launched a robust defence of his set, telling Agenda he was ‘genuinely surprised’ at the complaints and saying the gig had gone well, with the ‘vast majority of the 800 people enjoying it’ and that he had never previously received a complaint about the lesbian porn gag.

He added: ‘I’m Jewish. I’m talking about my lived experience. I presume I’m allowed to talk about being a Jew. I don’t set out to offend people but sometimes people take offence.’

City wary of undue attention

Manchester City are increasingly miffed by some unwanted attention being dished out to Pep Guardiola.

During last week’s Carabao Cup visit of Chelsea, a rogue drone appeared above the technical area at the Etihad. Club security staff reported it to the fourth official, who in turn informed referee Simon Hooper.

Hooper had the option of pausing the game, but was not forced to do so because the drone disappeared.

Police were notified and the device in question was traced to a nearby estate, where a local man was arrested.

It is understood Wednesday night was not the first time the drone had appeared at the Etihad.

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Manchester City are wary of attention Pep Guardiola is getting after a drone flew over the technical area during their midweek clash with Chelsea

January business could be done in Qatar

Transfer business ahead of the January window could start in earnest at the World Cup, with club and officials basing themselves in Dubai for the tournament. Some of the biggest agencies are in Dubai and will fly to Qatar to watch games involving their clients. Club chief executives and recruitment teams are also set to stay in Dubai — and the presence of club officials and agents is sure to see lots of activity and talks over potential deals.

Transfer business could set to be done in Qatar while the World Cup is on this month and next

Transfer business could set to be done in Qatar while the World Cup is on this month and next

Mullin’s boots could prove a sticky issue for Wrexham owners

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been put forward to receive the freedom of the city — but the move could be given the boot because of one of their player’s boots.

Striker Paul Mullin posted an image of his Nikes bearing the slogan ‘F**k the Tories’, which the club then banned him from wearing. The problem is that Hollywood actor Reynolds liked Mullin’s post on Instagram, which enraged Conservative councillors. They are now threatening to veto the freedom-of-the-city plans at the full council meeting before Christmas.

Paul Mullin's choice of wording on a pair of boots - which he was prohibited from wearing - could cost his bosses a prestigious gong

Paul Mullin’s choice of wording on a pair of boots – which he was prohibited from wearing – could cost his bosses a prestigious gong 

Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year gives fascinating glimpse into managerial merry-go round

There was a fascinating glimpse of the managerial merry-go-round at the Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year event earlier this month.

Two of the winners picked up awards for achievements at former clubs, with Paul Warne having quit Rotherham for Derby and Alex Neil leaving Sunderland to take over at Stoke.

Days after the event, Wigan Athletic — who cunningly announced a new three-year contract for Leam Richardson less than an hour after this newspaper revealed wages had been paid late for a third time — axed him. Richardson had been at the event to pick up his gong. 

Leam Richardson was sacked by Wigan having been at the FWA manager of the year event

Leam Richardson was sacked by Wigan having been at the FWA manager of the year event 

Rugby Football League continues to exhibit uselessness  

Agenda has previously reported on the shenanigans at the useless Rugby Football League and, unfortunately, there is more. The amateurs running a professional game have been advertising for a chief executive, which some believe is an opportunity for a major step forward, with the incumbent Ralph Rimmer on his way out.

However, the process has now been delayed, with the appointment put on the backburner. Pathetic, when change is needed yesterday.

 Breakdancing turning away publicity 

You might think that the new Olympic sport of breakdancing would welcome all the publicity it could get. However, at the recent European Championships, agency photographers were not allowed in. Apparently bosses wanted to circulate only in-house pictures. Not a great look.

Bean There... Done That - by former FA compliance officer Graham Bean - could be turned into a documentary

Bean There… Done That – by former FA compliance officer Graham Bean – could be turned into a documentary

Bean There… Done That could be turned into a TV documentary

Television producers Afanti Media are holding talks with former FA compliance officer Graham Bean about the possibility of turning his recent book Bean There… Done That into a TV documentary.

Afanti, who have offices in Cardiff and Salford’s MediaCity, have produced popular, award-winning factual and entertainment shows, and in the past have worked with the likes of the BBC, Channel 4 and Netflix.

Cherries physio off to the jungle

Bournemouth physio Stuart Douglas is to jet to the Australian jungle, where his sister is appearing on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Scarlette Douglas has hosted property shows including A Place in the Sun, which she left in August to front Channel 4’s Worst House on the Street with the Cherries medic. Stuart, 44, will be his sister’s loved one, waiting for her across the bridge when she departs the camp.

Scarlette Douglas' brother is heading out to the Jungle to be her loved one when she leaves the camp for the final time

Scarlette Douglas’ brother is heading out to the Jungle to be her loved one when she leaves the camp for the final time

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