Everton stumble into political hot water.

This all relates to our new stadium. Basically Everton are paying £30m towards the project, which will give us a 50% stake in the 55,000 seater arena. The rest of the £155m costs are being met by various public bodies (mainly the European Union, in various forms). However, £15m is coming from central government via English PArtnerships and the North West Development Agency, and this funding has to be approved by Whitehall. Here's the problem. Mr Kenwright has denied that there is any other motive for the donation (and given that he is a long term Labour supporter, it's hardly out of the ordinary).

"Apart from my family there are three things in my life that I cherish – my country, my home town and my football club, and I support them as much as I possibly can. Any suggestion this [donation] is to secure public funding is beyond contempt." Mr Kenwright is reported to have told the Independant on Sunday.

All looks like a storm in a tea cup to me. Bloody politicians.