In November, Inside Sport noted how reporters covering Manchester United’s women side when they play at the Leigh Sports Village had taken to bringing their own toilet roll to games thanks to a lack of the product at the council-operated facility.

United have long denied claims of a lack of investment in their women’s team but the noise refuses to go away following the departure of head coach Marc Skinner.

On Sunday, it got louder when they made it back-back losses to open the campaign escaping a lop-sided home clash with Chelsea with a 5-0 pasting while, up in the press box, there was again no loo roll.

Spygate tensions rumble on

As they await the Spygate verdict from the FA, there would appear to be no love lost between Southampton and the EFL. Spies inside the boardroom at Birmingham City have told Inside Sport that EFL chief Rick Parry, who was at St Andrews for the Saints' recent Championship clash, did not speak to any of the travelling delegation, preferring instead to spend the duration of his visit with Blues officials.

The apparent snub did not go unnoticed at Southampton, where there remains some upset about how the decision to throw them out of the play-offs unfolded. While the FA’s punishment remains to be seen, any further measures would no doubt add to that feeling, given the Saints have already paid the ultimate penalty.

EFL insiders say that Parry was in a different area of the boardroom and did not spot the Saints party.

Chakraborty hard to replace for BBC

Federation bosses are closely monitoring the BBC’s next move ahead of the Olympics following the departure of its head of major events and general sport. Ron Chakraborty is departing the broadcaster at the end of the year after more than 28 years.

He leads the Beeb’s Olympics coverage and, as a highly-respected operator, leaves big shoes to fill. ‘Ron is a great guy,’ explained one source, ‘and did a brilliant job on this year’s Winter Games. It will be interesting to see what they do for LA – producing 35 sports is not easy. There’s nothing like it.’

Some have accused the Beeb, under director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, of showing little regard for television as it searches for a younger audience by pouring resource into digital output.

Insiders say they are confident in their succession plan, believe in the team that delivered both the summer and winter Games, which remains in place, and say additional leadership oversight will be provided. They reject any suggestion that LA coverage will be compromised given the expertise they believe remains at their disposal.

Southgate set to launch new podcast

Gareth Southgate is set to expand his media empire with a new podcast focusing on managers. Insiders say the show is set to be named The Dugout, and is expected to feature broadcaster Mark Chapman and former Everton defender Conor Coady speaking to bosses from across the game.

Southgate, along with long-time business partner Jimmy Worrall have already launched The Football Boardroom, which aims to take listeners inside the corridors of power.

EFL clubs will meet this week in their divisions to discuss key matters. Inside Sport understands that they will be briefed on the latest with regards to financial distribution, as a deal with the Premier League inches closer.

Russini suffers fresh blow after Vrabel scandal

It would appear that Dianna Russini, the reporter at the centre of a huge NFL scandal, has cast her final vote in the sport’s prestigious end of year awards.

Russini, 43, resigned from her role with The Athletic, in the wake of explosive allegations over her relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. She was one of 50 journalists selected to make picks in the Associated Press’s poll, holding the coveted spot since 2022.

Russini and Vrabel, who are both married with children, denied having an affair after shock pictures emerged of them together at an adults-only resort in Arizona.

However, the images, coupled with further shots which appeared to show the pair kissing in a New York City bar in 2020 led some to call on the AP to release ballots from previous polls amid concerns over integrity. They have declined to do so.

Inside Sport asked AP to clarify whether Russini would be voting this year. They stopped short of directly answering the question however, in a quote, seemed to suggest that would not be the case.

A spokesperson said simply: ‘The makeup of AP’s NFL awards voting panel changes regularly as sports reporters change positions and organizations, and this year is no different.’