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London Mayor Khan Fully Behind Tottenham's New Stadium

London Mayor Sadiq Khan insisted he is "fully behind Tottenham's new stadium" despite club Chair Daniel Levy "lambasting officials in his office" over the £800M ($988M) development, according to Matt Majendie of the London EVENING STANDARD. In a "fiery email" to City Hall and Haringey Council, Levy accused officials of taking "such little interest" in the development that he was "embarrassed." But Khan said that he was "keen on working with" Tottenham and Haringey officials in order to "reach a good solution that benefits everyone." The 61,000-seat stadium "will be London's largest club ground when it is completed." Khan insisted he and City Hall officials were "very much behind the project being a success." Khan said, "I want as many world-class sporting stadiums in London as I possibly can. I said when I gave permission for the Chelsea development, this is another jewel in London's sporting crown. When Spurs is redeveloped it will not only improve the sport on offer but the area is going to be regenerated." The mayor "tried to distance himself from the situation," saying that it was "an issue between Spurs and the council" but he has a vested interest in the development being a success, with Tottenham's new ground seen as the "likeliest home for an NFL franchise" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/16).

SPORTING CAPITAL: Majendie also reported Khan has "far-reaching dreams for the capital." He said, "My ambition is for London to be the undisputed sporting capital of the world." However, his plans are "laced with realism." Khan: "I think we're a long way from reaching that destination." He added, "The evidence of my ambition for our city is looking at the sporting events we're holding in London this year." Khan reeled off London 2017, Wimbledon, NBA and NFL games, Test matches, the Champions Trophy, the FA Cup semifinals at Wembley, the Women's Tour cycle race and April's "heavyweight showdown" between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko (EVENING STANDARD, 3/16).

'FRUSTRATION AND ANGER': Majendie also reported Khan vented his "unhappiness, frustration and anger" at the "growing costs of the London Stadium," which he warned would have to be "subsidised for the foreseeable future." This week, he appointed forensic accountancy firm Moore Stephens to look into the rising costs of the former Olympic Stadium. Khan said, "My unhappiness, frustration and anger is that the cost associated with the original conversion is more than we were promised. And ... the annual cost of turning that into a culture and music venue is more than predicted -- to the extent that it looks as if for the foreseeable future we will be subsidizing this stadium" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/16).

WEMBLEY MOVE: In London, Tom Collomosse reported Tottenham's "bid to stage all home games in front of a full house at Wembley next season moved a step closer" as local councilors "were advised to grant a key planning application." Wembley asked for 22 extra full-capacity events to be permitted between Aug. 1 and July 31, 2018, which would allow Tottenham "full use of the ground's 90,000 places for every home fixture next term." Now, Brent Council officers "have compiled a 44-page report in which they encourage Brent's planning committee to give the initiative the green light" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/16).

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