The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed it intends to take "operational control" of Pro12 side Newport Gwent Dragons by July 1. The WRU reached "heads of agreement" for a deal which includes the purchase of Rodney Parade. A statement said that "the sale has been ratified by the boards of the WRU, Newport RFC and Dragons, but must be agreed by the Newport RFC shareholders" (BBC, 3/22).
Liverpool is "under investigation for allegedly tapping up and offering a forbidden inducement to a Stoke City schoolboy." The club is also "accused of reneging on an agreement to pay the youngster's school fees, leaving his parents -- who pulled out of a deal with the club as a result -- in thousands of pounds of debt." An investigation into the claims was launched earlier this year by the Premier League, which had "already been looking into allegations related to a grievance" Liverpool had about one of its own schoolboys joining Man City. Both of the "controversial" transfers date back to last summer, when Liverpool allegedly "tapped up a 12-year-old considered to be one of Stoke's best youngsters" (London TELEGRAPH, 3/22).
Rugby side Wakefield Trinity "denied reports" that it is set to sell its Super League license, with club Chair Michael Carter describing it as a "non-story." One report suggested that Trinity was "interested in selling up amid continued doubt" over where it will play its home games in '18. Carter "rejected speculation" that the club is "looking in effect to sell" its place in the top flight to the highest bidder (London GUARDIAN, 3/23).
