Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Carlo Tavecchio said that stadiums "should also be opened for pharmacies, cinemas, supermarkets and even lap dancing if they are to prove economically viable." Tavecchio said that the country's football venues were not being exploited to the fullest "because they only staged matches every other week." He said, "We need to have more social activities. There could even be lap dancing" (ESPN.com, 7/6).
Scotland's Musselburgh Racecourse was hours away on Wednesday "from losing its next meeting because of a stand-off" between councilors and the British Horseracing Authority which has left staff "fearing for their jobs." The BHA is refusing to renew a license for Musselburgh Racecourse "unless it agrees to allow an independent review into how it is run," and promises to implement any recommendations "by the end of the year." The BHA set a deadline of 5pm Thursday for course officials to "agree to the ultimatum or risk losing its next fixture on July 14" (LONDON TIMES, 7/6).
Premier League side Crystal Palace "kicked up a stink around Selhurst Park this summer" after using garlic to prepare its playing surface for the '17-18 season. The Selhurst Park pitch "has been having problems with microscopic parasites that weaken the roots within the turf." Liquid garlic "is a pungent but effective way of treating the problem." Palace head groundsperson Bruce Elliott said, "Think of your garlic at home and times that by 100" (BBC, 7/4).
