Rooney the Real Thing

Wayne Rooney's vast commercial potential was on display in central London yesterday when he met more than 500 competition winners as part of his commitment to Coca-Cola, which, along with Nike, is the Manchester United forward's major sponsor.

Rooney appeared alongside the World Cup - the real thing, as opposed to a replica - in a happy coincidence of Coca-Cola's interests. As one of Fifa's official partners the soft-drinks manufacturer has sponsored the trophy's world tour, and Rooney's value to the planet's most recognised brand is demonstrated by the fact that his face has been printed on 500m cans in World Cup year. The World Cup tour has prompted more than 100,000 people to turn out in Rio de Janeiro to see the trophy, but in Thailand the trophy was dropped, leaving the green marble base slightly chipped.

As a result heavy security accompanied yesterday's event, though there was little need as members of the public - and press - posed for photos with Rooney and the trophy.

Earlier the Manchester United player had proved as direct under questioning as he is on the pitch. The BBC presenter Ray Stubbs wanted to know the reason for his improved fitness since he moved to Old Trafford. "Are you into nutrition and weights and the whole science of fitness?" he asked. "No, we just do more running," said Rooney. "I've never touched a weight in my life -I'm paid to play football, not be a weightlifter."

Scudamore's tender win

The Premier League gave broadcasters the tender documents for its next TV rights deal this week after a bruising two-year negotiation with the European Commission in which talks continued to the last minute. Despite agreeing the principles of the deal with Brussels in November the chief executive Richard Scudamore was not able to finalise the tender documents until late last week. The EC's intervention was deeply unpopular with club chairmen but revenge of a sort was exacted during the negotiations when Premier League documents loaded with high-resolution images crashed the entire IT system of the EC competition authority.

Quizzical down under

Multiplex's Wembley disaster has turned the company into a laughing stock at home and abroad. Synonymous with delays and overspending in the UK, the once-proud Australian firm has been dragged even lower back home. "Which Australian company is losing a fortune over Wembley?" was a recent question on a quiz show down under.

Code confusion

As the English rugby union establishment wails at a dismal Six Nations performance, many blame the influence of rugby league, with the former league men on the RFU coaching staff, Joe Lydon and Phil Larder, facing the sack. Curious then that the three sides that defeated England should also employ defensive coaches drawn from rugby league. Dave Ellis does the job for France, the former Widnes and Leeds player Alan Tait for Scotland and Graham Steadman for Ireland. Between them their charges conceded only two tries to England in more than four hours of rugby. The RFU's confusion over the issue is evident in the fact that Shaun Edwards is touted as a potential recruit to the staff. Should it want him the RFU needs to act fast - the Wigan legend is on his former club's wanted list should Ian Millward fail to reverse their current Super League slump.

Stevens in tangled web

Lord Stevens says the Premier League bungs inquiry will go wherever the evidence takes him, but should it lead to agents the process may prove more complex than first thought. The inquiry will rely on FA powers to investigate those not subject to Premier League regulations, ie the agents, but FA sources have made it clear that they cannot grant blanket jurisdiction to Stevens. Instead the inquiry will have to apply to the FA on a case-by-case basis, and any subsequent investigation would take place under the jurisdiction of the FA's compliance department. Privately Stevens and his Premier League employers hope that they will have no cause to ask for Soho Square's help at all.