The Premier League’s Big Six clubs want to change the 3pm broadcast blackout on Saturday afternoons in the next television contract from 2022 to 2025 to enable them to sell a new package of goals and near-live clips to be shown on the internet during matches.

Under Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes even tiny highlights packages such as a goal clip cannot be streamed on the internet in the UK between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday, a restriction which limits their value.

The top clubs in particular are convinced that near-live digital rights are significantly undervalued and will push the Premier League to challenge the 3pm window in the hope of enabling them to get a better deal in the next broadcast auction, which will be tailored towards securing greater interest from online giants such as Google, Netflix and Facebook.

How Chelsea’s Gilmour gave Sky Sports the runaround

Billy Gilmour was so far from Chelsea’s first team at the start of the season that the club did not put him forward when Sky Sports filmed the walk-on shots they use to illustrate team line-ups before matches, which led to the broadcaster hastily superimposing the head of the 18-year-old Scot on to another player’s body ahead of his full Premier League debut against Everton last weekend.

The process was so last-minute, however, that Gilmour’s head was attached to the torso and legs of a player wearing adidas boots when he and Chelsea are contracted to rivals Nike.

Amazon’s Poch push drama

Amazon’s much-hyped Tottenham documentary will begin with the inside story and unseen footage of the incredible 24 hours which saw Mauricio Pochettino sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho in November.

The first episode of the eight-part documentary is in the process of being edited and the dramatic dismissal of Pochettino will feature heavily.

Amazon appear to have been given the inside track by Tottenham all season, with their camera crews summoned to the training ground to film Mourinho’s first visit to the club at 7am on November 20.

Clubs combat virus

A number of clubs have issued digital thermometers to security staff manning entrances to their training grounds this week as a precaution to guard against a further spread of coronavirus.

The temperatures of all players, staff and visitors are being taken, with any whose reading is above the guidelines being denied entry.

All bets are off for next Toffee’s sponsor

Everton could sign more sponsorship deals with gambling companies after terminating their five-year shirt sponsorship contract with Kenyan operator SportPesa two years early.

The club have yet to secure a shirt sponsor for next season and are keeping their options open despite comments from chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale that they would prefer a different kind of partner.

Klopp quits drinking beer… despite endorsement deal!

Jurgen Klopp has given up drinking beer despite signing a personal endorsement deal with German brewers Erdinger, which was announced last week.

The Liverpool boss, who was previously an old-school beer and fags man, has developed a more sophisticated palate, preferring the occasional glass of red wine.

Klopp appears to change his choice of drink more often than his club, as he was previously an ambassador for another German brewery, Warsteiner.

Beeb see red over green

Commentator Alan Green’s criticism of the BBC for showing him ‘very little respect’ by opting not to renew his contract this summer has gone down so badly that the corporation are considering reducing his matches even further if the season resumes.

BBC executives are furious that Green voiced his grievances publicly after 25 years working for them and may punish him by giving him restricted commentary duties until he leaves in June, particularly given the doubts over when, and even if, planned fixtures will take place.