Sporting Miscellanies

The ex-Thailand Prime Minister, who was forced to sell City after his assets were frozen by the Thai government, has turned philanthropist, dedicating himself to, in his own words, "ridding the world of poverty".

Now, we're never one to sneer at commitment to charitable causes: we're just surprised Thaksin has found the time.

After all, dodging the two-year jail term he was handed, in absentia, by the Thai courts for corruption last October must, in itself, be a full-time job.

There's also the issue of a man condemned by Amnesty International for human rights abuses and accused by the UN of using his political influence to secure contracts for his own company deciding to turn himself into a kind of Geldof-Lite.

At least Sir Bob's only crime against humanity was bumping the Boomtown Rats up the bill at Live Aid.

Blatter blunders with his cup assessment

You have to hand it to Sepp Blatter.

When it comes to being unaware of impending disaster, the stewards on the Titanic who were busy ensuring passengers' beds were properly turned down while water lapped over their ankles have nothing on the FIFA president.

"I am happy with the smooth manner in which the Confederations Cup has been organised and this is a good sign for the World Cup," Blatter said this week.

And, in a sense, he's right: setting aside the fact that two squads (Egypt and Brazil) were robbed in their hotels, stewards in Cape Town threatened to strike over pay, a chronic lack of transport and accommodation for visiting fans and a dire ticket distribution system leading to half-empty stadiums for some games, it has been an unmitigated triumph.

We can't wait for the 2010 World Cup to start.

Dowie's Eagles legal bill just keeps growing

If Iain Dowie looked distracted during Newcastle's relegation run-in, it might not have been for the obvious reason.

Dowie, who spent two months frowning alongside Alan Shearer while wearing an over-sized head-set, is still sifting through the fall-out of his 2007 High Court defeat to Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan.

Dowie is now suing the solicitors who defended him against Jordan's allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, Cameron McKenna, over their £400,000 legal fees.

Gunners may pull the plug on TV channel

Arsenal are "evaluating the longer-term viability" of their TV station. Arsenal TV was part of the Setanta package and is likely to become collateral damage in the broadcaster's demise.

Sad news for all of you who simply cannot countenance life without Young Guns Academy, Arsenal Ladies Revisited and the ever-popular Bob Wilson Meets.