Strike action at BBC Sport is now said to be ‘inevitable’ amid the latest redundancy plans, with staff left furious at a view that while dozens of rank and file jobs will go, well-remunerated senior leadership appears to be ‘untouched’.Daily Mail Sport revealed that a series of job cuts were to be announced ahead of a ‘savings’ call with all staff last Wednesday. On the summit, workers were told that 41 roles would be culled, with five new posts created as director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski continues to ring the changes with a series of controversial moves some believe are aimed at chasing clicks, rather than serving all of the licence-paying audience. ‘Everyone is furious,’ explained one insider. ‘The TV sports news department in particular will be decimated. And yet those at the top, unsurprisingly, are untouched. The feeling is that strike action is inevitable.’Inside Sport understands that while nobody in a senior leadership role is at risk, it would be wrong to suggest that management itself is not impacted and that the highest percentage of the 41 job losses comes from management level. Alex Kay-Jelski has overseen changes since taking the role of BBC director of sportLineker’s FIFA muddleThe ever-noble Gary Lineker last week revealed that he refused to work for FIFA after being asked to meet Vladimir Putin while hosting the 2018 World Cup draw in Russia. Lineker, the former Match of the Day presenter, made the claim on his The Rest Is Football Podcast – in which he also compared under fire president Gianni Infantino to an oligarch.’I made the decision quite a few years ago to not be associated with FIFA in any way,’ Lineker said.This would be the same Gary Lineker whose production company, Goalhanger Films, signed a deal with FIFA+ (which launched in 2022), in which he sat down with fellow Golden Boot winners for a documentary streamed on the FIFA streaming channel. Indeed, as late as last October FIFA+ posted an advert promoting Lineker’s sit down with Thomas Muller, who won the coveted prize at the South Africa World Cup in 2010. Insiders have disclosed that the deal was worth ‘deep into six figures’. Goalhanger insiders said the agreement was ‘some years ago’.United’s gift from Sabah Ahead of Champions League matches it is tradition for executives from both sides to break bread, with the host club footing the bill. The meetings, often over lunch, often include the exchanging of gifts, especially when it comes to those whose clubs rarely face each other, which was the case earlier this month when Manchester United entertained Azerbaijan champions Sabah. Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in United’s 4-0 win over Sabah earlier this monthWhile signed shirts are often the order of the day, the visitors decided to mark the occasion differently. United execs were instead presented with a series of rugs, with the date and details of the fixture embroidered onto them, in a nod to the country’s rich and ancient tradition of producing hand-woven rugs and carpets.Why EFL may welcome Burnham’s booze plan While it is early in the process, it would appear that there is already a differing approach over Andy Burnham’s booze plans between the Premier League and the EFL.Last week the Everton-supporting Prime Minister said the ban on fans being allowed to drink alcohol in the stands was ‘discrimination’ and suggested a change could be trialled. Other sports do not face the same restrictions as those placed on clubs in the top five divisions of the game in England in 1985. Andy Burnham with Canadian PM – and fellow Everton fan – Mark Carney at the Hill Dickinson Perhaps with an eye on much-needed revenue, the EFL appear receptive to the prospect. Insiders say that while, should a change be forthcoming, it would be a matter for clubs, there is evidence to suggest allowing fans to drink in view of the pitch would reduce the risks caused by excessive boozing before games often seen now. There is also a view it could reduce the traditional last-minute congestion at turnstiles, with fans leaving it as late as possible to leave the pub and enter the ground.‘Forever and a day we haven’t felt the time is right to take that move,’ said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters when previously asked by Sky News about the matter. ‘We haven’t got a specific view – it would need to be given some careful thought. Maybe now is the time to start that discussion but we don’t have a clear view.’