* Reporters and photographers barred from Amex Stadium * Guardian says reporting is in public interest The Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion has banned the Guardian’s reporters and photographers from attending matches at its home ground after it reported on allegations relating to the club’s owner, Tony Bloom. The club notified the Guardian on Sunday to say it felt it “would be inappropriate for journalists and photographers from the Guardian to be accredited to matches at the Amex, starting from Sunday’s game against West Ham”. The move follows reports in the Guardian that have raised questions from MPs about the activities of Bloom, a billionaire who has made his money from gambling. Continue reading...

Laying a table well is one of the best ways to make guests feel relaxed and cosy. Queen of tablescaping Laura Jackson’s advice? Forget the stiff old rules and have fun with it

* ITV make successful £80m bid for Nations Championship * TNT miss out after losing Champions League last month ITV is poised to win the rights to broadcast every England rugby union Test from next year after submitting a successful £80m bid for the inaugural Nations Championship. The terrestrial broadcaster has beaten off a rival bid from TNT Sports to secure a deal that will ensure that all of the home nations matches will be available free-to-air for at least the next three years, in a major boost for the exposure of the sport. Continue reading...

* Ifab may loosen approach to trials of new rules * World Cup could see first trial use of VAR for corners Football’s lawmakers are exploring the possibility of allowing tournaments to run their own trials of new rules, which could lead to VAR being used to adjudicate on corner kicks at next summer’s World Cup. Under the change the International Football Association Board (Ifab) would allow more short-term trials as an alternative to the system whereby major tournaments largely introduce measures only after they have been trialled, usually in minor leagues or tournaments. Continue reading...