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Selling the World Cup

26:43 recording · EN · 2 speakers

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Executive Summary AI
  • Guest Ed is brought onto The Telegraph's Weekend Tea because no one else on the show likes football, to discuss FIFA president Infantino's plan to create a subsidiary and sell a stake in the World Cup, possibly including to Jared Kushner's brother, after Donald Trump personally called him to overturn a suspension.2:44
  • The hosts joke that new prime minister Andy Burnham has made 'who is the prime minister' too hard a question, discuss a Swansea Quaker chaplain nicknamed Mandy Burnham, and a bride worried about security at the new Number 10 North.5:58
  • Prince Harry, after losing his case against Associated Newspapers, may owe up to £18 million, and the hosts speculate about Meghan Markle's jam line and his worst possible timeline.11:53
  • A man sucked half out of a Ryanair window got a rebooking email for his son, Ed explains Michael O'Leary's philosophy from his recent interview, and the host shares cheap-flying hacks like using a duty-free bag and turning up late.15:32
  • They close with the Yorkshire club Saltman CC's first-slip clicking scandal, Skoda sponsoring the Peak District, and Britons eating cottage pie and drinking red wine in a 30-degree heatwave.20:46

Brief overview

Silly-season news, from Infantino selling the World Cup to Prince Harry's £18 million bill, lampooned on The Weekend Tea.

  1. FIFA's Infantino wants to sell a stake in the World CupHe plans a subsidiary within FIFA with third-party investors, and UEFA has threatened to leave.
  2. Prince Harry could owe up to £18 million in costsAfter losing to Associated Newspapers, costs could balloon further if the Mail removes an indemnity clause.
  3. A duty-free bag beats Ryanair's luggage rulesBuy the cheapest item, ask for a bag, fill it with clothes; staff can't stop you boarding with it.

Questions this recording answers

9 questions, each answered where it is said
What is Infantino's plan for the World Cup?

FIFA president Infantino has announced a plan to create a subsidiary organisation within FIFA and sell a stake in it to third parties, potentially including Jared Kushner's brother. UEFA, representing the European nations, said that if he does this they are out, but as of this morning he is doubling down.

Answered around 2:53
What did Donald Trump ask Infantino to do during the World Cup?

Trump personally called Infantino to get a suspended American player's red card overturned, which caused uproar in the football community. Trump later gave a press conference admitting he called him. The two have had a bromance for several years, and Infantino awarded Trump the Peace Prize.

Answered around 1:56
How much could Prince Harry owe after losing his case?

After losing his flagship legal case against Associated Newspapers, Harry is potentially on the hook for up to £18 million, possibly more if the Mail gets an indemnity clause in their insurance removed. Litigants like Doreen Lawrence cannot pay, so richer claimants such as Elton John and Harry would likely cover it.

Answered around 11:53
What happened to the Ryanair passenger sucked out of a window?

A man on a Ryanair flight got a window seat but was sucked half out of the window mid-flight and nearly died. He has not received proper communication about compensation, but his son got an email offering to rebook the flight, and it is unconfirmed whether the rebooking was free. He was moved to a free seat across the aisle.

Answered around 15:19
How can you get extra luggage onto a Ryanair flight?

Go into duty-free, buy the cheapest smallest item, like a lip balm, and ask for a bag, then fill it with clothes; they cannot stop you boarding with a duty-free bag. Also turn up late, because staff are under pressure to turn the plane around and are less likely to charge for a slightly too big bag.

Answered around 18:18
What is Michael O'Leary's view of what an airline sells?

Ed, who interviewed O'Leary a few weeks ago, says Ryanair is a philosophy: O'Leary asked what he is actually selling, and the answer is going from A to B vaguely on time and alive. On luggage, he argues air travel inherited golden-age expectations, so he charges for bags to disincentivise bringing them.

Answered around 16:30
What is the cricket clicking row?

At Yorkshire village club Saltman CC, a player was filmed clicking at first slip as the ball passed the bat so it sounded like an edge, fooling umpires who rely on audio cues. He has been suspended by the club, the story went global including on Bangladeshi state media, and an Australian podcast offered to pay his fees.

Answered around 20:46
Why is the Peak District being sponsored by Skoda?

Skoda has a car called the Peak and the Peak District is now sponsored by the brand. The host calls it wonderful, arguing much of the country is unsponsored lost revenue that could plug the government budget, deter crowds at beauty spots and even fund a billboard at Sycamore Gap.

Answered around 23:04
Why are Britons eating cottage pie during the heatwave?

The country is beating the heat by eating stodgy English classics like cottage pie in 30-degree temperatures, and red wine is back in. Ed says Britain is not culturally set up for more than four or five days of salad a year, so after many 30-degree days people assume it must be autumn.

Answered around 24:52
Key Quote
“No one cares about corruption.”
— Ed5:26
Key Quote
“I think now it's a sign of genius level memory.”
— Host7:12
Key Quote
“is going from A to B vaguely on time and alive.”
— Ed16:49
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