Episodes
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Covid's grip on the Premier League's neck appears to be tightening again with Manchester United the latest to successfully appeal for a game to be called off. A new variant is in play, cases are on the rise and there are concerns that matches could once again return to being played behind closed doors. We discuss the scenario everyone dreads.
Over in Switzerland, UEFA, to the amusement of many, cocked up the Champions League draw. They got it right at the second time of asking allowing us to pick our ties of the round. We also discover live on air that the Europa League, like an onion, has many, many layers.
Elsewhere in football, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy leading many to ask how many more retro kits the club will drop to make things up to fans. There's also time for a quick chat about Conor Gallagher - the latest Chelsea academy kid to shine - and, on the eve of his retirement, some reflections on Sergio Aguero's career.
There's only one place to start after the break - the madcap end to the Formula 1 season. Were we enthralled? Did we get angry? Did we sleep through it? You'll have to listen to find out.
Chess makes the cut for a second week in a row (blame Wogan) and we make our pick for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award.
After 115 episodes, dating back to June 2019, we end with a final 'And Finally'. We're not saying goodbye forever, but we're certainly going to take a break for a while as we get to grips with more pressing real-life matters.
Thanks for listening over the last two and a half years, it's been a blast.
Big love and Merry Christmas. Allen and Wogan.
We might be going on a bit of a hiatus, but do subscribe to make sure you don't miss out on our triumphant return, because that would be a damn shame, wouldn't it?
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Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan -
It's been a while since a Premier League club has succumbed to Covid but with a clutch of cases in Conte's camp, Spurs have had matches with Rennes and Brighton postponed. Against the backdrop of vaccine passes being introduced for match-going fans in England, the arrival of winter has once again underlined that we're not out of the grip of this rather tedious pandemic.
Rather than get too down about things, we instead focus on the great week enjoyed by Divock Origi. With legend (and meme) status already assured, the Liverpool striker continues to lead a curious existence at Anfield, popping up with late winners for Jurgen Klopp whenever he fancies. Given he's only 26, we're in awe at how long he might go on like this.
Elsewhere in football, it was a terrible week for retro fashion brand Arsenal who found time between merch drops to lose four football matches in the space of a week. The men went down at Manchester United and Everton while the women, during recording, were hammered by Barcelona having lost the FA Cup final to a Sam Kerr-inspired Chelsea. After dissecting the mess at the Emirates, we pay homage to the Aussie who followed up her Wembley heroics with a lesson in how to deal with pitch-invaders.
After the break, we look ahead to the exciting finale of the F1 season. Will it be Max or Lewis who takes the title in Saudi Arabia? And will Andrew actually watch for once? No comment.
We end the show with a Wogan TED Talk about unionization in American sports before dumbing things down with some awful takes on chess. Yes, chess. Did we pay lip service to the Ashes? You'll have to listen to find out.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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Missing episodes?
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Robert Lewandowski had to settle for a sympathy award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony as Lionel Messi pipped him to the big one on a night when Jorginho took bronze as the best player in the world. We chew over the criteria behind a controversial list that had Mo Salah down in seventh.
Back in England, Newcastle United underlined their credentials for the drop with another limp performance, this time against Arsenal. Can they find salvation in the January transfer window or will players be put off the prospect of a spell in the Championship?
Things are suddenly looking a little rosier at Manchester United. The Red Devils stunned everyone by making the savvy appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim coach. It looks great on paper but we're still scratching our heads trying to figure out how his consultant role plays out when another coach takes on the full-time position.
Elsewhere in football, Sp*rs lost to the lowest-ranked team in the Europa Conference League before snow forced the cancellation of their clash with Burnley. For the US-based Lilywhite who'd travelled 31 hours to be at Turf Moor that came as a bit of a shock.
We end part one with a trip to Dublin where Cathal took in the FAI Cup final and then head to Portugal where Primera Division side Belenenses took on Benfica with just nine men in their starting lineup.
After the break, it sounds like Novak Djokovic might not take part in the Oz Open because he's not vaccinated against Covid. We wonder if that's a decision he'll come to regret. We then turn our attention to cricket's coin toss conundrum and golf's big grudge match between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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After a host of poor results, culminating in a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Watford, Manchester United's owners couldn't ignore the issue any longer. Finally, after 168 games in charge, they pulled the plug on the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era. It was painful for all involved, evident by the tears shed by the Norwegian in an interview with the club's in-house TV channel.
Where do United go from here? They don't seem so sure with an interim, Michael Carrick, due to be replaced by another interim if they can't find someone permanent. It's a mess. And it's glorious.
On the pitch, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City kept the pressure up on each other at the top of the table with easy wins. Jurgen Klopp's men delivered a particularly impressive win against Arsenal in the Left Field derby after things promised to boil over on the touchline. We discuss hardman managers.
At the bottom, new gaffers Gerrard and Smith got off to winning ways with Aston Villa and Norwich while Burnley and Newcastle settled for high scoring draws on an entertaining weekend of Premier League action.
In Germany, 'Coronavirus Chaos Club' Bayern Munich have caused controversy by deciding not to pay their unvaccinated stars. We mull over whether that's fair before rounding up part one with news of an Everton legend and a look at the ghostly world of cryptocurrency partnerships.
We start part two looking for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai - not seen in person since making sex abuse allegations against a high-ranking government official - before discussing Tiger Woods' return and Barry Bonds' eligibility for the MLB Hall of Fame.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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We're pretty much done with international football for 2021. A select few countries can start booking flights to next year's World Cup in Qatar, others, including some big names, face nervy playoffs.
We assess the winners and losers from a dramatic week that included spectacular bottle-jobs by Portugal and Italy, a formal complaint by South Africa to Fifa, England engaging in some superb stat-padding and Ireland, Wales and Scotland all burnishing their reputations with decent results.
All eyes return to the domestic game on Saturday when the Premier League campaign rolls up its sleeves and gets into the festive spirit. Arsenal travel to Liverpool for the Left Field derby and for once a Gunners-paddlin' isn't as nailed-on as usual. Or is it?
We also check in on Norwich and Aston Villa who've appointed new managers and survey the scene in the women's game after a big week in the WSL. There's even time to talk Derby County who've suffered yet another points deduction and seem destined for League One.
After the break, we chat over Lewis Hamilton's miracle win in Brazil in embarrassingly little detail before turning our attention to terrible haircuts in the autumn international rugby and Australia's surprisingly easy win over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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And your co-hosts...
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You take a week off and all hell breaks loose in the Premier League.
Left, right and centre, managers have lost their jobs with Norwich and Aston Villa following the lead of Newcastle and Spurs - the managerial merry-go-round always spins faster just before an international break. We mull over the comings and goings and what might happen next at the clubs affected.
A different type of manager has also come under the spotlight this week - social media managers. Following a cock-up by Bruno Fernandes' team and a reveal-all interview by Manchester United's CEO of Media, we talk football's obsession with fan engagement and the weird path it's leading us all down.
On the pitch, West Ham are looking pretty tasty. Up to third with a win over Liverpool they remind us of 2016 vintage Leicester. Surely they can't challenge for the title? Or maybe they can?
Elsewhere in football, we cast an eye over some of the international break's least fascinating matches, weigh up the job facing Xavi, laugh at Jose Mourinho and question who has a hand steady enough to tackle Daniel Sturridge's hairline.
After the break, we catch up with the racism storm at Yorkshire Cricket, shake our head in disbelief at Aaron Rodgers' Covid calamity and discuss who we'd most like to smack in the face.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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After a humiliating 5-0 defeat by Liverpool at Old Trafford, the end is nigh for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian labelled Sunday his 'darkest day' and rumours abound that the Glazer family may now pull the plug on a man they awarded a new contract to just three months ago.
For Jurgen Klopp, Mo Salah and the red side of Merseyside - utter bliss. The only unbeaten team in the Premier League have their swagger back after last year's stumble and look ready to push Chelsea and Manchester City all the way.
We discuss the top three's credentials and ask who'll be the best of the rest as we cast a casual eye over the likes of Leicester, Spurs, West Ham, Everton and Arsenal.
Elsewhere in football, Real Madrid beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp in a low-key El Clasico, Jude Bellingham scored a lovely goal, Crystal Palace fans held up a banner protesting against Newcastle United's new owners and Paul Scholes caused a stir by being caught on camera sucking on the toes of his adult daughter.
What the f*ck?
After the break, we find out live on air that the cricket World Cup that's currently being hosted by India, UAE and Oman isn't the one that England won a couple of years ago, we look ahead to the World Series (sort of) and we talk favourite candies.
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New owners, same old Newcastle. Well...for now, at least. After a week of joyful scenes in the North East following a takeover by (not) Saudi Arabia, St James' Park was brought down to earth by another terrible performance by Steve Bruce's side. We discuss what happens next for the smash-nosed manager and the Geordies' project.
After a record-breaking 29 away games without defeat, the wheels finally came off for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer away from home. Leicester ran riot on an afternoon that has many once again questioning how far the Norwegian can take the Red Devils.
Elsewhere in football, Crystal Palace's 2-2 draw at Arsenal suggests the Gunners might have the wrong ex-captain in charge, Real Sociedad are the darlings of Spain and Mo Salah is doing his best to steal the Ballon d'Or away from, erm, Jorginho?!
After the break, there was British success at Indian Wells after Cameron Norrie sealed a first ATP Masters title despite his shoes being stolen. We ask the big question, why are tennis players so careless with their kicks?
We also look back on the NFL's return to London and cast a casual observers eye over the MLB playoffs.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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What a game between Liverpool and Manchester City? End-to-end, fantastic goals and in Mo Salah and Phil Foden, two men of the match! We discuss the fallout from a Premier League cracker and what it says about the title race.
Will Manchester United, who've looked bang average for a couple of weeks, be able to keep pace? More dropped points at Old Trafford, this time against an Andros Townsend-inspired Everton, suggest probably not.
At the other end of the table, Watford - surprise, surprise - became the first club to lose their nerve and sack their coach. After 10 months in charge, Xisco Munoz has been replaced by 70-year-old Claudio Ranieri. It's the Italian's 22nd managerial role. Will it be dilly ding or dilly wrong for the Hornets?
Elsewhere, things are going from bad to worse for Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, Wrexham's celeb owners have thrown a strop and a GPS typo led to an embarrassing Coupe de France exit.
After the break, boxing is under the microscope following stunning allegations of corruption at the Rio Olympic Games. Oh, dear. However, we're not giving up just yet as Tyson Fury's umpteenth clash with Deontay Wilder has landed just in time to moisten the loins. We also chat about unvaccinated NBA stars and inappropriate dad dancing.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
Subscribe: il.ink/leftfield_pod
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Only a couple of weeks ago, Spurs were top of the Premier League and Arsenal were bottom. Nuno Espirito Santo was manager of the month and Mikel Arteta was the bookies' favourite to be sacked. Now, courtesy of Sunday's derby win, it's the Gunners who are on the charge and the Lilywhites in freefall. We try and figure out what's happening in north London.
The top of the Premier League may have a familiar look to it but Brighton, Everton and West Ham are doing their best to cling onto the coattails of the big boys. The Seagulls snatched a late point in El Gatwicko to maintain their great start but surely they'll fall away soon?
City's slick win at Chelsea - small revenge for the Champions League final - has teed them up nicely for further epic clashes with PSG and Liverpool. If they come through unscathed, does that make them *the* team to beat in Europe?
Elsewhere in football, we talk safe standing, drinking in view of the pitch and a 60-year-old playing up front for his own club.
In a packed 'Not Football' half of the show, we run the rule over Europe's annihilation in the Ryder Cup, talk Anthony Joshua's latest damaging defeat, Lewis Hamilton's 100th F1 victory and a very long field goal in the NFL.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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Should we be surprised that Chelsea are playing with such swagger? Given their status as reigning European champions, probably not. All the same, the Blues' impressive early season form, which continued at the weekend with an easy 3-0 win over London rivals Spurs, suggests they are the team to beat as the title race kicks up a gear.
For Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo, there's much work to do. A win in next weekend's north London derby would be timely although it's the Gunners, courtesy of two scrappy wins in a row, that come into the game as the form side. If the stats are anything to go by, it'll end goalless at the Emirates.
Perhaps it's just as well. With referees booking players for taking their shirts off and Jesse Lingard too polite to celebrate against West Ham, football is full of killjoys at the moment. What's up with that? We discuss.
We also mull over Lionel Messi's PSG goal drought - the little man looked less than impressed when he was subbed off against Lyon on Sunday - and discuss bad rabonas after Raul Jimenez's laughably terrible effort.
After the break, we indulge in the most half-arsed Ryder Cup preview you'll ever listen to, chat the introduction of new rules and stats in rugby and get grouchy about the NFL's crackdown on 'taunting.'
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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After a three week break, Ronaldo-mania finally catches up with Left Field. There's been no escaping the Portuguese striker since he returned to England. First he broke the all-time international scoring record against Wogan's Ireland, then he helped Manchester United demolish Newcastle. Is he the missing ingredient at Old Trafford or have Pep Guardiola and City pulled a fast one by luring their neighbours into a mad deal?
On the other side of the Pennines, Elland Road witnessed a horror injury to Liverpool's Harvey Elliott. The 18-year-old midfielder suffered a dislocated ankle following a tackle from behind by Pascal Struijk and will spend much of the season on the sidelines. Was this a horrible accident or the result of referees turning a blind eye to bad tackles with a view to keeping games flowing?
Elsewhere in football, we discuss FIFA's plans to play the World Cup every two years. High-level tournament football every summer looks good at first sight but what are the knock-on effects for players and other sports?
In a packed part one, we also cast an eye over our Fantasy Football fortunes and predict the winners of this season's Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
There's only one place to start after the break and that's Emma Raducanu's remarkable win at the US Open. The 18-year-old qualifier blitzed her way to stardom at Flushing Meadows to steal hearts and minds on both sides of the Pond. What does she do next after a dream week?
To conclude the show, we talk good doggos, enthusiastic cyclists, bad eyesight and *that* crash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. There's also a quality 'And Finally...'
Enjoy the show.
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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After 18 months of watching matches on TV, what was it like watching football in a full stadium? Having visited the Emirates and the Valley respectively, we compare and contrast our experiences as both Arsenal and Charlton lost 2-0 at home.
We don't want to labour the point in the episode notes, but the clock seems to be ticking on Mikel Arteta time in charge of the Gunners. Can he put together a good run before Christmas? Nobody seems to think so right now.
Elsewhere, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Brighton and West Ham have set the pace with a brace of wins each. Something has to give when the Reds face the Blues at Anfield on Saturday. The prospect of Virgil 'immoveable mountain' Van Dijk versus Romelu 'unstoppable force' Lukaku has us licking our lips.
Talking of big units, we also can't resist talking about Michail Antonio's eye-catching form. Is there a player in world football who is as fun to watch right now?
We close part one with a run through Barnet's bad week for the ages, check-in on Tammy Abraham's debut in Italy and attempt to figure out what happened in Nice as irate locals attacked Marseille players on the pitch.
After the break, we try to make sense of cricket legend Ian Botham's appointment as a UK trade envoy to Australia, praise the snack-related marketing that stole The Hundred's thunder, head to Ireland for a bit of hurling and revisit last week's huge grudge match at the snooker.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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Allen: twitter.com/AAllenSport
Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan -
The opening weekend of the Premier League was full of thrills, spills, fans and not a single draw.
Brentford got things off to a flyer with the most expected giant-killing of all time as they brushed past Arsenal 2-0. With games against Chelsea and Manchester City to come, Mikel Arteta is already feeling the heat. We assess how long he has to turn things around before Gunners fans reach for the pitchforks.
The two Manchester clubs experienced mixed fortunes. United, inspired by four Paul Pogba assists blew away Leeds United, while Pep's reigning champions struggled in the final third on the way to a 1-0 defeat at Spurs. Do 90 minutes of football suggest the tide is turning in England's second city or should we just calm down a bit?
Elsewhere in football, Fulham went top courtesy of the luckiest goal you'll ever see. The Championship is already looking ridiculously tight with no team able to win both of their opening games. It's shaping up to be as intriguing as Neil Warnock's bumbag.
We end part one, chewing over Gerd Muller's legacy. Der Bomber passed away at the age of 75 with a goal scoring record that could rival any of the best players in the world.
After the break, we turn our attention to snooker's British Open where warring ex-lovers Mark Allen and Reanne Evans have been paired in the first round. Rarely has a showdown drawn so much attention.
There's also some chat about Roger Federer's latest injury woe and we head Stateside to check in on baseball's Field Of Dreams which, after 18 months of delays, finally wowed a small crowd in Iowa and millions of people around the world.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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Lionel Messi, the world's greatest footballer, will play for Paris Saint Germain this season after a remarkable roller-coaster week that started with him on the verge of renewing his contract at Barcelona before someone pointed out the Nou Camp outfit were completely broke.
Messi, after a tearful exit, will take a pay cut at the Parc des Princes as the Qatari owners pull off an incredible transfer coup just when it looked like the Argentine might be out of reach. As if that wasn't enough drama, there are court cases brewing in Spain as a cabal of clubs, behind the back of Barca and Real Madrid, look to secure their short-term future with a deal with an American venture capitalist fund. It's all getting very ugly.
It's not just Spain with the juicy transfer stories. Manchester City have made Jack Grealish the most expensive footballer in English history, Romelu Lukaku is returning to Chelsea and Harry Kane is trying to force an exit from Spurs. It's hard to imagine how the action on the pitch will compare.
We cast an eye over the Premier League's opening weekend fixtures and hazard a guess at who'll be going down and if anyone can catch Pep Guardiola's champions.
Part one ends with our favourite topic; new kits. There are some dreadful efforts this year which we give a right good roasting.
After the break, we review the final days of the Tokyo Olympics, including gold for Ireland in the boxing, poop-needing speed walkers and careless marathon runners. It's been a blast Japan, the countdown to Paris 2024 begins.
We end the show with some half-hearted chat about the Lions' boring tour of South Africa and the decision of certain NFL players not to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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After a short break, we're celebrating our 100th episode with an Olympics Special.
Sure, we can barely remember the names of any of the athletes, our knowledge of most of the sports is sketchy and the time difference is an issue but it's fair to say, we've both enjoyed Japan's Not Football extravaganza.
So much has happened inside the first 10 days that we can barely scratch the surface but that doesn't stop us from trying. Weightlifting vs swimming, 13-year-olds on the podium, high jumpers sharing gold, the politicisation of sport and batshit crazy BMXing all make the cut as we deliver our mild to medium-hot takes.
We didn't feel we could ignore the beautiful game altogether, so football kicks off part two. What's going on at Arsenal? Are City about to smash their transfer record twice over? And are we excited about the return of the Premier League? It's up for debate.
Cricket's The Hundred has been garnering lots of headlines, good and bad since it got going a couple of weeks ago. It doesn't look that different to 'normal' cricket in our eyes but it's entertaining enough. Naturally, we focus on the snack brands emblazoned on the shirt of each franchise...that's where the big debate is.
The Lions tour of South Africa has proved to be a feisty affair on the pitch. Delicately balanced at 1-1, we're expecting even more fireworks in the series decider. The big question is whether Rassie Erasmus will continue to stoke the fires using his burner account.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
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Allen: twitter.com/AAllenSport
Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan -
In the end, Euro 2020 came down to penalties. Somehow, we knew it would.
For the victors Italy; unbridled joy at a first major title in 15 years. For England, especially the three players who failed from 12-yards, utter despair.
As the dust settles on another painful night for the Three Lions, we talk through the match, the penalties and the fact that after a month-long fling with football, much to Wogan's relief, it is not coming home.
The talking points aren't reserved for the on-pitch action. There were unsavoury scenes at Wembley in the build-up to kick-off as hundreds stormed the stadium without tickets. How on earth did that happen? And we also discuss the onslaught of racist abuse directed at England's unsuccessful penalty takers.
In South America, Leo Messi's wait for a first international honour is over. Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 at the Maracana thanks to Angel Di Maria's first half winner. We didn't watch (it was late!) but there are still hot takes to be had.
In a whistle-stop part two, we run the rule over Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon win - the Serb is now level on 20 Grand Slam wins with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - and wince at the horrific leg break suffered by Conor McGregor in his latest UFC showdown with Dustin Poirier.
Enjoy the show!
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
Subscribe: il.ink/leftfield_pod
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Allen: twitter.com/AAllenSport
Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan -
So... it'll be England and Italy in Sunday evening's Euro 2020 final, a match set-up by a dodgy penalty award for the Three Lions and a decisive shootout win for the Azzurri. While Spain might argue otherwise and France will shake their head in disgust, it definitely feels like the tournament - and what a tournament it has been - will climax with the final it deserves. We review this week's semi-finals and look ahead to a potentially momentous moment for English football. Will Cathal be able to watch?
In South America, the Copa America will pitch the continent's two heavyweights against each other in its final. Argentina, thanks to penalty heroics from Aston Villa's Emi Martinez, will face Brazil, who beat Peru 1-0. Will the winner be bigger favourites for next year's World Cup than their European counterparts?
Elsewhere in football, we try and make sense of Barcelona's finances with speculation mounting they're so broke, they have to make €200 million worth of savings before they can register some of the new players they've bought. How on earth do they keep Messi?
After the break, we cast a discerning eye over Wimbledon where Britain's
Emma Raducanu stole the nation's hearts before having to retire with breathing difficulties. Her exit was greeted by some odd comments from John McEnroe who earned the ire of fans on social media.
We end the show discussing the 10-game ban handed out to rugby league player Kenny Edwards. His crime? Fingering another player's bum. And if you're not put off by that, there's also time for some chat about competitive eating.
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Goals, drama, penalties, shocks...the last week of the European Championships has had it all. Was Monday's action the greatest ever day of tournament football? Quite possibly.
Spain's swashbuckling 5-3 extra-time win over Croatia proved to be a delicious appetiser before Switzerland came from 3-1 down to defeat mega-favourites France on penalties in Bucharest.
It remains to be seen whether Didier Deschamps survives as coach of Les Bleus - there was plenty of finger-pointing in the French camp afterwards, most of which came from one player's mother!
On the other side of the draw, Gareth Southgate's methodical England beat Germany at Wembley to set up a clash with Ukraine in Rome. Things are opening up for the Three Lions - much to Wogan's despair - but with Belgium and Italy potential finalists, there are stiff challenges ahead.
On the domestic front, managerial vacancies are being filled. We discuss Rafa Benitez's appointment at Everton - does he really love being booed? - before running the rule over Nuno Espirito Santo's move to Spurs and Patrick Vieira's selection as Roy Hodgson's successor.
Other sports might be living in the shadow of the Euros, but they're still making headlines. Wimbledon's low-key start was given a jolt by Serena Williams premature exit due to injury. The slippery courts have claimed several casualties as fans return to the All England Club.
Harlequins' unexpected Premiership triumph, a huge spectator-caused crash at the Tour de France and disc golf - yes, disc golf - round things off.
Enjoy the show!Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
Subscribe: il.ink/leftfield_pod
Twitter: twitter.com/leftfield_pod
Instagram: instagram.com/leftfield_pod/
Facebook: facebook.com/leftfieldpod/And your co-hosts...
Allen: twitter.com/AAllenSport
Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan -
The Euro 2020 (in 2021) group stage are in the books. We look ahead to the choice games in the round of 16, including an English nationalist wet dream or nightmare waiting to happen, and the babyface-versus-babyface clash between plucky Wales and Team of Destiny Denmark.
Among the medium to mild takes from the group games, Andrew ventures the idea that Bukayo Saka may in fact be very good – an idea that Wogan has been trumpeting for as long as he can remember. Was Hugo Lloris punching Danilo in the head the new The Dress meme? Is VAR's relative absence a blessing? And what monster has Cristiano Ronaldo unleashed on the interns at Coca-Cola and Heineken?
Meanwhile on the domestic front, we wonder why nobody and their dog want to take the vacant managerial role at Spurs, and if Crystal Palace will be managed by a thick-paint realist painter or an actual football manager.
Not Football, our boy Jon 'Hamm' Rahm clinches his first major. Did Covid-19 give him super powers? And is he one of golf's big stars now? That's before we wonder whether villains like Saracens unite sports fans in disgust, if you need to have a take on transgender athletes before you know what you're talking about (hint: you don't), NFL star Carl Nassib coming out publicly, and whether these are the least sexy NBA Championship semi-finalists you can imagine.
Enjoy the show.
Every week on Left Field, Wogan and Allen dissect the latest in Football and Not Football. Subscribe to make sure you don't miss out, because that would be a real shame, wouldn't it?
Subscribe: il.ink/leftfield_pod
Twitter: twitter.com/leftfield_pod
Instagram: instagram.com/leftfield_pod/
Facebook: facebook.com/leftfieldpod/
And your co-hosts...
Allen: twitter.com/AAllenSport
Wogan: twitter.com/CathalWogan - Show more
