Worthington defends integrity of Cup contest
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE SPONSORS of the Worthington Cup said yesterday that the competition is still important to fans, despite some some clubs' refusal to field full-strength sides.
THE SPONSORS of the Worthington Cup said yesterday that the competition is still important to fans, despite some some clubs' refusal to field full-strength sides.
On Wednesday, both Manchester United and Chelsea were knocked out of the tournament after playing what were effectively reserve teams, while Arsenal and Sunderland played on Tuesday with sides almost bereft of first-team players.
The sponsors also defended some dismal recent attendances - which reached a new low when only 8,843 turned up to see Wednesday's all-Premiership tie between Middlesbrough and Watford - by saying that the Worthington Cup was still more popular than other sporting events, including the rugby union World Cup.
"We look forward to the rest of the Worthington Cup, which has seen the introduction of an innovative new draw format and, at the halfway stage of both competitions, over 70 per cent more fans attend Worthington Cup games than the RugbyWorld Cup," Mike Flynn, Bass Breweries' head of sponsorship, said.
The Football League added that the "vast majority" of clubs have fielded full-strength sides, and pointed out that the tournament's winners will be rewarded with a place in next season's Uefa Cup.
"I certainly don't think the competition is being devalued," Peter Rowe, the League's director of communications, said yesterday. "There are a few clubs who operate a squad system, and we have to adapt to that in modern football."
Chelsea's manager, Gianluca Vialli, defended his decision to put out the side that lost to Huddersfield on Wednesday night: "We had six internationals on the pitch, but something went wrong. We played 11 very good players but they had not played together often before so they lacked understanding."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments