Meanwhile the bigger picture looks troubled, with the World Cup mired in controversy and the very future of the Commonwealth Games in doubt.
Political parties and football teams have similarities. They are groups of individuals combined for a single purpose: to win and keep winning. For the former, by achieving power and delivering in government; for the latter, by scoring goals.
Beyond the World Cup, the emirate is buying its way into our university, school, and sporting systems. But at what cost?
The tendency of people in politics to think of everything through a political prism is mistaken. The star dust of sporting triumph does not rub off on politicians.
We need to allocate funds from the Sports Premium and the Sugar Tax to open up school sports facilities and playing fields.
Plus: The Sports Minister speaks to a stranger on the tube. Phone-in callers back Universal Credit. And: It’s Coming Home, It’s Coming Home, It’s Coming Home…
Rees-Mogg on Cabinet indiscipline, how May could survive Brexit defeat, and why he is “very unlikely” to be the next Prime Minister. And: is the World Cup coming home?
The Scottish Nationalists’ electoral performance is at risk of coming to resemble the Scottish football team’s. Might there be a rebellion?
Rees-Mogg argues “the upskirting ban should have been a Government Bill” from the outset, not left to backbenchers. Plus: is he watching the World Cup?
A grant from the Government for bridge in state schools and the development of junior international players has tremendous potential to benefit young people intellectually and socially, and provide the opportunity to bring together those from a variety of diverse backgrounds at relatively little cost.