INSIDE SPORT: Clubs on alert over threat of fires caused by massage oil after series of incidents, while broad - Daily Mail

[Mike Keegan]

• A fire broke out in the laundry room at Luton Town's stadium Kenilworth Road
• Regular washes have struggled to remove residue, leading towels to combust
• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Chris Sutton explains the harsh reality of being a manager: 'I wasted a year of my life!'

By MIKE KEEGAN

Published: 16:15 EDT, 4 May 2025 | Updated: 17:19 EDT, 4 May 2025


Football clubs are on alert over the threat of fires caused by massage oil. Inside Sport understands an alarm has been raised after a series of incidents, including a fire in the laundry room at Luton's Kenilworth Road.

The issue stems from the growing demand from players for rub downs, and the effect of the massage oils used seeping into towels.

Regular detergents and wash cycles struggle to remove the residue and towels have been spontaneously combusting inside tumble dryers. Clubs have increased the level of detergent used, and tried heavy-duty programmes.

However, there are concerns that even by taking such measures, elements of the potentially dangerous residue will remain.

The issue is commonplace in the world of spas, but it is thought to be the first time the problem has been identified at football clubs.

On the eve of Luton's Championship clash with Coventry last month, three fire crews tackled a blaze from a tumble dryer in their laundry room. Hatters Way was closed with hoses and a thermal imaging camera used to contain the spread.

Broadcasters to be given more bang for their buck

Cameramen are set to be allowed on to the pitch during Premier League games next season to film goal celebrations.

Those using 'Steadicams', who often enter the field at the final whistle, will be allowed to do so while the game is taking place as part of a plan to give broadcasters more bang for their buck.

Meanwhile, radio commentators and pundits are expected to be permitted to film their reactions to goals and big moments in press boxes every week - with the influence of fan channels seemingly making its presence felt.

Leeds deja vu over stadium expansion plans

Leeds fans could have been forgiven for having a sense of deja vu when images of the planned extension of Elland Road were released last week.

A video of the proposed work, which would see the north and west stands expanded and the ground's capacity raised from 37,645 to around 56,500, was unveiled by designers KSS. While impressive, eagle-eyed Leeds supporters may have noted that the designs look almost identical to the work carried out when Anfield's main stand and Anfield Road stand were similarly expanded.

The designers at Liverpool? KSS…

Championship kick-off record

A dramatic final day in the Championship saw referees ordered to synchronise kick-off times for the first and second-halves at nine out of 12 matches.

On a drama-filled final day with questions to be answered at both ends of the table, two-thirds of matches kicked off at the same time - the highest number in memory.

Unwitting Crawley star makes history

He may not have realised it, but according to an American statistician, Crawley Town's Max Anderson made history at the weekend.

Soren Elbech - a US banker known online as the 17 Laws Guy - worked out that Anderson's 60th-minute strike at Shrewsbury was the 600,000th goal scored in English league football since it began in 1888.

Red Devils rush for Bilbao tickets

Manchester United fans appear to have wasted little time in booking travel for a return to Bilbao for the Europa League final after their 3-0 win against Athletic in the semi-final first leg.

An Easyjet direct flight, which can often be snapped up for less than £100, was going for no less than £1,178, while indirect flights via Germany were around the £1,000 mark.

Even some ferry crossings from Portsmouth, which take around 32 to 36 hours, were coming in at £994.

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