Wonderful to see Uefa president Michel Platini congratulating himself on persuading the Russian authorities to waive visa requirements for fans going to the Champions League final in Moscow. It is a reminder of what a selfless job his organisation does in organising Europe’s showpiece match, which this year takes us to a city with 35,000 hotel beds to cater for 42,000 travelling fans. Still, I am sure Uefa’s corporate guests will find somewhere to lay their heads.

Mike Hill, Formby, near Liverpool

All the hype over Chelsea and Manchester United reaching the Champions League final and the claims of the Premier League being the best in the world show how money papers over cracks. Most top clubs import foreign players to buy success, which means home coaching of promising young players has become unnecessary. The Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, consisting mainly of home-grown players, thumped Bayern Munich 4-0 in the semi-final of the Uefa Cup, to show what can be done.

John Gilmore, Chantilly, France

One can only hope the Champions League final is better than last year’s FA Cup final at Wembley, which was one of the worst in the competition’s history.

David Peet, Up Holland, Wigan

Why should all football managers come from a footballing background? Commercial managers with leadership skills, man-management talent, organisational ability and results-driven energy should be given the chance.

Joe Cushnan, Worksop

Go on, Rod Liddle, please predict Blackburn Rovers will be relegated next season so that we can plan our party early.

Roy Winkley, Blackburn

So Michael Vaughan wants the County Championship reduced to 10 matches per season. Why should it concern him? The England captain hardly plays for Yorkshire once the Tests begin.

Tim Mickleburgh, Grimsby

Simon Wilde points to Mark Ramprakash’s modest Test record as a reason for not recalling him (last week), but he came into the England side in 1991 against one of the most ferocious West Indies attacks. His temperament may have held him back, although one was never sure whether it was because of the indifference shown towards him by the selectors or if it was something in him.

Allan Palmer, via e-mail

I wince every time I hear sports commentators pronounce Mascherano as if he were a fugitive from M*A*S*H. And why can’t they get ShaRApova right?

Victor Ross, Great Chart, Kent

Please do not spoil any more of my Sunday mornings by replacing Hugh McIlvanney with Rod Liddle. It is like turning up at the Sistine Chapel to find the ceiling has been emulsioned over by the local painter and decorator. The saddest words in sport? Hugh McIlvanney is away.

Peter Richards, Wigan

Write to: The Sports Editor (Letters), The Sunday Times, 1 Pennington St, London E98 1ST, or via e-mail: sportletters@ sunday-times.co.uk (keep letters short and include postal address)

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