Rachael Anderson, some will remember, was being escorted into the annual Professional Footballers Association awards (PFA) in London by Mike Ruddock when she was told by a suit that she could not come in as the ceremony was an male-only event. Anderson is an agent and Ruddock one of her clients. She is also a journalist and member of the NUJ, the journalist's union. Naturally Anderson felt aggrieved at the snub so, she took them to court.

Her sex discrimination action now looks like it will have wider repercussions. If the judges rule, in the London County Court on November 9th, that there is a case to answer then Anderson's lawyers will pursue the PFA for acting in a way contrary to its membership of the TUC union. The case is receiving support from Britain's sports minister, Tony Banks, and Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

The PFA, however, say that they will vigorously defend the case, arguing that the awards event is a private members' occasion (which excludes women) rather than a public meeting. Yawn. . .