Thumbs up for Wembley

There was more good news for the Wembley project today as Mayor of London Ken Livingstone was given the go-ahead to award £21 million towards the £715m cost of the new stadium.

The money is part of a £40m package set aside by Livingstone and the Government to make sure the neighbouring stations, roads and infrastructure are up to standard.

The development comes as the Football Association prepares for tomorrow's announcement that it is close to securing a £485m deal with a German bank to fund the scheme.

It is also expected that the FA will announce it has passed the four other tests set by Culture Secretary-Tessa Jowell last December.

Indeed, approval of Livingstone's £21m grant is proof that it has met the Government's requirements on value for money, accountability, athletics capability and corporate management.

Standard Sport has obtained a letter confirming approval of the grant from William Arnold, director of the Department of Trade and Industry, to Tony Winterbottom at Livingstone's London Development Agency.

In it Arnold says: "Based on the information you have provided in your letter and appraisal, and our assessment and consideration of the factors outlined above, approval is hereby granted."