Crossword Genius

Direct football close to perfection (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

run

'direct' is the definition.
(running is a kind of directing)

'football close to perfection' is the wordplay.
'football' becomes 'RU' (rugby union - type of rugby football).
'close to' indicates one should take the final letters (the close of something is the end).
The final letter of 'perfection' is 'n'.
'ru'+'n'='RUN'

(Other definitions for run that I've seen before include "Administer" , "Unbroken series" , "Take flight" , "trip" , "Ladder - manage - sprint - flow" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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