West Ham United are in advanced talks with US private equity fund Monarch Collective over a potential investment in the club’s women’s team, according to The Guardian.

Monarch is interested in acquiring a 49 per cent stake in a deal that would value the team at around £55 million. This would add to the US fund’s previous investments into the NWSL’s San Diego Wave and Boston Legacy.

If a deal is reached, the WSL side’s current owners - David Sullivan, Daniel Kretinsky, and the David Gold family - would retain a controlling interest in the team.

US investment in the WSL

Earlier this year, WSL champions Chelsea became the first English women’s team to receive US investment, when the team sold a ten per cent, reported £20 million stake to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, which valued it at £245 million.

Elsewhere in the top tier of English women’s football, Aston Villa have reportedly held discussions with prospective US investors over a ten per cent stake in their women’s team, which was sold to the club’s V Sports ownership group in June.
 

Olympique de Marseille receive €94.5 million capital increase

Olympique de Marseille owner Frank McCourt has raised a capital increase of €94.5 million for the French club at its general meeting on 27th June, according to French publication Sportune.

The fresh funding enabled Marseille’s share capital to increase from €80.3 million to €174.8 million, and is intended to help offset the club’s debt.

Marseille now have a total share count of 17.48 billion, following the issuance of 9.45 billion new shares after the capital increase.

US businessman McCourt first acquired the club in 2016 for a reported €45 million. However, since his arrival, Marseille have made cumulative losses of more than €500 million.

Marseille’s financial situation

According to Sportune, the club made a net loss of €60 million for the 2024/25 financial year, which ended on 30th June.

The club’s revenue meanwhile saw a 37 per cent decrease to €181.66 million, primarily due to their absence from the Champions League.
 

Serie A defends plans for overseas game after criticism

Serie A has defended its plans to stage an overseas match in Australia, following criticism from European Commissioner for Sport, Glenn Micallef.

The Italian top flight is aiming to bring this season’s AC Milan vs Como 1907 matchup to Perth, marking the league’s first overseas fixture. Last month, the Italian Football Association (FIGC) approved proposals for the game to be held at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium next February, which are now pending final approval.

However, in a series of posts shared to X on Wednesday, Micallef condemned the notion of a match outside of Europe, stating that he was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the proposals.

He said: ‘To me it’s clear: European competitions must be played in Europe. European football must stay in Europe.

‘Moving competitions abroad isn’t innovation, it’s betrayal.’

League ‘astonished’ by criticism

In response, Serie A said it was ‘astonished’ by Micallef’s comments in a statement also shared on the social media platform.

The statement read: ‘Taking a match abroad does not mean exporting the championship, but rather introducing new audiences to the excellence of Italian football, strengthening the competitiveness of the system and generating resources that have a positive impact on the entire movement.'

‘Serie A will continue to work to combine local roots with international openness, fully aware of its role in promoting Italian football.’
 

Renovation of Napoli’s Maradona Stadium to take up to 740 days

The renovation of the third tier of Napoli’s Maradona Stadium could take up to 740 days to complete, according to Italian media.

In a document shared by Il Mattino, the Naples City Council’s Transport Commission told the Sports Building Service and Infrastructure Department of Palazzo San Giacomo: ‘240 days are needed for the execution of the works and over 500 to complete the bureaucratic procedures.’

With a capacity of 54,726, the Maradona Stadium is the fourth largest venue in Italy, with the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, hopeful of the city staging matches during the UEFA Euro 2032 championships, which will be held in Italy in Turkey.

Despite being given a duration of more than two years, infrastructure Councillor Edoardo Cosenza reassures that ‘the works will last much less’. However, in order for the project to begin, the municipality and club will need to strike an agreement for the city to host matches during Euro 2032.

Criticism of Italian football’s infrastructure

Earlier this week, Serie A president Ezio Simonelli raised concerns over the current state of Italian football stadiums ahead of Euro 2032, which could lead to the country’s removal as a co-host of the tournament.

During an interview with Italian radio station Radio Rai 1, he said Italy’s stadiums are “in a comatose state” with the Exception of Udine, Bergamo and Turin.

Former FC Barcelona and Inter Milan star Samuel Eto’o is facing legal action for a range of alleged offences during his tenure as the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

These include allegations of corruption and match fixing, as well as the diversion of $1.5 million in funds from friendly matches, and electoral manipulation.

A coalition of Cameroonian players has filed a lawsuit with the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education of Cameroon (MINSEP), the FIFA Ethics Committee, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and is being represented by international lawyer Emmanuel Nsahlai.

The case also claims electoral manipulation, and silencing of opposition, after a decade-long suspension was handed to Executive Committee member Guibai Gatama.

Eto’o, who has served as the president of the FECAFOOT since 2021, was previously given a 22-month suspended sentence in Spain, after pleading guilty to a £3.2 million tax fraud during his time at FC Barcelona.

“Rescuing the governance of Cameroonian football”

“This is not an attack on Samuel Eto'o as a player. His football career is untouchable,” Nsahlai said.

“This is about rescuing the governance of Cameroonian football so that it represents the values of excellence, integrity, and fair play that he himself championed on the field. My duty, as a lawyer and a Cameroonian, is to fight for a federation that serves the people, the players, and the future of the sport.”
 

John Textor set for Sheffield Wednesday takeover talks

US businessman and former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is set for takeover talks with Sheffield Wednesday owner Dejphon Chansiri, according to The Guardian.

The Thai businessman, who has owned the Championship club since 2015, is under fire from supporters and was the subject of protests during Sheffield Wednesday’s Carabao Cup match against Leeds United on Tuesday, when thousands of the team’s fans refused to attend.

Recently, the club has been embroiled in controversy, after failing to pay players on time for three successive months between May and July. This resulted in multiple player contract terminations at their own behest, as well as the departure of former manager Danny Rohl.

Wednesday are also under a transfer embargo from the EFL, which will remain in place until 2027.

Chansiri seeking £100 million

The Yorkshire club have set an asking price of £100 million, however it is unclear as to whether Textor is prepared to meet this.

Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that Textor had teamed up with football financier Keith Harris in his bid to take over Wednesday, but he has ultimately decided against involving Harris in the deal.
 

Bill Foley set to add Croatian club to growing ownership portfolio

AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is set to acquire Croatian club HNK Rijeka, according to Croatian media.

If confirmed, this would see Rijeka join the ownership portfolio of the US businessman’s Black Knight Football Club, which includes the aforementioned Bournemouth, alongside Auckland, Portuguese club Moreirense, Scottish side Hibernian, and Ligue 1’s Lorient.

Rijeka, who are reigning Croatian champions, are owned by businessman Samir Miskovic.

Unclear ownership structure

It is currently unclear whether Foley will acquire Miskovic’s 70 per cent majority stake, or if he will become a co-owner of Rijeka.

The takeover could be complete within the next two weeks.
 

Indian FA facing suspension by FIFA and AFC

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is facing a suspension from both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) if it fails to adopt a new constitution by 30th October, according to Indian media.

In a letter addressed to IAFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Wednesday, FIFA and the AFC expressed a “profound concern” over the federation’s failure to finalise its new constitution.

The two governing bodies cited a “continued failure to finalise and implement the revised Constitution of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), a matter that has remained under consideration since proceedings before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in 2017.”

In the event of suspension, all national and club teams would be unable to compete in international competitions, which would hinder India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Second suspension in two years

If implemented, a potential ban would be the second given to the IAFF within the last three years. In 2022, the organisation was suspended by FIFA for third-party interference, after it was run temporarily by a Committee of Administrators (CoA) appointed by the Supreme Court.

This was however overturned days later, when the IAFF opted to hold elections.

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Fabio Paratici for him to resume an official role as Sporting Director, with the Italian expected to be in place no later than 1 October, according to talkSPORT.

The 53-year-old stepped down in April 2023 after FIFA extended his 30-month ban from Italian football to a worldwide suspension. The sanction followed Juventus, his former club, being found guilty of false accounting – a case which led to multiple executives receiving bans and the Serie A side suffering a 15-point deduction.

FIFA later reduced Paratici’s suspension, allowing him to return to work earlier than anticipated. Over the summer, he has already been operating as a consultant at Spurs, maintaining close contact with chairman Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, and technical director Johan Lange.

Recruitment back under Paratici’s control

Paratici will now formally return as Sporting Director, once again taking charge of recruitment. During his first spell at the club between 2021 and 2023, he oversaw the signings of Cristian Romero – now club captain – along with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Earlier this year, Paratici was also linked with AC Milan’s sporting director vacancy, holding several meetings before the club appointed Igli Tare instead.

Brazilian forward Ribeiro terminates contract, looks to capitalise on Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA

Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has terminated his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, and is taking his legal case against the South African club to the FIFA Football Tribunal, according to a report from BBC Sport.

The 26-year-old is being represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who says that although the Sundowns received an offer “well above the player’s valuation” from Qatar SC, the club prevented a transfer from materialising after repeatedly asking the Qatari side to increase the fee.

Last week, former France footballer Lassana Diarra revealed he was seeking £56 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after winning his case against football’s global governing body last October, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s rules were in breach of EU laws.

Ribeiro’s case bolstered by Diarra’s victory

Following the outcome of the Diarra case, FIFA amended its transfer regulations in December, with Ribeiro hoping to capitalise on this, following his collapsed move to Qatar.

He said in a statement: “Following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind.

“Indeed, following its own regulations, FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.”

Chelsea and Liverpool at odds over Rio Ngumoha compensation

Chelsea and Liverpool have yet to agree on compensation for Rio Ngumoha, who signed for the Premier League champions in July 2024, The Telegraph has reported.

Later this week, the 16-year-old will be eligible to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 on Friday.

Earlier this week, Ngumoha made his debut for Liverpool, scoring the winning goal in the club’s 3-2 win against Newcastle United.

Chelsea want deal to act as a ‘deterrent’

The two clubs remain at odds regarding a fee, with no agreement reached since his move to Anfield from Chelsea’s academy last summer.

Chelsea are holding out for a higher fee, in order to deter clubs from targeting their academy players in the future.

Orlegi Sports to invest €11 million into Sporting Gijon to help promotion push

Orlegi Sports is set to invest €11 million into Spanish club Sporting Gijon through a participating loan, as reported by 2Playbook.

The loan is set to be approved during an extraordinary general meeting on 26th September.

The fresh funding is intended to help bolster Gijon’s playing squad, as the club eyes a return to LaLiga.

Gijon’s owners

In 2022, the Mexican group acquired a 73 per cent majority stake in the Spanish club, which joined its roster of football teams that includes Brazilian club Santos Laguna.

The new investment into Gijon comes after Orlegi Sports put Mexican side Atlas FC up for sale last month, due to Liga MX’s clampdown on multi-club ownership.

FC Köln not seeking legal action against FIFA after all

German club FC Köln will not seek legal action or compensation from FIFA, as reported by Kicker.

In 2023, the Bundesliga club received a two-window transfer ban from FIFA, which was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

This came after Köln were found guilty of encouraging youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik to breach his contract in order to sign for them, with the club unable to register new players for the duration of 2024 in light of the ban.

Considered legal case

The transfer embargo was lifted early following a new ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) last December, two months after Lassana Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA prompted changes to the organisation’s transfer regulations.

Köln did consider taking legal action, but ultimately decided against it, as chances of a legal victory appeared unlikely.

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Fabio Paratici for him to resume an official role as Sporting Director, with the Italian expected to be in place no later than 1 October, according to talkSPORT.

The 53-year-old stepped down in April 2023 after FIFA extended his 30-month ban from Italian football to a worldwide suspension. The sanction followed Juventus, his former club, being found guilty of false accounting – a case which led to multiple executives receiving bans and the Serie A side suffering a 15-point deduction.

FIFA later reduced Paratici’s suspension, allowing him to return to work earlier than anticipated. Over the summer, he has already been operating as a consultant at Spurs, maintaining close contact with chairman Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, and technical director Johan Lange.

Recruitment back under Paratici’s control

Paratici will now formally return as Sporting Director, once again taking charge of recruitment. During his first spell at the club between 2021 and 2023, he oversaw the signings of Cristian Romero – now club captain – along with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Earlier this year, Paratici was also linked with AC Milan’s sporting director vacancy, holding several meetings before the club appointed Igli Tare instead.

Brazilian forward Ribeiro terminates contract, looks to capitalise on Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA

Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has terminated his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, and is taking his legal case against the South African club to the FIFA Football Tribunal, according to a report from BBC Sport.

The 26-year-old is being represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who says that although the Sundowns received an offer “well above the player’s valuation” from Qatar SC, the club prevented a transfer from materialising after repeatedly asking the Qatari side to increase the fee.

Last week, former France footballer Lassana Diarra revealed he was seeking £56 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after winning his case against football’s global governing body last October, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s rules were in breach of EU laws.

Ribeiro’s case bolstered by Diarra’s victory

Following the outcome of the Diarra case, FIFA amended its transfer regulations in December, with Ribeiro hoping to capitalise on this, following his collapsed move to Qatar.

He said in a statement: “Following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind.

“Indeed, following its own regulations, FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.”

Chelsea and Liverpool at odds over Rio Ngumoha compensation

Chelsea and Liverpool have yet to agree on compensation for Rio Ngumoha, who signed for the Premier League champions in July 2024, The Telegraph has reported.

Later this week, the 16-year-old will be eligible to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 on Friday.

Earlier this week, Ngumoha made his debut for Liverpool, scoring the winning goal in the club’s 3-2 win against Newcastle United.

Chelsea want deal to act as a ‘deterrent’

The two clubs remain at odds regarding a fee, with no agreement reached since his move to Anfield from Chelsea’s academy last summer.

Chelsea are holding out for a higher fee, in order to deter clubs from targeting their academy players in the future.

Orlegi Sports to invest €11 million into Sporting Gijon to help promotion push

Orlegi Sports is set to invest €11 million into Spanish club Sporting Gijon through a participating loan, as reported by 2Playbook.

The loan is set to be approved during an extraordinary general meeting on 26th September.

The fresh funding is intended to help bolster Gijon’s playing squad, as the club eyes a return to LaLiga.

Gijon’s owners

In 2022, the Mexican group acquired a 73 per cent majority stake in the Spanish club, which joined its roster of football teams that includes Brazilian club Santos Laguna.

The new investment into Gijon comes after Orlegi Sports put Mexican side Atlas FC up for sale last month, due to Liga MX’s clampdown on multi-club ownership.

FC Köln not seeking legal action against FIFA after all

German club FC Köln will not seek legal action or compensation from FIFA, as reported by Kicker.

In 2023, the Bundesliga club received a two-window transfer ban from FIFA, which was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

This came after Köln were found guilty of encouraging youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik to breach his contract in order to sign for them, with the club unable to register new players for the duration of 2024 in light of the ban.

Considered legal case

The transfer embargo was lifted early following a new ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) last December, two months after Lassana Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA prompted changes to the organisation’s transfer regulations.

Köln did consider taking legal action, but ultimately decided against it, as chances of a legal victory appeared unlikely.

Serie A president Ezio Simonelli has revealed LaLiga was “opposed” to closing the summer transfer window before the new season kicks off, in a wide-ranging interview on Italian radio.

According to Simonelli, four of Europe’s ‘Big Five’ leagues supported the notion, with the exception of the Spanish top flight, despite Serie A, the Premier League, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 all being in favour.

Speaking to Radio Rai 1, he said: “We tried to close the transfer window before the start of the season. I personally went to London to meet with Premier League CEO Richard Master. England, Germany, and France agreed, but Spain opposed it.”

He continued: “Since the leagues are interconnected, if we don't make a decision together, it can't be done. We would run the risk of losing a player without being able to replace him. We're working on it; we hope to convince [LaLiga president Javier Tebas] next year, a very intelligent but also very difficult person.”

Italian stadiums in a “comatose state”

Also during the interview, the 67-year-old revealed he is “worried” about the state of Italy’s stadiums ahead of the UEFA Euro 2032 championships, which could jeopardise the country’s status as a co-host of the tournament alongside Turkey.

Conceding that there is a “risk” of Italy being removed as a host, Simonelli said: “Our stadiums are in a comatose state, I'm worried. Revocation of the candidacy for Euro 2032? There's a risk.”

He added: “Udine is an example of excellence; its Bluenergy Stadium has made us look great. It's a shame, however, that beyond Udine, Bergamo, and Turin, the rest of our stadiums are in a comatose state.”

Premier League clubs to miss out on £100 million in sponsorship revenue from betting deals

Premier League clubs are set to miss out on a combined £100 million in revenue from betting sponsors from the start of next season, The Athletic has reported.

From the 2026/27 campaign, teams will be unable to sign front-of-shirt deals with gambling companies, as part of a clampdown on betting sponsorship within football.

At present, 11 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs have a principal partnership with a betting company. Namely, these, include Aston Villa, West Ham United, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brentford, Bournemouth, Burnley and Sunderland.

Value could be halved

The number of teams with betting shirt sponsors has increased from eight in 2023, when clubs first agreed to the new regulations.

Despite the ban, gambling firms will still be able to receive promotion on kit sleeves, as well as on training apparel, and in stadiums. However, The Athletic forecasts that the valuation of some betting deals in the Premier League could be halved over the next year.

Next FIFA Club World Cup to take place in summer 2029 as Qatar loses out

FIFA has informed continental confederations that the next Club World Cup will take place in summer 2029, as reported by The Guardian.

This dampens Qatar’s hopes of hosting the next edition of the tournament, with the Gulf state previously holding talks over staging the competition according to reports in June.

Football’s global governing body is also likely to expand the tournament once more, this time increasing to 48 teams.

Future Club World Cup plans

The most recent Club World Cup, which took place earlier this summer, comprised 32 teams for the first time, up from seven teams in previous editions.

Earlier this month, The Guardian also revealed that FIFA was considering switching the competition to a biennial format, which could take effect from 2029.

Borussia Dortmund president Dr Reinhold Lunow will step down from his role in November, the Bundesliga club announced.

The 72-year-old, who was set to run for the next presidency at Dortmund, has now renounced his candidacy and left the race.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, who announced his candidacy earlier this month, is now the only remaining candidate to become the club's next president, with the election set to take place at the team’s general meeting in November.

Lunow has served as the German side’s president since taking over from Reinhard Rauball in 2022.

Decision followed “detailed discussions” with Watzke

In a statement, Lunow said: “I initially felt that it was necessary to run for re-election.

“In detailed discussions with Hans-Joachim Watzke, who has expressed an interest in the presidency, I received his promise that he would take the above points into account if he were elected club president.

“On the basis of this pledge, I feel confident that my concerns will be addressed and can hand over my duties with a clear conscience.”

 

Premier League scores record US audience for opening weekend of 2025/26

The opening Premier League weekend of the 2025/26 season generated an average of 850,000 viewers across six matches on NBC platforms, setting a US viewership record for the opening fixture round.

According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics data, last weekend’s viewership marks a four per cent increase on the previous record of 820,000 viewers, which was set in 2024.

Comcast-owned NBC has been the longtime home of the English top flight in the US, since first acquiring rights to the league in 2013. Under the current agreement, signed in 2022, the network is reportedly paying $450 million annually for Premier League rights.

United vs Arsenal opener reaches 2 million

Meanwhile, Manchester United’s matchup against Arsenal reached an average audience of 2 million, the highest ever for an opening weekend game in the US.

The game delivered the second largest ever audience for a Premier League fixture in North America, behind Manchester City’s clash with Arsenal in March 2024, which posted an average viewership of 2.1 million.

 

Bayern Munich sign ‘€65 million a year’ extension with Deutsche Telekom until 2032

Bayern Munich have inked an extension of the club’s longstanding main shirt partnership with Deutsche Telekom, which will run until 2032.

The renewal is worth €65 million per season according to mediareports, marking an increase of 30 per cent on their current contract, which is reportedly worth around €50 million per year.

The longstanding partnership, which dates back to 2002, also includes brand visibility throughout the club’s Allianz Arena home, as well as youth football and esports activations, and naming rights to friendly matches.

Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “The ‘T’ on our chest symbolises tradition, team spirit and numerous shared titles. This partnership is one of the most enduring in the Bundesliga and a prime example of credibility in professional sport.

“It has given us stability for over 20 years; we share values such as cooperation, growth and innovative spirit, and we are very much looking forward to continuing to bring these values to life in the future.”

Emirates interest

Deutsche Telekom managed to fend off significant interest from UAE airline Emirates in becoming the new shirt sponsor of the Bundesliga champions.

Earlier this month, Bayern confirmed a reported €5 million a year deal with Emirates, which will also run until 2032.

The Premier League’s transfer spending has reached a record £2.37 billion for this summer’s window, following Leeds United’s signing of Noah Okafor from AC Milan.

This eclipses the previous record of £2.36 billion, which was set in 2023, with ten days yet to come until the end of the window.

Several Premier League teams have broken their club transfer records this summer, including Brentford, Burnley, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool.

Wirtz transfer could set new record

The transfer of German international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool could set a new Premier League transfer record, if add-ons are met.

As reported by BBC Sport, the deal included £100 million, plus a further £16 million in add-ons, which if realised would take the fee beyond the current record of £107 million, when Enzo Fernandez signed for Chelsea in 2023.

LFP Media dismisses reports of Canal+ distribution deal, threatens legal action

LFP Media has dismissed reports of a distribution agreement for the new Ligue 1+ channel with Canal+, and are threatening the broadcaster with legal action, as reported by L’Équipe.

Earlier this week, L’Équipe claimed that a proposed deal between the two parties had fallen through, with the network refusing to back down from a longstanding legal dispute, in which it is seeking €600 million in compensation from LFP.

In a letter addressed to Canal+ president Maxime Saada, LFP Media’s head of legal affairs, Douglas Lowenstein refuted the notion that any such deal was ever in place.

This comes after last week’s successful launch of the new over-the-top (OTT) platform, which garnered more than 600,000 subscriptions during the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season.

‘Distortions of the reality of the facts’

In response to recent reports, Lowenstein cited ‘a large number of errors, inaccuracies, and distortions of the reality of the facts, of our exchanges, and of the course of the discussions that took place’.

The letter also threatens Canal+ with legal action if the broadcaster continues to suggest that a distribution agreement for Ligue 1+ ever existed.

FC Barcelona have acknowledged deficiencies within the Camp Nou, ahead of their return to the iconic venue for their home clash against Valencia on 14th September, according to Catalan radio station RAC1.

There are concerns regarding the iconic stadiums main stand and south goal, which are set to hold 27,000 spectators when the venue reopens.

The LaLiga champions are renegotiating with the Barcelona City Council over a new date for a final completion certificate, which is not expected to be finalised this week.

The Camp Nou’s €1.5 billion redevelopment began in June 2023, with a phased return initially slated for November 2024, however this has since been subject to delays.

Considering Olympic Stadium

In case the necessary permits are not processed in time, Barcelona have been in talks with Barcelona Serveis Municipals over staging their 14th September fixture at the Olympic Stadium, where the team have played for the past two seasons during the Camp Nou’s renovation.

However, this could probe problematic, with the 55,926-seat stadium set to host a concert just two days prior on 12th September.

Valencia secure capital from Japanese bank in €322 million stadium financing deal

Valencia CF have secured funding from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) for the construction of the club’s new stadium, as reported by Spanish publication Expansion.

In June, the club announced that it had secured €322 million in financing for the Nou Mestalla, which is set to be complete in 2027.

That figure reportedly comprises 28-year bonds worth €237 million, as well as a five-year €85 million loan.

First private Japanese investment

In the documents submitted by Valencia to Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), MUFG Bank was listed as a creditor alongside Goldman Sachs. This marks the first investment of private Japanese capital into a LaLiga club.

The debt structure has a fixed rate of 5.82 per cent, with a final maturity date of 28th May 2075.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS counter sues Spurs for £1 million

Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned petrochemicals firm INEOS is counter suing Tottenham Hotspur for more than £1 million, The Telegraph has reported.

In 2022, INEOS signed a five-year, reported £17.5 million partnership that designated the INEOS Grenadier as the Premier League club’s official 4x4 vehicle partner.

That deal was terminated in March, after the company failed to pay a £5 million instalment due on 1st December 2024.

Three months later, Spurs initiated legal action against INEOS, seeking £11 million in damages.

INEOS’ case against Spurs

According to legal papers filed with the UK’s High Court last week, INEOS is claiming that Spurs started negotiating with a ‘major competitor’, Audi, around the time of Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich in August 2023.

Although no such partnership between Spurs and Audi came to fruition, INEOS are alleging that the club breached their contract, meaning the company had grounds to terminate the deal after three years.

LFP Media’s distribution agreement with Canal+ for the new Ligue 1+ channel has fallen through, as reported by L’Équipe.

Last week saw the launch of the new in-house over-the-top (OTT) platform Ligue 1+ for the start of the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season. Canal+ was set to become a new distributor of the channel as early as the next fixture round.

During negotiations, LFP Media asked Canal+ to drop their longstanding legal case against Ligue 1+. But the French broadcaster rejected and is still seeking €600 million in compensation due to a dispute dating back to the 2021-2024 media rights cycle.

Despite the deal falling through, LFP Media have resumed talks with stakeholders over potential distribution agreements.

New platform surpasses 600,000 subscribers

During the opening weekend, Ligue 1+ accumulated 600,000 subscribers, LFP Media CEO Nicolas de Tavernost told L’Équipe.

According to de Tavernost, the platform has already reached the same number of subscriptions as the previous DAZN platform throughout the 2024/25 campaign, before the termination of their broadcast rights partnership.

“We already have more than 600,000 subscribers and we think that we will do in a single day of the Championship, the first day, what was done over the whole of the previous season,” he said.
 

Crystal Palace to appoint Matt Hobbs as new sporting director

Crystal Palace are set to appoint Matt Hobbs as the club’s new sporting director, The Athletic has reported.

Hobbs previously served in the same role at fellow Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, having spent more than a decade at Molineux before his departure in June.

The 45-year-old will replace Palace’s former sporting director, Dougie Freedman, who left the club in March following an eight-year tenure in South London.

Removing uncertainty over replacement

As reported by BBC Sport earlier this week, there had been some uncertainty over whether Palace would be directly replacing Freedman, with recruitment consultant Iain Moody and assistant sporting director Ben Stevens taking on his duties since he left to join Saudi club Al-Diriyah.

With Hobbs on board, his appointment will ease the workload on Stevens, as he looks to bolster the club’s player recruitment after a quiet summer transfer window.
 

Hull City Fee Restriction reduced to two windows

Hull City have had their Fee Restriction reduced from three windows to two, with one suspended, following an appeal to EFL's Club Financial Review Panel.

In July, the Championship club were handed a three-window Fee Restriction, preventing the Yorkshire side from signing new players on loan or on permanent deals that involved a fee. 

Earlier this year, the club pulled out of a proposed permanent transfer of Louie Barry from Aston Villa, after Hull were unable to cover the £1 million loan payments from last season.

If Hull default on any payments for more than seven days before 1st July 2026, the suspended window will be triggered by the EFL.

“Challenges will never break us”

In a statement responding to the EFL’s ruling, Hull City Said: “As we have demonstrated in recent weeks, we still remain able to sign players - either on loan or as free agents.

“We want to take this moment to sincerely thank all our fans for their unwavering support during these challenging times.

“Challenges will never break us; they only make us stronger.”
 

Saint-Étienne to allow fans to acquire €19.33 shares

AS Saint-Étienne fans will be able to acquire shares in the French club, following approval from its board of directors.

Until 12th September, adult supporters of the Ligue 2 side can purchase minority stakes in the club for €19.33, in tribute to the year of Saint-Étienne’s inception in 1933. Meanwhile, young fans aged under 18 will be able to buy shares from €6.

This move is intended to generate €150,000 for €120,000 worth of shares. Saint-Étienne have become the sixth French team to allow fan investment, following SC Bastia, Sochaux-Montbéliard, FC Rouen 1899, EA Guingamp, and Nîmes Olympique.

Last year, the club were subject to a reported €20 million takeover by Canadian investment group Kilmer Sports Ventures (KSV).

Fans to own a “piece” of the club

“It's symbolic, but this little piece of [Saint-Étienne] is worth a lot to the fans," said Jérémy Chatonnier, president of Saint-Étienne supporters group Socios Verts.

“Our message: let the Greens respond to the meeting, and we, the board, will respond.”

Former France midfielder Lassana Diarra is seeking €65 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after initiating new legal action against football’s global governing body.

Diarra, who has a longstanding dispute with FIFA, won his legal battle against the organisation in October 2024, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s regulations on player transfers were in violation of EU legislation.

In 2014, the now 40-year-old had his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow terminated, with FIFA subsequently ordering him to pay €10.5 million in compensation to the Russian club for breaching his contract. In its verdict last year, the CJEU found that FIFA had prevented the “free movement of professional footballers” for not issuing Diarra with an international transfer certificate (ITC) for his proposed move to Belgian Pro League club Charleroi.

The Frenchman, who previously played for English clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth, has the support of global players’ union FIFPRO, as well as France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP).

"Culture of contempt”

In a statement announcing further legal proceedings, Diarra cited a “culture of contempt”, in FIFA’s failure to reach a settlement.
He said: “I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years.

“I am doing this for myself. But I have also done it for all the up and coming, lesser known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges.”
 

FIFA ‘considering’ biennial Club World Cup

FIFA is considering moving the Club World Cup to a biennial format, according to The Guardian. Football’s global governing body is said to be ‘under pressure’ from some clubs over switching to a two-year Club World Cup cycle.

In June, Real Madrid made a proposal that the competition adopt a biennial format, which was backed by Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli.

Earlier this summer, FIFA held its first edition of the tournament under an expanded, 32-team format, offering a prize purse of $1 billion, including $115 million for eventual winners Chelsea.

FIFA ‘not considering’ 2027 Club World Cup

Although there is ‘no serious consideration’ within FIFA over staging another Club World Cup in 2027, a potential switch to a two-year cycle would ‘likely’ take place from 2029. FIFA is currently engaged in a longstanding dispute with international players’ union FIFPRO, which recently voiced concerns over the expanded tournament, amid an increasingly congested playing calendar.

The Guardian previously reported that the organisation is also considering increasing the number of teams to 48 for the next instalment of the Club World Cup.
 

CF Intercity set for vote on €60 million investment

Fourth-tier Spanish club CF Intercity have called for vote on proposed investment of €60 million in an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on 15th September.

If approved, this would see the issuing of €60 million in bonds, which would be convertible into club shares, alongside an additional €12 million in warrants, which could also be converted into company shares.

Both of these transactions would open the door for new investors in the club, allowing it to bolster its financial stability and invest in infrastructure.

Alicante Park development

€33 million of the new funding would be invested into the construction of Alicante Park, the club’s new 20,000-seat venue.

According to Intercity, the new stadium could generate an economic impact of more than €100 million annually.
 

AC Ajaccio file for bankruptcy

French club AC Ajaccio have filed for bankruptcy and have lost their professional status, as reported by local outlet Corse Matin.

Last week, the Corsica-based club were banned from all national competitions by the French Football Federation (FFF), after previously being relegated by France’s DNCG last month due to ongoing financial issues, with an estimated debt of more than €13 million.

Ajaccio’s proposed takeover by Spanish lawyer Arnau Baqué Roig collapsed in July, with the club since unable to find a new buyer. The club’s bankruptcy will result in the loss of 180 jobs, as well as the closure of their training ground, while their board are expected to resign.

Hopeful of returning to National 3

The club remain hopeful of returning to National 3, the fifth tier of French football, via an appeal against last week’s decision by the FFF, rather than competing in Regional 1.

However, this would require raising a budget of several hundred thousand euros. A fan collective, Culletivu Biancu è Rossu, is reported to have raised over €12,000 within 24 hours in an effort to keep the club within the league system.

The EFL rejected redistribution deal proposal from the Premier League before the UK’s Football Governance Bill passed, as reported by The Athletic.

In April, the Premier League reportedly submitted an offer to the EFL, which governs the second, third, and fourth tiers of English men’s football. This however fell short of the EFL’s proposals for its clubs to earn 25 per cent of the English top flight’s broadcast revenue.

On 8th July, the Football Governance Bill, which includes plans for a new independent regulator to govern England’s top five league’s, was approved by the UK Parliament’s House of Commons.

Days later, West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady said in a speech at the House of Lords that the Premier League had made a “credible and generous” offer to the EFL, which was rejected by its board.

Premier League still hopeful of EFL deal

According to a recent report from The Athletic, the new independent regulator is set to be effective by 1st November, with plans for its implementation being fast-tracked by the UK Government.

The Premier League is reportedly wary of ceding too much of its media rights revenue to lower leagues, amid fears that it could hinder its competitiveness. Despite this, the English top flight is reportedly remains hopeful of reaching an agreement with the EFL without the regulator’s involvement.

 

Borussia Dortmund generate record €526 million in revenue for 2024/25

Borussia Dortmund have reported record revenue of €526 million for the period ended 30th June 2025, marking an increase of €16.9 million on last year’s figure of €509 million.

Despite seeing an uptick in annual turnover, the German club’s profit after taxes fell from €44.3 million to €6.5 million, although this was largely driven by the €103 million transfer of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid in 2023.

According to Dortmund’s managing director, Thomas Treß, the club’s increase in revenue was also helped by their successes in the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, with the team reaching the quarter finals of both competitions.

Dortmund have “incredible potential” for further growth

Reflecting on this year’s financial results, Borussia Dortmund managing director Carsten Cramer said: “We don't want to reinvent Borussia Dortmund, but rather develop it further.

"We still have incredible potential and are capable of inspiring even more people and partners. We are much, much more than just a football club.”

 

Premier League CEO seeks “seat at the table” for Club World Cup planning

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has called for domestic leagues to be involved in the planning process for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Earlier this summer, the first edition of FIFA’s expanded, 32-team World Cup was held in the US in June and July, sparking concerns over player welfare, amid increasingly congested playing calendars.

The final of this year’s revamped competition, which was won by Chelsea on 13th July, was played less than five weeks before the start of the new Premier League season.

Since last year, FIFA has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with global players’ union Fifpro, and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) who filed a legal case against the governing body over fixture congestion.

Leagues were “not consulted”

Speaking ahead of the start of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Masters said: “The leagues and the players have not been consulted at all on the timing, the scheduling of the competition.

“Whatever iteration of it may come next, we do need to be consulted on that because obviously it does have an impact on the scheduling of the Premier League season - that much is clear.”

He added: “We’re asking for a seat at the table, for proper discussion for the leagues - not just for the Premier League but for all domestic competitions - when you’re scheduling new competitions.”

 

Inter Milan president invests in club

Inter Milan president Guiseppe Marotta has become a two per cent shareholder in the Serie A club.

The 68-year-old was appointed as the club’s president in June 2024, one month after Inter’s takeover by US investment fund Oaktree Capital Management.

Marotta has been at the club since joining from rivals Juventus as CEO of sport in 2018.

A successful period for Inter

During Marotta’s tenure at the San Siro, the club have won two Serie A titles, and have featured in two Champions League finals.

The investment signifies the strengthening of the relationship between Marotta and Oaktree, with the president now committed to the club for the long term.