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.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has ruled out plans to stage a Premier League match overseas, in an interview with BBC Sport.

This comes amid plans for Serie A and LaLiga to bring games to Australia and the US respectively, pending approval from FIFA and UEFA.

Earlier this week, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) approved proposals for next season’s LaLiga matchup between Villarreal and Barcelona to take place at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in December. The Spanish FA has subsequently asked FIFA to initiate the process to facilitate LaLiga’s first game in the US.

Last month, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) revealed plans for AC Milan’s Serie A clash against Como to take place in Perth.

No Plans

Despite this, Masters has insisted the English top flight does not harbour any plans of its own for international fixtures. “I don't think it changes the Premier League's view on this at all, we don't have any plans to play matches abroad,” he said.

"It's not anywhere near my in-tray and it's not a debate around our table.

He continued: “The Premier League flirted with this over a decade ago and the reason was to grow the league internationally and we were able to do this through different means - digital means, broadcast partners, concepts like the summer series in the US.”

Chelsea sporting directors to remain at the club until 2031

Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have both extended their contracts at the club until 2031, according to UK media.

The Club World Cup winners’ co-directors of recruitment have also signed extensions with Chelsea, keeping them at the club over the same duration.

The four executives each arrived at Stamford Bridge following the club’s takeover in 2022 by the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Since their arrival, the club have spent around £2 billion on player transfers, while earning between £800 million and £900 million in transfer revenue.

Could reach net zero in transfer business

The four renewals are intended as a means of rewarding success for meeting targets.

All four figures, who were previously under contract at Chelsea until 2028, will remain at the club for the foreseeable future, amid reported ‘optimism’ that this summer’s transfer business will be almost net zero, despite spending £200 million.

Brazilian club Santos FC get approval for new €110 million stadium

Brazilian club Santos’ plans for a new stadium have been approved by the City of Santos, with the project set to be completed within the next three years.

The new venue will cost R$700 million (€110 million) as reported by Mundo Deportivo, and will have a capacity of 30,000.

Santos have played at the Estadio do Vila Belmiro since 1916, with the new stadium set to be built at the same site as the iconic ground.

The Sao Paulo club will retain full ownership of the new stadium, which will be developed by Brazilian construction company WTorre, who signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Santos in 2023.

Mayor on new stadium plans

Mayor of Santos, Rogério Santos, said: “We are inseparable. The club has taken the city’s name to every corner of the world.

“Today, by approving this project, we take an important step for the club and the city, which will now have a modern arena capable of hosting major games as well as major concerts and events, something we don’t yet have the infrastructure to do.”

Crux Football seeking to invest in five European women’s football teams

Crux Football, a company founded by former women’s footballer Bex Smith, is aiming to raise $50 million to buy five women’s teams across Europe, according to Bloomberg.

The report says that the firm is targeting teams based in the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Sweden.

Crux would pay a nominal fee to acquire the teams, taking responsibility for their working capital.

In talks with potential investors

Bloomberg reports that talks are ongoing, with Crux currently pitching to prospective investors to raise funding.

The company’s founder and CEO, Bex Smith, previously played for Frauen Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg, and captained the New Zealand women’s national team. Following her retirement in 2013, the 44-year-old went on to hold various executive positions within football, including a four-year stint as football manager of competitions and events at FIFA.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has announced he will be running for the presidency of the Bundesliga club.

The 66-year-old joins Dortmund’s current president Reinhold Lunow in the presidency race, after Lunow, who has been president since 2022, surprisingly revealed his intention to run again.

Watzke, who will step down from his current position this Autumn, has informed Dortmund of his decision to stand in the election, which will take place at the club’s general meeting in November.

Would be an “honour”

“At our next general meeting, I will stand for election as President of Borussia Dortmund,” Watzke said.

“It would be an honour for me if, after 20 years of operational activity, I could continue to support our club in this important position. I have informed Reinhold Lunow of my decision in a personal meeting.”

FC Barcelona approve €7 million guarantee to help comply with LaLiga’s 1:1 rule

FC Barcelona’s board of directors unanimously approved a new €7 million guarantee to LaLiga on Wednesday, according to Mundo Deportivo.

This will help bolster the Spanish champions’ financial standing, and help the club comply with LaLiga’s 1:1 rule, which allows clubs can spend €1 for every €1 earned.

Five of Barcelona’s summer signings - Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martin, and Roony Bardghji - have yet to be registered by the Catalan club.

Waiting on approval of €100 million VIP seats deal

Last year, Barcelona secured a €100 million agreement for VIP seating within the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, as part of their bid to fit within the 1:1 rule.

Once this deal is validated by the auditor and LaLiga, the club will be compliant with the Spanish top flight’s financial regulations.

Cadiz CF’s Nomadar nears US stock exchange listing after SEC approval

Nomadar, the technology arm of Spanish club Cadiz CF, has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ahead of the company’s listing on the US stock exchange, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

According to the Spanish sports publication, Nomadar has now met the minimum regulatory requirements ahead of the listing on Nasdaq, after filing an amended version of the S-1/A registration statement on 7th August.

Cadiz are aiming to raise €123 million in order to fund Sportech City, a new sports and technology complex which is set to open in 2030.

Funding Sportech City

In July, the second tier club struck an agreement with US-based fund Yorkville Advisors, which included a €28 million investment into the project.

Through this deal, Yorkville agreed to convertible bonds worth €3 billion for 4.99 per cent of Nomadar.

French club AC Ajaccio banned from all national competitions by FFF

The French Football Federation (FFF) has banned AC Ajaccio from all national competitions, the federation has announced in a statement.

This comes as the latest blow to the Corsican club, who were relegated from Ligue 2 by France’s DNCG in July, after the club could not provide a €15 million bank guarantee.

Ajaccio are now expected to play in Regional 1 next season, the six tier of French football.

Collapsed takeover

Last month, a proposed takeover of Ajaccio fell through, after Spanish lawyer Arnau Baqué Roig, withdrew his interest in purchasing the club.

Ajaccio retain the right to appeal the FFF’s decision.

Real Madrid have issued a statement, expressing the club’s opposition to proposals for Villarreal’s LaLiga matchup against FC Barcelona to take place in Miami.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) recently gave the green light for the fixture to be staged at Hard Rock Stadium, with its board of directors asking FIFA to initiate the process to allow this to go ahead.

In response, Madrid have moved to block the staging of the match outside of Spain, contacting FIFA, UEFA, and the Higher Sports Council, seeking the respective parties to not authorise the match.

Breaches ‘integrity’ of LaLiga

In the statement Real Madrid said: ‘The measure, implemented without prior information or consultation with the clubs participating in the competition, violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs double-round league competitions.

‘The integrity of the competition demands that all matches be played under the same conditions for all teams.

‘Any such modification must, in all cases, have the express and unanimous agreement of all clubs participating in the competition, in addition to strictly adhering to the national and international regulations governing the organisation of official competitions.’

Crystal Palace issue scathing response after losing CAS appeal

Crystal Palace have issued a scathing response after losing their appeal against UEFA in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), claiming ‘sporting merit is rendered meaningless’.

Earlier this week, the court in Lausanne upheld UEFA’s initial ruling to demote Palace from the Europa League to the Conference League, due to the involvement of the club’s former co-owner John Textor with Olympique Lyon.

In its verdict, the CAS found that Textor held ‘decisive influence’ over both clubs, despite selling his 43 per cent stake in the club to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in June, which came after UEFA’s deadline of 1st March to notify the organisation of ownership changes.

Some clubs have a ‘unique privilege’

In a statement on Tuesday, Palace said: ‘The decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless.

‘It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power.

‘While we respect the CAS tribunal members, the process is designed to severely restrict and, in our case, make it almost impossible to receive a fair hearing.’

UK Government ‘pushing’ for independent football regulator to be implemented by November

The implementation of English football’s new independent football regulator is being fast-tracked by the UK Government, according to The Athletic.

The UK Government is pushing for the independent regulator to be effective by 1st November, amid ongoing financial turmoil at clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe.

In July, plans for the regulator were given the green light, after the Football Governance Bill was approved by the House of Commons, and received Royal Assent to pass into UK law later that month.

Once operational, the new body will have the authority to sanction takeovers and place greater scrutiny on owners across the top five tiers of English men’s football.

Needed “as quickly as possible”

A spokesperson for the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) told The Athletic: The ongoing challenges at Morecambe, Sheffield Wednesday and many other clubs before them show exactly why the Football Governance Act was needed and why we acted to push the legislation forward in the face of opposition.

“The launch of the [independent regulator] is a priority. We recognise the need to move forward as quickly as possible whether that be implementing the required secondary legislation or appointing the regulator’s board.”

Sunderland to oppose plans for new housing project near Stadium of Light

Premier League club Sunderland are set to formally object to council plans to build 600 new apartments and townhouses behind the South Stand of the Stadium of Light, according to a report from The Guardian.

According to the club, the proposed new housing would prevent the future expansion of the 49,000-seat venue.

Although Sunderland recently submitted a pre-planning application for the renovation of the South Stand, and believe the new plans would remove a buffer zone, the council is arguing that there is still enough space for an expansion.

The Chairman reflects

Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, chairman at Sunderland, said: “Unfortunately, Sunderland City Council has recently taken steps relating to the Sheepfolds development that could have catastrophic operational consequences on our club and, by extension our community.

He continued: “Later this week we will be submitting a formal objection against the proposals relating to the Sheepfolds and I encourage all city stakeholders to come together and join us in protecting the future of our football club and the city of Sunderland.”