Juventus have signed a three-year partnership that sees Jeep return as the club’s main shirt sponsor for the next three seasons.

The logo of the US automobile company, which was previously Juventus’ principal sponsor from 2012 to 2024, will once again feature on the shirts of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams from the start of the 2025/26 season until 2028. This covers all domestic matches, as well as all UEFA and FIFA competitions.

The agreement is worth €69 million over its duration, comprising a payment of €19 million for next season, and €23 million for each of the following two campaigns, the club have revealed.

Visit Detroit also becomes front-of-shirt partner

Meanwhile, the Turin-based club also secured a main sponsorship deal with Visit Detroit for the same duration. The US city’s convention and visitors bureau will receive branding on Juventus kits for all matches excluding UEFA and FIFA tournaments.

Although the Serie A side did not disclose the valuation of the Visit Detroit partnership, that deal is reportedly worth between €5 million and €7 million annually.

FIFA aiming to deliver $1 billion in revenue from 2027 Women’s World Cup

FIFA is aiming to generate $1 billion in revenue from the next edition of the Women’s World Cup in 2027, president Gianni Infantino said during this year’s Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh.

This would mark a significant increase on the last Women’s World Cup in 2023, which delivered revenue of $570 million.

The 2027 competition will be held in Brazil, in what will be the first edition of the tournament to be staged in South America.

Women’s World Cup growing “exponentially”, says FIFA president

“Women's football and women in football are crucially important,” said Infantino.

“It's growing as well, and exponentially, and we are targeting that as well to have $1 billion revenue just with the Women's World Cup to reinvest in the women's game.”

Earlier this week, football’s global governing body announced an expansion of the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams from 2031, as part of a plan to support the global growth of the women’s game.

Real Madrid announce plans for new technological innovation district

Real Madrid have unveiled plans for the Madrid Innovation District (MID), and technological innovation hub within Real Madrid City, the club’s training complex.

The new 850,000 square-meter urban space will be built on a plot of land in Valdebebas, which is located near the Spanish capital’s Adolfo Suárez Airport.

The Spanish club are aiming for the MID to become a leading technology district, serving as ‘a nerve centre where talent and technology come together to shape the future’.

New district to position Madrid as “technological capital” of southern Europe

Speaking at the MID’s launch event, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: “We are facing a new great challenge to build together a great technological city that will allow Madrid to continue advancing as an example of innovation and cutting-edge technology in the world.

“This project is a unique opportunity for Madrid to become the great technological capital of southern Europe.”

LaLiga signs two-year free-to-air broadcast deal with DAZN

LaLiga has inked a two year domestic broadcast rights deal with DAZN, which includes rights to one free-to-air (FTA) fixture per week during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons.

In April, LaLiga did not award rights to the FTA game after the first round of its media rights tender, with 2Playbook reporting that the organisation was seeking a minimum of €4 million in any potential deal.

Although the financial terms of the new deal were not revealed, it is reportedly likely to be worth less than the €14 million valuation in the previous agreement.

Deal enables DAZN to engage new fans in Spain

“This new rights award represents a key step in our growth strategy in Spain,” said Oscar Vilda, CEO of DAZN Iberia.

“Being able to offer the LaLiga match free-to-air over the next two seasons gives us a unique opportunity to connect with new fans so they can discover the innovative experience offered by DAZN and the distinctive seal that characterises our broadcasts.”

Rob Couhig completes Reading takeover

US businessman Rob Couhig has completed his takeover of Reading through Redwood Holdings Limited, the English Football League (EFL) have confirmed.

Couhig and Todd Trosclair, who own Redwood’s parent company Dogwood LLC, will join Reading’s board with immediate effect, with the former revealed as the club’s new chairman.

The EFL, which disqualified the club's previous owner Dai Yongge in February under its owners’ and directors’ test, have approved the club’s takeover. Reading had been given an initial deadline of 4th April to find a new buyer, which was later extended by the EFL.

The agreement also includes the club’s Madejski Stadium home, as well as the Bearwood training ground.

New ownership to provide ‘honesty, transparency, and financial sustainability’

In a statement on Wednesday, Reading said: ‘The club are pleased to announce that Redwood Holdings Limited - a subsidiary company of Dogwood LLC, owned by Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair of New Orleans, Louisiana - has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shareholding in Reading Football Club.

‘Redwood is ambitious and dedicated towards the club returning to its rightful place within the English football pyramid, while adhering to clear principles of honesty, transparency, and financial sustainability.’

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are demanding €98 million from their former player Kylian Mbappé, according to RMC Sport.

Last month, Mbappé had a €55 million seizure order placed on PSG’s accounts due to alleged unpaid wages and bonuses.

The club have now requested the cancellation of this seizure, as well as filing a counterclaim against the 26-year-old, who departed the Parc des Princes last summer in favour of a move to Real Madrid.

Mbappé's legal dispute with PSG

During a court hearing on Monday, a lawyer representing PSG, Renaud Semerdjian, said Mbappé owes the club money due to “delaying tactics,” describing his claim as “unfounded.”

According to PSG, the club and Mbappé struck a verbal agreement in the summer of 2023, that the striker would give up some of the money owed at the end of his contract in order to help the club financially.

However this was labelled as a “fantasy” by Mbappé's lawyer, Thomas Clay. The next court hearing is set for 26th May.
 

FA set to name Dan Ashworth as director of football operations

Former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth is set to be revealed as the new director of football operations at the English Football Association (FA), according to UK media.

Ashworth will start his new role with immediate effect, in a move that sees him return to the FA, where he previously worked between 2012 and 2018.

The 54-year-old previously spent a brief tenure of just five months at Old Trafford, before his sacking in December. Manchester United have allowed Ashworth to join the FA, releasing him under the terms of his severance package.

Ashworth’s new position

In his new role, Ashworth will oversee the renovation of St George’s Park, the training complex for England’s national teams, as well as the development of coaches across the country.

Prior to his time in Manchester, Ashworth served as the sporting director at Newcastle United, after previously serving as the technical director at Brighton.
 

Dutch side Fortuna Sittard miss out on UEFA license and European football

Dutch club Fortuna Sittard are set to miss out on European football next season, as the club does not have a UEFA license.

Currently placed ninth in the Eredivisie, Sittard would be eligible for a playoff to secure a place in the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League if they finished in that position, however the club failed to apply for the license ahead of the 8th April deadline.

In a statement, the club said they did not meet all of UEFA’s requirements at the time, which included the submission of an external auditor’s statement.

Sittard ‘looking ahead to next season’, despite setback

Martijn Merks, general manager at Fortuna Sittard, said: “It is disappointing that we cannot reward a great sporting season.

“However, we think it is important to be transparent. We are currently busy preparing for the new Eredivisie season and in the meantime we are continuing to build on the future sustainability of the club. We expect to be able to meet the licensing requirements in the new season without any problems.”
 

Blackburn Rovers given until 18th May to state intention to finance women’s team

Blackburn Rovers have received a seven day deadline to state their intention to finance the club’s women’s team, or face relegation from the Women’s Championship, as reported by The Athletic.

The English club have been handed a deadline of 18th May by Women’s Super league Football, the governing body for the top two tiers of English women’s football which was previously known as the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) until its rebrand this week.

Blackburn will be required to state their intention for the team, as well as meeting the necessary club licensing criteria. If the club fail to do so ahead of the deadline, the women’s team will be relegated. Players and staff were informed on the club’s situation on Tuesday.

This comes as the latest controversy regarding Blackburn’s women’s team, after UK media reported last July that players were set to receive an annual salary of just £9,000 for the 2024/25 season, with a player budget of just £100,000.

Wolves to apply for Women’s Championship status

Recently, Wolverhampton Wanderers chairman Jeff Shi faced backlash from players after not signing the application documents for Women’s Championship status as they battled for promotion from the third tier.

Following criticism from players, the club pledged to apply for the second tier division earlier this week.
 

Goodison Park to become home of Everton’s women’s team

Goodison Park is set to become the new permanent home of Everton’s women’s team from the start of the 2025/26 season, the English club have announced.

This follows a review of the Goodison Legacy project by the club’s owners, The Friedkin Group, who completed a reported £400 million takeover of Everton last December.

With a capacity of 39,572, the stadium will become the UK’s first major standalone venue to be dedicated completely to a women’s team, replacing Walton Hall Park.

“From next season, we are proud to say our women will have an unrivalled permanent home in the WSL," said Angus Kinnear, CEO at Everton.

Everton’s new stadium plans

From next season, the Premier League team are set to move to a new 52,888-seat venue at Bramley-Moore Dock, leaving their longtime home Goodison Park, where Everton have played since 1892.

This Sunday, Everton’s men’s team will play their final game at the venue, before their highly anticipated move to their new home, which has reportedly cost £800 million to build.

The French Football Federation (FFF) is set to scrap the Professional Football League (LFP), replacing it with a new entity that will govern the top two tiers of French men’s football, according to French media.

Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs will reportedly become shareholders in a new company, of which both CVC Capital Partners and the FFF will also be investors.

Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, said: “We’re moving from a non-profit association model to a commercial structure.

“The FFF will be directly linked to the commercial entity. The Ligue, as it exists today, would disappear.”

As part of its restructuring of French professional football, the FFF is also to implement new financial rules, which would include limiting the potential number of contracts within club squads, as well as capping payrolls with new ratios that are more stringent than the current regulations.

New body could be in place for 2026/27 season

The new infrastructures are inspired by the of the Premier League, with the new governance set to assimilate that of the English top flight. The body’s board of directors will appoint its CEO, in contrast to the LFP’s structure, in which presidents would be elected.

The new organisation could be introduced before the 2026/27 campaign.
 

Union of European Clubs proposes UEFA redistributes 5 per cent of revenue for developing players

The Union of European Clubs (UEC) has revealed a new proposal, asking UEFA to redistribute five per cent of its annual revenue from club competitions to teams that helped develop players who feature in its tournaments.

Through the Player Development Reward (PDR), UEFA would set aside five per cent of its revenue from the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, which would be given to clubs, based on the players’ number of minutes and the amount of prize money they earned.

The PDR would support the role of clubs in developing star footballers, as well as helping their financial sustainability, and providing incentives to encourage teams to invest in their youth and infrastructure.

More than 400 clubs would have received €100,000

Only clubs from UEFA member associations that did not participate in the league phase of the Champions League would be eligible for these funds. Simulations by the UEC revealed that almost 1,500 European clubs would receive PDR payments, ranging from top flight leagues to sixth-tier divisions, while more than 400 teams would have received more than €100,000.

The UEC says: ‘This policy has the potential to deliver meaningful, long-term financial recognition and reward to clubs that fuel the professional game by developing its talent.’
 

French club AC Ajaccio close to new takeover

Alain Orsoni, the owner of AC Ajaccio, has confirmed that Spanish lawyer Arnau Baqué Roig is close to completing a takeover of the French second-tier club.

Baqué Roig outlined his plans for the takeover during a press conference at the Corsican club’s Michel-Moretti Stadium home on Sunday. Speaking to French media, Baqué Roig said: “We know about ACA's difficult financial situation, but we know about its great potential and its training project.

“Ajaccio deserves to remain in the professional world, and I will be as close as possible to you to try to meet the challenge and this ACA project.”

Ajaccio’s financial issues

In February, the Ligue 2 club were previously linked with a takeover by US businessman Glenn Straub, with French media reports at the time stating that the team could be sold for just €1, due to debts of around €8 million.

Last June, Ajaccio were provisionally relegated to the French third tier, the Championnat National, by France’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), due to their financial issues, however this was later overturned following a successful appeal from the club.
 

John Textor reassures fans amid potential DNCG sanctions: "Everything's fine"

Olympique Lyon’s majority owner John Textor has reassured fans, amid potential sanctions from France’s National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG).

Ahead of last Saturday’s match against Monaco, the US businessman was asked about the situation by a Lyon fan, to whom he responded: “Don’t worry, we have [the money], and we’ll spend it. Stop reading the press.”

When questioned over whether supporters can trust him, Textor replied: “Yes, you can. I've spent €293 million since I bought the club, do you think I'm going to give up because they (the DNCG) are asking us for €50 million? Everything's fine.”

Threat of sanctions from DNCG

Domestically, the Ligue 1 club were provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 last November, after their debt increased from €458 million to €509 million. Currently, Lyon are also unable to sign players.

The club’s potential demotion to France’s second tier could take effect at the end of the 2024/25 season, if they are unable to satisfy the DNCG’s requirements.
 

SC Freiburg reveal €10 million renovation of Dreisam Stadium

SC Freiburg have announced a €10 million renovation of the Dreisam Stadium, which will become the new home of the German club’s women’s and girls teams.

The redevelopment of the 24,000-seat venue, where Freiburg’s men’s team played between 1954 and 2021, is intended to provide the teams with enhanced training facilities and infrastructure in the long term.

The Dreisam Stadium will continue as the home of Freiburg’s men’s U23 side, with the club also planning to build a new ‘Children’s Sports Competence Centre’, as well as a ‘Stadium Learning Centre’ that will offer training courses and exercises for children and young people.

New project to provide “more professional conditions” for women’s and girls teams

Oliver Leki, CFO of SC Freiburg, said: “Our goal is to provide women's and girls' soccer with more professional conditions and a long-term perspective.

Freiburg say the renovation project is expected to be completed by fall 2026.

Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is looking to increase his shareholding in the English club to more than 80 per cent, according to The Guardian.

The US businessman currently holds a 45 per cent stake in Palace through his company Eagle Football Holdings, after initially investing in the Premier League club in 2021.

The 59-year-old, who last year bid for Everton prior to the club’s sale to the Friedkin Group (TFG) in December, has reportedly held discussions with fellow Palace investors David Blitzer and Josh Harris over purchasing their shares, which account for around 36 per cent of the South London club.

Should this materialise, Textor would subsequently hold a stake of more than 80 percent, enabling him to complete a full takeover.

Palace’s potential takeover

Despite previously expressing his interest in selling his stake in Palace last May, Textor is now reportedly looking to complete a takeover of the club, with US investors Harris and Blitzer reportedly seeking to offload their shares.

New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson is reportedly also interested in purchasing the club. A potential takeover could cast doubt over the future of UK businessman Steve Parish, who currently holds a ten per cent stake in Palace, and has been at Selhurst Park since 2010, when he led a consortium that saved the club from administration.

Chelsea owners could place Strasbourg into ‘blind trust’

BlueCo, the ownership group of Premier League club Chelsea and Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, are preparing to comply with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, should both teams qualify for next year’s Champions League.

The consortium, which includes Los Angeles Dodgers owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital, completed a £4.25 billion takeover of Chelsea in 2022. The following year, BlueCo completed a full acquisition of Strasbourg for €75 million (£63.5 million).

As reported by BBC Sport, BlueCo are expected to place the French club in a ‘blind trust’, in the event in which both teams qualify for the Champions League, to ensure that one individual party is not simultaneously influencing two clubs in the same competition.

BlueCo has reportedly been in talks with UEFA since January over how the group can comply with the regulations of European football’s governing body.

Chelsea and Strasbourg’s Champions League hopes

Chelsea are currently placed fifth in the Premier League. Following Arsenal’s run to the Champions League semi-final, the English top flight has been awarded an extra spot in next year’s competition.

Strasbourg meanwhile are currently sixth in Ligue 1, but could potentially finish fourth if they win their remaining fixture and secure a Champions League qualifying spot.

Borussia Dortmund announce €12.9 million profit for first three quarters of 2024/25

Borussia Dortmund have reported a cumulative net profit of €12.9 million after taxes for the accounting period running from 1st July 2024 until 31st March 2025.

This is down from the German club’s figure of €48.9 million for the same period of the 2023/24 season, with Dortmund attributing this primarily to a drop in net transfer revenue from €88.4 million to €34.8 million.

Despite this, Dortmund’s overall revenue saw a 10.9 per cent, €38.6 million increase, rising from €354.7 million to reach €393.3 million.

Broadcast income accounted for the lion’s share of this, increasing from €147.3 million to €162.7 million. Meanwhile, advertising revenue accounted for €113.6 million, while income from match operations rose from €38.3 million to €45.7 million.

Club’s Q3 revenue sees significant increase on 2023/24

For the third quarter of 2024/25, Dortmund returned to profit after taxation. The club reported a profit of €5.2 million, marking a significant increase of €26.9 million on last year’s loss of €21.7 million.

Dortmund’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) also surged by €31.4 million to €29.6 million, while Q3 revenue saw a 51.5 per cent increase from €98.2 million to €148.8 million.

FIFA Women’s World Cup to expand to 48 teams

The FIFA Women’s World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams from 2031, football’s global governing body has announced.

This comes after the FIFA Council unanimously voted in favour of the decision, following consultation with confederations and stakeholders.

Under the new, expanded format, the tournament will comprise 12 groups, and will increase its total number of matches from 64 to 104, which will result in the competition running for an additional week.

FIFA says its hosting requirements for the 2031 editions of the Women’s World Cup - set to be hosted in the US and UK respectively - will be adjusted accordingly.

FIFA aiming to “maintain the momentum”

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, among many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“This decision ensures we are maintaining the momentum in terms of growing women’s football globally.”

Women's Super League to stick with relegation after 2026

The Women's Super League is set to keep relegation in place after 2026, amid recent reports of a potential four-year pause, as reported by The Guardian.

The governing body of the top two tiers of English women’s football, the Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), was reportedly considering scrapping promotion and relegation from the women’s top flight between 2026 and 2030, as part of a plan to expand the WSL and Women’s Championship to 16 teams each.

Although the WSL is set to keep relegation, the Guardian reports that no decision has yet been made regarding the format of the WSL beyond 2026, with the WPLL reportedly considering ‘several innovative alternations’ of how the English women’s football pyramid might look going forward.

In March, WPLL CEO Nikki Doucet said: "We believe promotion and relegation is a great thing. It makes English football distinctive from other leagues."

Fans consider promotion and relegation ‘vital’

Last week, a survey published by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) revealed 90.2 per cent of English women’s football fans viewed promotion and relegation as ‘a vital part of the integrity of the football pyramid’.

The study additionally found that although 84 per cent of those surveyed favoured the idea of expanding the WSL and Women’s Championship to 16 teams, 53.8 per cent opposed pausing relegation in order to facilitate this.

Olympique Lyon could be banned from European competitions if the French club fail to reach an agreement with UEFA on sanctions, according to L’Équipe.

The Ligue 1 side are currently in talks with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) over a potential agreement, which will likely include a fine worth more than €10 million, in addition to sanctions on aspects such as a wage bill cap and transfer supervision.

Earlier this week, UEFA revealed that its CFCB had sanctioned Lyon during the 2024/25 season, handing the club a fine of €200,000, the most of any European club over the last year.

The club’s majority owner John Textor reportedly held talks in Nyon with UEFA over a potential deal.

Lyon’s financial woes

Last November, Lyon were provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2024/25 season, amid the club’s financial struggles, after the club’s debt reportedly rose from €458 million to €509 million.

The club still faces a potential relegation to the French second tier, if they are unable to meet the requirements of the French National Management Control Department (DNCG).
 

David Beckham and Gary Neville lead new Salford City takeover

Manchester United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville have completed a takeover of Salford City as part of a new consortium.

Beckham and Neville were a part of the Class of 92 investment group that took over the Greater Manchester club in 2014. The new consortium, which comprises nine members, has now bought out their former United teammates Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, and Phil Neville.

Salford’s new ownership, which will oversee operations at Moor Lane with immediate effect, includes US businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies, who will both join the League Two club’s board.

Last February, Salford unveiled plans to seek external investment in order to help their ambition of reaching the Championship. Singaporean businessman Peter Lim had been Salford’s majority shareholder since the 2014 takeover until last August, when Neville acquired his interest in the club.

New group “held together by a love of football"

Reflecting on the new takeover, Neville said: “I am passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football.

“Football will come first, however it’s critical that we drive the club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
 

Girondins de Bordeaux ‘have debt of €93.9 million’

Girondins de Bordeaux are €93.9 million in debt before renegotiation, L’Équipe has revealed.

The six-time Ligue 1 champions, who were relegated to France’s fourth tier last year after filing for bankruptcy, are set for a review by France’s Commercial Court on 27th May.

During this hearing, the court will make a ruling on Bordeaux’s proposed recovery plan, which could result in liquidation for the club if it is not approved.

Bordeaux’s mounting debt

The club’s majority owner Gérard Lopez is prepared to write off €40.5 million of their debt, leaving €53 million in liabilities.

L'Équipe reveals that Bordeaux owe €5.03 million to the French public finances department, and up to €3.34 million in social security contributions. US investment company Fortress is the club’s largest single creditor, with a claim of €6 million.

Chelsea’s move to a new stadium might not happen until 2042, the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Boehly, who led a £2.3 billion takeover of the Premier League club as part of a consortium with Clearlake Capital in 2022, said it could take between 15 and 20 years to move to a new venue.

“When we originally bought the club we agreed initially that we had 15 or 20 years to figure this out but it is a big project in a really interesting city like London where there's a lot of constituencies that have an opinion,” said Boehly.

“Obviously the number one constituency for us is our fan base and what's going to be the best for Chelsea.
“I think everyone recognises that a club as big as Chelsea should have a stadium that reflects the size of the club and ultimately that's going to be a strategic advantage.”

Chelsea’s new stadium plans

Chelsea have played at Stamford Bridge since 1905, however the stadium’s capacity of 41,000 ranks as the ninth largest in the Premier League. The West London club are understood to be weighing up a redevelopment of their current venue, or building a new stadium in Earl’s Court as an alternative option.

Last month, mayor of London Sadiq Khan encouraged the club to open discussions over potential new stadium plans. “We’re really keen to make sure that Chelsea, as we are with all our clubs, continue to flourish and thrive, so we’re open to talking to Chelsea about what plans they have,” he said.
 

Toulouse has become “priority” for Dubai-based fund

Dubai-based fund World Gate Investment (WGI) has said “Toulouse has become our priority," in a statement shared with French media.

As reported by L’Équipe, WGI is currently in talks with the French club regarding a potential takeover, after a delegation reportedly visited Paris recently to discuss its long-term plan for the club.

Toulouse, who recently secured promotion back to Ligue 1, have been majority owned by RedBird Capital Partners since 2020, after the US private equity firm acquired an 85 per cent stake in the club.

The investment group are seeking to become the club's majority shareholder, as well as their final decision maker.

WGI on Toulouse investment talks

“We are ready to invest massively and we have envisioned a long-term project,” said a spokesperson from WGI.

“Making money is not our primary motivation, even if it is important. We mainly want to try to find our place in this market.”
“Toulouse has become our priority,” they added.
 

English football’s independent regulator must be “watertight” says new chairman

David Kogan, the newly appointed chairman of English football’s new independent regulator, has said it will need to be “absolutely watertight” in order to overcome legal challenges from clubs.

Last month, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, confirmed the appointment of the media rights executive as the first ever chairman of the independent regulator, which will oversee the top five tiers of men’s English football.

The 67-year-old told UK member’s of parliament (MPs) at a hearing on Wednesday: “There will be a multitude of potential litigious clubs and lawyers looking at what we do, so we have to be absolutely watertight in what we do, but clearly we may have to bear costs of legal action we cannot forecast.”

Manchester City have launched two legal challenges against the Premier League over the last year, winning their case regarding the English top flight’s associated party transaction (APT) rules in February. Manchester City’s legal bill for the case exceeded £20 million, and the club are reportedly seeking reimbursement from the Premier League, according to English media.

Regulator must be prepared for any potential challenges, adds Kogan

Reflecting on the prospect of legal challenges from clubs, Kogan said: “The regulator has to be geared up for legal challenge, and the way it does that is by doing its work properly and going through the full accountability process, by being as watertight as it can about what it’s seeking to do.

“And then, if you get legal challenge, you have to have the financing to be able to meet that legal challenge.”
 

Rangers’ US takeover “a 90 per cent” probability

Former Rangers chairman Andrew Dave King is confident that the club’s takeover by a consortium led by 49ers Enterprises will come to fruition.

In an interview with TalkSport, the 69-year-old said: “I would say that there's probably a 90 per cent probability [the takeover] will happen.” Despite stepping down as chairman in 2020, King is still the largest single shareholder of the Scottish club with just under 13 per cent of the shares.

Confirming that talks over the takeover had been taking place over the last six months, he added: “In terms of legals being signed, in terms of the type of conditions present that still have to be fulfilled, I would certainly put it at above 90 per cent right now.
“I can't see anything that would stop the deal happening now.”

Rangers’ new ownership

49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers, is also the owner of Leeds United, after completing a full £170 million takeover of the English club in 2023.

According to King, the takeover of the 55-time Scottish champions is set to be completed in mid-June. In April, the Glasgow club confirmed that they had held ‘productive conversations’ with the US consortium.

Brighton owner Tony Bloom has submitted a bid to acquire a 29 per cent stake in Scottish club Hearts for £9.86 million.

The club, which are currently fully owned by support group the Foundation of Hearts (FoH), are now considering the offer. In order for the bid to be successful, it will need to receive approval from more than 50 per cent of FoH members.

Bloom who has been the majority owner at Premier League club Brighton since 2009, would reportedly join Hearts’ board, if his minority stake acquisition is approved. If he is given the green light, he would then require further approval from the Scottish FA.

Potential investment represents “unprecedented opportunity” for Hearts

In a statement, the FoH confirmed its board’s recommendation to vote in favour of the new investment, describing it as an “unprecedented opportunity” for the Scottish club.

“The Foundation of Hearts Board believe that this investment in the club presents an opportunity to realise the club’s full potential and take it into a new era,” said the FoH board. “We hope that, by the time you have read the following information, digested and considered it, you are in agreement.”

Club Leon remain excluded from FIFA Club World Cup – play-off to decide replacement

Club Leon will not compete in this year’ Club World Cup, after the Mexican side lost their legal appeal against FIFA on Tuesday.

In March, FIFA announced that Club Leon would be ejected from the competition due to a breach of its multi-club ownership rules, as the club share the same ownership as CF Pachuca, who had also qualified for the tournament. And in Last Month, the two Mexican clubs both launched appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding the matter.

In a statement released on Tuesday, CAS said: ‘The Panel examined the evidence, including the Club León trust set up by the owners of the club, and concluded that this trust was insufficient to comply with the Regulations.
 

‘Consequently, Club León remains excluded from the competition and Pachuca remains qualified.’

Replacement to be decided through a play-off match

With Club Leon’s absence from the Club World Cup now confirmed, FIFA has announced that the team replacing Club León at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be decided via a play-off. The match will be contested between Los Angeles FC – runners-up to León in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup – and Club América, who topped the FIFA Club World Cup confederation ranking following the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, the final season used to determine eligibility for the tournament.

The winner will secure a place in Group D, stepping in for Club León at the expanded 2025 edition.

UEFA president blasts Italian football’s “terrible” infrastructure

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has criticised Italian football’s “terrible” infrastructure in an interview with Italian publication SportMediaset.

During the interview, Ceferin fielded questions on UEFA’s decision last year to strip Milan’s San Siro of hosting rights to the 2027 Champions League final, as well as ongoing plans for a new stadium in Milan.

“To be honest, I'm a bit tired of these Italian discussions about infrastructure, because all we see is discussions,” said the 57-year old.

“The clubs need help from the government, they need help from municipalities. Private investors will invest. It's time to do something, because the infrastructure is terrible.”

Italy has the “worst infrastructure” among big footballing countries

Ceferin added that Italy, which is set to co-host the 2032 UEFA men’s Euro championships alongside Turkey, has the “worst infrastructure” among the so-described “big countries”.

“Italy's football infrastructure is a shame,” he said. “You are one of the biggest footballing countries, you've won many World Cups, Euros, Champions Leagues. At the same time among the big countries you have by far the worst infrastructure.”

Milan clubs will pay for remediation and demolition of the San Siro, says mayor of Milan

Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, has stated that AC Milan and Inter Milan will pay for the remediation and demolition of the San Siro.

In March, the two Milan clubs submitted a proposal to buy the stadium, as well as its surrounding area, as part of a €1.2 billion plan to demolish and reconstruct the venue, receiving approval from the Municipality of Milan.

“We have some issues to sort out, the main one is related to the clean-up. It is already clear with the teams that if they proceed with a renovation of San Siro they will pay for it,” said Sala and continued: “Has the cost of demolition been quantified? I don't know, it's their problem and I have no idea. We were clear on this with the teams, it will be their responsibility.”

Sala responds to "Si Meazza” committee’s complaint

Last week, the “Si Meazza” committee filed a legal complaint over the sale of the San Siro to the Milan clubs.

In response to this, Sala said: “The "Sì Meazza” committee is trying every way to block this initiative but I will continue on my path, let them do what they think they should do. From our point of view we have opinions that range from the legal to the superintendency and therefore we are sure of what we are doing.”

LaLiga seeks €4 million for one weekly FTA LaLiga match

LaLiga has set a €4 million minimum price for rights to one weekly free-to-air (FTA) fixture from Spain’s top flight for the next two seasons, as reported by 2Playbook.

Potential bidders will have until 23rd May to submit their proposals to LaLiga, after the organisation was unable to secure a broadcast rights partner for the FTA LaLiga match in the first round of its media rights tender last month.

This could potentially be due to LaLiga’s reserve price for the game, which was worth €14 million in previous media rights cycles.

Potential bidders for FTA LaLiga match

Barcelona-based MediaPro, which last month acquired rights to one weekly FTA fixture in the Spanish second tier LaLiga 2 for 2025/26 and 2026/27, could potentially look to acquire rights for the FTA LaLiga match.

Another option for LaLiga could reportedly be a joint bid from Spanish public broadcasters.

US private equity firm 777 Partners and finical backer A-Cap are facing a new lawsuit over sale of Everton to the Friedkin Group (TFG) last December, as first reported by Norwegian publication Josimar.

In a case filed on 1st May, London-based wealth management company Leadenhall is alleging that 777 and A-Cap violated a court order, arguing that they should subsequently be held in contempt of court.

In July 2024, Leadenhall secured a preliminary injunction against 777’s dissipation of assets, which were allegedly below fair market value, as part of a fraud case filed in New York.

Leadenhall are now stating that the Miami-based investment company has breached this, due to the sale of Everton last year. The case claims that after the takeover, TFG settled loans made to the English club by A-Cap through 777 subsidiary Nutmeg, which were worth around $201 million.

According to Josimar, ‘A-CAP received a 60 million pounds payment from TFG and 130 million pounds preferred equity in Everton plus warrants which, if converted, would give it a 10 percent shareholding in the club.’

Leadenhall is claiming that in April last year, Nutmeg transferred the loan from Everton to A-Cap ‘for no consideration’. Months later, in June 2024, the company alleges that A-Cap then took over Nutmeg ‘while avoiding transferring its equity’, before A-Cap wrote down the debt owed by Nutmeg last December.

Leadenhall’s case against 777 Partners

The new lawsuit also centres on the transfer of Trans Atlantic Lifetime Mortgages (TAMI) from 777 to A-Cap’s Kenneth King last July. Leadenhall is alleging that 777 recevieved from a cash advance worth between $2 million and $3 million for UK-based TAMI, despite the firm having an estimated valuation of between $250 million and $300 million.

As a result, Leadenhall is reportedly now demanding that both 777 and A-Cap are held in contempt of court, seeking a fine of $25,000 per day from the date of the transfer of TAMI on 8th July, and an additional $25,000 per day from the date of Everton’s sale on 18th December.

FC Cologne sack sporting director and head coach amid Bundesliga promotion push

FC Cologne have sacked sporting director Christian Keller and head coach Gerhard Struber, the German club confirmed.

Currently placed second in the 2 Bundesliga, Cologne are chasing promotion to the Bundesliga. However the club dropped out of first position last weekend, following a 1-1 draw against SSV Jahn Regensburg.

FC Cologne announced that Thomas Kessler would take over as the club’s sporting director, replacing Keller, who had served in the role since April 2022. Last summer, he appointed Struber as the team’s new head coach, following their relegation from the German top flight. Friedhelm Funkel will meanwhile take the reins as manager for the final two matches of the 2024/25 season.

Club must “seize this opportunity,” says president

“Our decision is the result of a thorough analysis of the team's sporting development over the past few weeks,” said Werner Wolf, president at FC Cologne.

“Given the still strong chance of direct promotion, we must do everything in our power to seize this opportunity.”

UEFA sanctions 13 clubs over overdue debts during 2024/25 season

UEFA has sanctioned 13 clubs for overdue debts during the 2024/25 season through its Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), European football’s governing body has announced.

Ligue 1 side Lyon received a €200,000 fine, while Turkey’s Trabzonspor and Georgia’s FC Dinamo Batumi were each given fines worth €100,000.

Eight additional clubs were fined between €10,000 and €50,000 by UEFA, while two Ukranian teams - FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih and FC Polissya Zhotomyr - were handed a warning.

Clubs given suspended exclusions from UEFA competition

In addition to UEFA’s financial sanctions, three clubs received a suspended ban from next season’s European domestic competitions due to debts that were overdue by more than 90 days. These include Kazakhstani club FC Astana, alongside Georgian sides FC Dinamo Tbilisi, and the aforementioned Batumi.

Astana’s ban is suspended for two seasons, and will only be imposed by UEFA if the club has overdue debts during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. The other two clubs however will have a probationary period of just one season, with a suspension enforceable for overdue debts during the next campaign.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned petrochemical company INEOS is looking to sell Ligue 1 club Nice, according to multiple UK media reports.

INEOS, which became a minority owner of Manchester United last year after acquiring a 27.7 per cent, £1.25 billion stake in the Premier League club, has reportedly given US investment bank Lazard the brief of securing a new buyer.

The company initially acquired the French club in a full takeover worth €100 million back in 2019, with Ratcliffe now seeking a valuation of €250 million, as reported by The Athletic.

Collapse of LFP and DAZN deal could cause complications

A potential sale of Nice could reportedly be subject to complications, following the collapse of the French Professional Football League’s (LFP) broadcast deal with DAZN, which has now been terminated.

At the time of writing, Ligue 1 is currently without a domestic broadcast rights partner for the 2025/26 season.

UK Government moves to block Premier League from staging games abroad

The UK Government is set to add provisions to the Football Governance Bill, in order to prevent the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) from staging international fixtures, according to The Guardian.

The British newspaper reports that the bill, which will see the instalment of an independent regulator to oversee the top five tiers of English men’s football, is likely to have new amendments added to it.

Some UK members of parliament (MPs) reportedly believe that the bill should provide greater clarification on the hosting of matches outside of the country. Currently, the bill simply states that teams will require approval from the regulator ‘to move home games elsewhere’.

The Government is reportedly not planning to introduce this amendment, however it is ‘sympathetic’ to the notion of games being held internationally.

“No plans” for Premier League to stage international games

Last year, FIFA initiated the process to allow domestic leagues to host fixtures outside of their territories, setting up a working group to help make recommendations.

Recently, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) settled its longstanding legal dispute with media rights company Relevent Sports, opening the door for various leagues to bring regular season matches to the US. Both LaLiga and Serie A have made their intentions known in terms of staging fixtures in the US during the 2025/26 season.

Despite other European leagues’ plans to host games overseas, Premier League CEO Richard Masters dismissed the idea of the English top flight following suit, stating that “there are no plans to play matches abroad.”

LFP and DAZN confirm termination of broadcast partnership

DAZN has agreed to terminate its Ligue 1 domestic media rights partnership with France’s Professional Football League (LFP), the UK broadcaster and governing body have confirmed.

In a statement, LFP said: ‘As part of the mediation process initiated by Mr. Patrick Sayer, President of the Paris Economic Activities Tribunal, LFP Media and DAZN have reached an agreement to end their dispute.’

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, DAZN signed a five-year contract with LFP, which was reportedly worth around €400 million per season, with that deal now set to end after just one year.

DAZN’s settlement with LFP

LFP’s board of directors agreed to terminate the agreement in a meeting last month, however DAZN was unwilling to pay the termination fee at the time, which was reportedly worth around €100 million.

According to L’Équipe, DAZN have now agreed to pay this fee, as well as settling the final two payments for the current season, which are worth a total of €140 million.

Reading confirm Rob Couhig takeover

English club Reading have reached an agreement over a takeover led by US businessman Rob Couhig.

The League One side were forced to find a new buyer, after Chinese businessman Dai Yongge was disqualified as an owner by the English Football League (EFL) in March. Reading were initially given a 4th April deadline to find a new owner, which was later extended until 22nd April.

The club have now agreed to a sale to Redwood Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of US-based Dogwood Football LLC, which is owned by former Wycombe Wanderers owner Couhig and his business partnerTodd Trosclair.

During Yongge's tenure, Reading struggled with financial issues, which led to the club being docked six points by the EFL during the 2023/24 season. Last season, the club's women's team withdrew from the Women's Championship, falling to the fifth tier of English women's football.

Agreement subject to ‘final legal technicalities’

In a statement, Reading said the takeover, which also includes the Madejski Stadium and Bearwood Park training centre, is 'subject to final legal technicalities', but is expected to be completed soon.

The EFL has extended its deadline for former owner Yongge to divest his shares until the club’s next board meeting on 8th May.

Paris Saint-Germain set to appoint Richard Heaselgrave as new chief revenue officer

Ligue 1 champions PSG are set to hire Richard Heaselgrave as the club’s chief revenue officer, according to L’Équipe.

The report says that the former World Rugby and Australian Tennis Federation executive will replace Marc Armstrong, who joined Manchester United in February after a six-year tenure at the Parc des Princes.

Heaselgrave’s resume also includes various executive positions at the English Football League (EFL), the NBA, and UEFA.

PSG’s continued economic growth

The arrival of Heaselgrave marks the latest appointment for PSG, after the club named Victoriano Melero as their permanent CEO last October.

PSG generated the third highest revenue of any football club in the world during the 2023/24 season with €805.9 million. Despite this, the club reported a pre-tax loss of €56 million.

DAZN has reached an agreement with LFP to terminate its domestic broadcast contract with the French Ligue 1 after just one season.

L’Equipe has reported that DAZN will pay €100 million to break the contract, and the final two rights payments worth another €140 million. This agreement between the broadcaster and the league will be presented to the LFP’s administrative council on Friday to be ratified.

“There is an option to exit the contract that binds us to the League, as it wishes to launch its own channel project,” confirms DAZN to the French newspaper. This would give the LFP the freedom to launch a fully Ligue 1-dedicated channel next season by exploring the market for a partner. At the same time DAZN has clearly positioning itself to be that partner.

“We are convinced that we can bring significant added value to the League through this channel project. Leaving the clubs in the dark with a project that has yet to materialise seems extremely risky to us, just three and a half months before the start of the season. We are prepared to invest around €100 million in this channel.”

However, if the LFP partners with DAZN, it will forgo the €100 million in compensation provided for in the agreement.

Hopes to be partner for new channel

DAZN added: “The league may have other options, although we believe the right decision would be to go ahead with this channel project with DAZN.”

The platform has held talks with Nicolas de Tavernost, who was recently appointed as the new chief executive of the LFP Media subsidiary.

“We welcome the arrival of Nicolas de Tavernost. He knows the media well and is a rigorous manager. He has a good understanding of the football world," DAZN stated.

“The discussions we have with him are very constructive. Under these conditions, if there is a channel project, it's important for us to officially apply. We hope to have a favorable reception."

Earlier this year, DAZN failed to pay half of a rights fee instalment of around €70 million that was originally due in January.

The streamer withheld €35 million worth of funds, citing challenging operational conditions, partly due to piracy issues and insufficient cooperation from certain clubs in promoting the Ligue 1 product and failing to provide editorial content.

Luis Rubiales files legal complaint against LaLiga president over “abuse of authority”

Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has filed a legal complaint against LaLiga president Javier Tebas with Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).

The alleged “abuse of authority” dates back to a meeting in 2022 between Tebas, Gerardo González Otero, and RFEF deputy secretary general Miguel García Caba.

According to leaked recordings from that meeting, Tebas offered Garcia Caba a pre-contract worth around €150,000 per year to leave the RFEF for LaLiga, and asked him to access the RFEF’s computer servers to illegally obtain information regarding the federation and Real Madrid.

As reported by El Español, the ex-RFEF president has requested that the Spanish Administrative Court for Sport (TAD) open disciplinary proceedings against Tebas and provisionally suspend him, due to the ‘very serious’ allegations.

Tebas’ response to allegations

On Wednesday, the LaLiga president hit back at Rubiales’ allegations, in a post shared on X.

“What has been done with that recording, months ago, is to provide it in its entirety to the Majadahonda Investigative Court, which is investigating Rubiales specifically,” said Tebas.

“We hope that the CSD, in this 'meticulous' study prior to transferring it to the TAD, listens to the entire recording.” He continued: “In short, those who dream of 'annihilating' me will not succeed. And don't sell the bear's skin before hunting it.”

FC Barcelona to relocate US office from New York to Miami

FC Barcelona are set to move the club’s US commercial operations from New York to Miami, the club have announced.

This comes after the Spanish club received a business incentive grant from the Miami Downtown Development Authority (DDA), who have provided more than $820,000 to new businesses in the district over last year.

“The city of Miami has become a hub for soccer in the United States and for us it makes sense to establish our commercial operations in one of the key markets for the Club's business,” said Joan Laporta, president of Barcelona.

Miami’s growth as a football market

The relocation to Miami is intended to bolster the Barcelona’s popularity across the US, and to engage the city’s Hispanic and Latino community, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of the city’s population.

The city is also home to Inter Miami, the current club of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. According to Forbes’ most recent valuations, the franchise is the second most valuable in MLS, with a reported worth of $1.2 billion.

Hertha Berlin yet to obtain DFL license for 2025/26

Hertha Berlin face a challenge in acquiring a license from the German Football League (DFL), in order to compete in the 2 Bundesliga next season, according to a report from Kicker.

The club will need to pay back a €40 million bond that the club recently obtained from the bank, which reportedly has an interest rate of 10.5 per cent, and needs to be repaid by November.

Hertha are looking to extend the bond for a further three years until 8th November 2028. This would see its interest rate drop to 6.5 per cent annually from 8th November this year, and would also allow the club to pay off the bond in full at any point after then.

Schalke and Nürnberg also yet to meet DFL’s requirements

Two additional Bundesliga 2 teams, Schalke and Nürnberg, also reportedly need to reduce their equity in order to receive their respective licenses.

Meanwhile, Bundesliga clubs Heidenheim and Holstein Kiel have also not yet met the DFL’s requirements.

Valencia’s Nou Mestalla construction to cost €194.6 million, says construction firm

The FCC Group’s construction of Valencia’s new stadium, the Nou Mestalla, will cost €194.6 million, the Spanish construction company has revealed.

The LaLiga club signed a contract with FCC in January, allowing construction of the new stadium to restart.

An external audit commissioned by the Valencia City Council projects the total coast of the new venue to be more than €341 million, excluding taxes and industrial profit that have yet to be added. This forecast marks a 17 per cent, €34 million increase on the club’s previous projection, as reported by 2Playbook.

New venue to be complete by 2027

In January, the club confirmed that work on the Nou Mestalla had resumed, with the new venue expected to be completed in January 2027.

Although Valencia first broke ground on the stadium in 2007, construction was delayed in 2009, due to the club’s financial difficulties at the time.