Manchester United’s plans for a new 100,000 capacity stadium as the focal point of a major regeneration of the Old Trafford area have been given a huge boost after the UK government announced its support for the proposals.

In a statement on Saturday evening, the UK Treasury department said Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was championing the project as “a shining example” of the government’s plans to promote economic growth.

United released a statement on Sunday morning saying it “welcomed the announcement of government support” for the plans, which are forecast to generate £7.3 billion annually for the UK economy and create around 90,000 jobs nationally.

Transport infrastructure and housing

The club added that while it would be responsible for the stadium development, “support from public bodies would be needed to unlock the wider regeneration opportunity, including improved transport infrastructure and housing.”

United are expected to make a final decision at the end of the season over whether to build a new stadium or redevelop their existing Old Trafford home with an increased capacity to 87,000, but are now leaning very much towards a new build dubbed the ‘Wembley of the North’ which could cost over £2 billion.

English clubs highlight concerns over financial viability of women’s football

A number of English football clubs are concerned that having a women’s professional team may no longer be financially viable in the future, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The newswire reported that several men’s domestic teams are questioning whether it’s worth continuing to subsidise their women counterparts, with at least two clubs, who declined to be named, saying the continuing rise in costs risks making it unviable for them to even own a women’s team.

A source told Bloomberg that Women’s Professional League’s Limited (WPLL), which runs the WSL and Championship, is negotiating new arrangements that may force clubs to spend at least £650,000 a year on salaries for their women’s teams next season.
It comes as subsidies worth around £200,000 a year from the English FA are being replaced by as yet unspecified income distribution and grants.

Fresh sources of money

Kelly Simmons, a former director of the Women’s Professional Game, said clubs have either got to do more to generate income or find fresh sources of money. The option is “to put more focus on growing revenue and the fan-base to help offset the costs or to attract private equity investors,” she said.

Christina Philippou, an associate professor in accounting and sport finance at the University of Portsmouth, added: “Women’s football is still essentially a start-up with a lot of potential if a certain amount of resources are pumped into it. But there’s an unwillingness at various levels to put in a large resource because priorities often lie elsewhere.”

DAZN owner Sir Leonard Blavatnik injects further $827 million into group

Sir Leonard Blavatnik, the owner of DAZN, has made a fresh injection of $827 million into the UK-based sports streaming service, taking his total investment in the group to more than $6.7 billion, according to a report from The Financial Times.

The latest outlay from Blavatnik comes as DAZN prepares to post its financial results this week, which will reportedly show more heavy losses for the company. According to the FT, total group losses widened to US$1.4 billion, up from US$1.2 billion the previous year.

DAZN disclosed to SportsPro that revenue increased 30 per cent year-on-year to $2.9 billion, driven by subscriber growth, increased average revenue per user (ARPU), new products and services and expanding advertising revenue. It added that operating losses were reduced from $1.1 billion to $830 million.

Profitable in most of top-ten markets

DAZN CEO Shay Segev told the FT that, although not reflected in the 2023 financial results, the company is now profitable in most of the top-ten markets in which it operates.

Earlier this month it was reported that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) was in advanced discussions over investing at least $1 billion in DAZN. The platform is a broadcasting partner for Serie A, LaLiga, the Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, and last month secured a $1 billion deal with FIFA to broadcast the new 32-team Club World Cup globally.

Vitesse Arnhem announce takeover by five minority investors

Vitesse Arnhem appear to have taken a major step towards securing their future after announcing that five new shareholders have taken over the troubled Dutch club with immediate effect.

In a statement, Vitesse said the new owners have agreed to take over the debt of the US-based investment firm the Common Group and convert it into shares, also giving the club a positive equity balance.

Vitesse said all five shareholders hold a minority interest in the club, with each owning a stake of less than 25 per cent. It said this means it is not necessary to go through the approval process of the Dutch FA (KNVB)’s licensing committee.

Communication with KNVB

Vitesse said they have informed the KNVB about the share transfer, and the association told Dutch media it has received the message from Vitesse. A KNVB spokesperson said: “It is now up to the licensing committee to see whether the deal is correct in accordance with the rules and the agreements previously made with Vitesse.”

It has not yet been announced who the new owners of Vitesse are. The club, who have suffered a series of heavy points deductions over recent months and are currently bottom of the Dutch second-tier, said the new shareholders will soon announce themselves personally to the Vitesse supporters and stakeholders.

A legal panel consisting of three retired senior judges is set to reconvene next week to deliver a verdict on the Premier League's associated party transaction (APT), which could significantly influence the future of the competition, according to a report from The Times.

The panel previously ruled in October that certain APT regulations were unlawful, prompting Manchester City to argue that all APT rules should be declared void. In contrast, the Premier League contends that revisions made to the rules, which were approved by 16 of the 20 clubs in November, should allow the regulations to remain as they currently stand.

The hearing, scheduled for two days, will culminate in a final ruling on the regulations governing commercial deals between clubs and related companies. This decision will essentially determine the extent to which companies affiliated with clubs can sponsor them.

Result is highly anticipated

APT rules are designed to ensure that commercial agreements and player transfers reflect fair market value, thereby maintaining competitive balance within the league.

Manchester City initiated their legal challenge after the Premier League rejected a substantial new sponsorship deal from Etihad Airways. The outcome of this legal battle is highly anticipated as it has the potential to reshape financial dynamics within English football's top tier.

Man Utd admit risk of PSR breach amid financial struggles

Manchester United have acknowledged the potential risk of breaching the Premier League's profit and sustainability (PSR), indicating that ticket prices may increase to mitigate financial losses.

The club has suffered pre-tax losses of £312.9 million over the past three seasons, prompting cost-cutting measures under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management, including the elimination of 250 jobs.

United have already taken steps to boost revenue by introducing a flat rate £66 ticket for members mid-season without consulting fans. Ratcliffe has hinted at further ticket price increases for the upcoming season.

A letter to the fans

While the Premier League has not charged any club with PSR breaches for the last season, United's precarious financial situation was highlighted in a letter to The 1958 fans group, which expressed concerns about rising ticket costs. The club did not dismiss the possibility of hiking prices.

In their correspondence with The 1958 and FC58 Coalition, United stated: "We are determined to ensure that our current fans can continue to afford to attend games and that tickets are accessible for future generations of fans."

However, they also emphasized the need for financial sustainability and compliance with PSR/FFP regulations, which may necessitate "difficult choices" including workforce reductions and spending cuts.

Real Madrid break €1 billion barrier to top Deloitte Money League

Real Madrid became the first football club to generate €1 billion across a single season in 2023/24, according to Deloitte's latest Football Money League.

The Spanish giants, who won LaLiga and the Champions League last season, retained top spot in the ranking, with revenue of €1.05 billion. Manchester City, who won a record fourth successive English league title, were again in second place after earning €837.8 million.

Paris St-Germain (€805.9 million), Manchester United (€770.6 million) and Bayern Munich (€765.4 million) completed the top five. Aston Villa entered the top 20 after competing in Europe for the first time since 2011.

Nine Premier League clubs in top 20

Lyon were the only other new club, with Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt dropping out. Nine Premier League teams were in the top 20, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Newcastle United and West Ham United retaining their places.

Deloitte said revenues for the top 20 clubs rose by 6 per cent to a record €11.2 billion. Matchday income was once again the fastest growing revenue stream, rising by 11 per cent to €2.1 billion, helped by an increase in stadium capacity, ticket prices and premium hospitality.

Norwegian clubs vote to scrap VAR “as soon as possible”

The use of video assistant referees (VAR) in Norwegian football could be about to stop after clubs in the country’s top two divisions voted to discontinue the system in their domestic leagues.

In a statement, Norsk Toppfotball (NTF), which represents the 32 clubs in Norway’s Eliteserien and First Division, said the teams have passed a motion that “requests the Norway Football Federation (NFF) board recommend, and the Federal Assembly adopts, the discontinuation of VAR as soon as possible.”

NTF revealed that 19 clubs voted in favour of scrapping the technology, with 13 voting against. The vote does not discontinue the use of VAR with immediate effect, and the decision will be made at the Federal Assembly at the beginning of March.

Alternative motion

A proposal for VAR to be scrapped for the 2025 Eliteserien season was not passed, before the alternative motion to scrap the technology “as soon as possible” was adopted.

VAR was introduced into Eliteserien in 2023 but has attracted frequent supporter protests. NTF chairman Cato Haug said: “We see the technology has potential, but we see through today’s discussion and subsequent voting that the majority of our clubs believe the current version of VAR does not work well enough.”

Manchester City have been threatened with legal action after being accused by Real Valladolid of tapping up the teenage Sierra Leonean defender Juma Bah.

In a statement, Valladolid expressed their “great disappointment and indignation” at what they claim to be City’s attempts to encourage the 18-year-old to break his contract with them.

The Spanish club, who are currently bottom of LaLiga, claim they exercised a purchase option on Bah on 1st January, having initially loaned the 6ft 5in centre-back from AIK Freetong in Sierra Leone last summer.

Attempts to leave

Valladolid claim City have been behind Bah’s subsequent attempts to leave and revealed that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) had confirmed on Wednesday that the defender – who did not appear for training – has “deposited the amount for the unilateral termination of the contract”.

In their statement, Valladolid added: “In this regard, Real Valladolid reports that it reserves the right to resort to the appropriate legal and sporting jurisdictions to exercise its rights and defend its interests.”

FC Barcelona release 1,500 VIP Ring Seats at revamped Camp Nou

FC Barcelona have launched their latest premium seating package at the revamped Camp Nou, with the release of 1,500 VIP Ring Seats, located in the corner sections of the ground’s new VIP ring.

In a statement, the Catalan club said each seat will cost between €5,500 and €9,000 per season, and will come with access to hospitality suites and VIP areas within the stadium.

Barcelona also confirmed that in total there will be 9,400 premium seats available at the renovated Camp Nou and that 60 per cent of the stadium’s premium allocation has now been sold since the first seats were put on sale in October 2023.

Three times the space

Barça said the club “has adapted its VIP proposal for the new stadium to the new market trends, with boxes and seats of much higher quality”, and with three times the space available in the old ground.

The expanded VIP section is expected to be available by 2026. The club anticipates the revamped venue will generate around €120 million in annual revenue, including the sale of premium seats and new sponsorship agreements.

French clubs push for return of Coupe de la Ligue

The Coupe de la Ligue, France’s League Cup, could be set for a return following calls from a number of presidents of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs to revive the competition.

The trophy was initially removed in 2020 to ease fixture congestion for elite teams, particularly those competing on the European stage, but according to L'Équipe it now appears to have some backers.

Defenders of the cup's reinstatement argue there is now room for a revived competition as there are fewer league matches in a season, following Ligue 1 and Ligue 2's reduction to 18 teams ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

New revenue stream

Clubs facing financial difficulties due to the drop in the value of the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 broadcast rights are also said to be eyeing a new revenue stream through the potential return of the Coupe de la Ligue.

It is understood a working group of five club presidents and executives has been proposed to discuss the issue, including Marc Keller (Strasbourg), Laurent Prud'homme (Lyon), Waldemar Kita (Nantes), Pascal Robert (Brest), and Arnaud Pouille (Rennes), although they are yet to convene.

Lisa Nandy, the UK secretary of state for culture, media and sport, has accused some members of the Conservative opposition of trying to “kill off” the Football Governance Bill, which is due to introduce an independent regulator for English football.

With the bill still appearing to have cross-party support, it had been expected to sail through the House of Lords, before progressing to the House of Commons, where the Labour government has a huge majority.

However, while that is still the most likely outcome, in the House of Lords several Conservative peers, including West Ham United vice-chair Baroness Brady, have filibustered to delay the process and proposed hundreds of amendments to scupper the bill.

“Wrecking amendment”

Speaking at a dinner co-hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Football and the EFL at the House of Lords on Monday, the minister said: “We’ve had what is known as a wrecking amendment put in front of the House of Lords in recent weeks to turn this bill into a hybrid bill that would bury it in committee for years and years to come.

“I want to say to this handful of peers, who have decided to take that approach, what you are doing is killing off the hopes and dreams and inheritance of fans who deserve far, far better.”

Laporta faces fresh call for vote of confidence from Barça opposition groups

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta is facing a fresh call from fan groups and opposition voices to submit to a vote of confidence following the recent saga over the registration of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

Earlier this month, Laporta came under heavy criticism from influential and high-profile socios, with calls for him to resign as many of the fan groups critical of his policies came together in opposition, with potential challengers in Barcelona’s next presidential election closely involved.

Despite the temporary permission for Olmo and Víctor to play, the moves against Laporta have since intensified and a coalition of nine fan groups and pre-election platforms have released a joint statement urging him to call a vote of confidence at the end of the season to avoid a motion of censure.

Advocating for pluralism and open dialogue

The demand follows a press conference earlier this month at which Laporta accused his critics of lacking love for Barça and pursuing personal interests. The coalition criticised his comments and urged him to embrace pluralism and dialogue within the club.

The statement called on the Barcelona chief "to be plural and accept discrepancy", adding: “We are members who live the club with intensity, passion, a critical spirit and we seek excellence.”
 

PSG declare €55 million Mbappé dispute to UEFA as possible Champions League ban looms

Paris Saint-Germain have declared to UEFA the sums involved in Kylian Mbappé’s claim of €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses against the club, according to a report from L'Équipe.

The French giants were required to provide the information as part of their accounting documentation under UEFA’s licensing procedures. The club could face sanctions, including a potential Champions League ban, but are said to be confident they will avoid any penalties.

UEFA imposes strict rules on the financial viability of clubs participating in its competitions, including the absence of debt towards employees. Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure states that a club must not have any arrears of payment on 15th July, 15th October and 15th January of the relevant season.

Refusal to pay

Last year, PSG were ordered by the LFP to pay Mbappé the sum owed from his time at the Parc des Princes, but said in October they would refuse to do so on the basis that the player, who moved to Real Madrid last June, had agreed in August 2023 to waive the money.

In November, the French Football Federation (FFF) rejected PSG's request to reconsider the order to pay Mbappé, saying it was submitted a day late. The club has put forward a challenge to both decisions at the Judicial Court of Paris. UEFA will wait for any proceedings in France to be resolved before intervening directly in the matter.

Cumulative revenue for top women’s football clubs in key markets surpassed €100 million for the first time in 2023/24, according to Deloitte’s latest breakdown of 15 of the top revenue generating women’s teams.

The analysis showed that cumulative revenues from those clubs reached €116.6 million in 2023/24, representing year-on-year growth of 35 per cent when accounting for group income.

For a third consecutive year, FC Barcelona Femení were top among the clubs analysed, having generated €17.9 million in revenue, a 26 per cent increase from 2022/23 after accounting for group income.

Arsenal Women a close second

Arsenal Women ranked a close second with revenues of €17.9 million, having generated a 64 per cent and 48 per cent increase in matchday and commercial revenues respectively in 2023/24.

The top five was completed by two other English clubs – Chelsea Women (€13.4 million) and Manchester United Women (€10.7 million) – as well as Real Madrid Femenino (€10.5 million).
 

Italian player union president Umberto Calcagno hints at dialogue with FIFA on match calendar

Umberto Calcagno, the president of the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC), has said the player union may be about to enter discussions with FIFA over the international match calendar as concerns about its impact on player welfare continue to grow.

Speaking to the Italian radio channel Rai Gr Parlamento, Calcagno said: "There are new competitions that will increase the number of matches to be played, both club and national team, and therefore it is a topic that must necessarily involve FIFA and UEFA.

“For some time, through the world trade union FIFPro and also together with the European Union, we have been discussing and hoping to find a meeting point."

“In recent times we have opened a window to have a dialogue with FIFA, until now denied, and we hope that finally importance will be given to our requests to start a dialogue that we hope will be able to put all the institutions at the same table".

Meeting with new Serie A president Ezio Simonelli

The player union chief also revealed that he discussed the issue when he met the new Serie A president Ezio Simonelli for the first time last week.

“Serie A and the national team are the great driving force of our world,” Calcagno said. “It will be necessary to find a way that enhances the national team and the work that Spalletti has to do.”
 

Kay Cossington to leave English FA role to join Sixth Street and set up multi-club group

Kay Cossington is to leave her role as the English FA’s women's technical director to take up a new position at Sixth Street, the global investment firm and majority owner of NWSL side Bay FC.

Cossington will remain in her FA role until 31st May, 2025 in an effort to ensure a smooth transition, before becoming head of global women's football at Sixth Street and CEO of Bay Collective, a new global multi-club organisation being launched by the Bay FC owners, which is set to officially launch later this year.

In her new role, Cossington will focus on creating a player and sport-first model for Bay Collective, leveraging Sixth Street’s resources and expertise in scaling businesses to “redefine what’s possible” in women’s football.

“Better way to develop players”

Cossington said: “For decades, I have studied women’s football at every age and rank, across regions, leagues, and styles. My conclusion is clear: there is a better way to develop players on and off the pitch, build championship clubs, and keep our athletes at the centre of everything we do.”

In charge of the women's technical team within the English FA since 2016, Cossington played a key role in the appointment of England head coach Sarina Wiegman in 2020 and oversaw the team's historic Euro 2022 triumph and run to the 2023 World Cup final.

Fresh concerns have been raised over the financial state of French football after it emerged the DNCG has projected Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs will post combined operating losses of €1.2 billion for the current 2024/25 financial year.

As reported by L'Équipe, the forecast was presented by Jean-Marc Mickeler, the president of the financial watchdog for French football, at the body's board of directors meeting on 18th November.

For 2023/24 the combined operating losses were close to €1 billion, but thanks to exceptional sales in the transfer market, amounting to around €830 million, the figure was reduced to approximately €250 million.

Player sales

For 2024/25, if clubs still manage to generate strong sales from the transfer market, the DNCG hopes the figure can be reduced by more than half, down to between €500 million and €600 million.

Mickeler said: "French professional clubs do not generate as much operating revenue as their counterparts in other major leagues. … Cost control and the sale of players are two essential conditions for balancing the model, which has been particularly tested in recent years.”

Premier League drops outstanding PSR complaint against Everton

The Premier League has confirmed it is not pursing an outstanding Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) dispute with Everton over the club’s 2022/23 accounts.

Everton had already admitted to a breach of £16.6 million for their PSR calculation for the period ending 2022/23 and were deducted two points by an independent commission in April.

However, a dispute had continued in relation to a difference of opinion over the capitalisation of interest payments relating to the club’s new stadium. In a joint statement, both parties confirmed that the dispute has been resolved and as a result the club will face no further action.

All proceedings ended

The statement read: “The Club and the League agree that this brings to an end all proceedings between the League and the Club in relation to the Club’s breaches of the PSR for the financial years ending 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023.”

An Everton statement added: “The Premier League has formally discontinued the second part of the PSR complaint for the period ending FY23 (financial year of 2023) and has deemed the club PSR compliant for FY24.”

Ratcliffe eyes “fast track” of new 100,000-seat Manchester United stadium

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe could aim to “fast track” delivery of a new 100,000-capacity stadium as the club assess their options over whether to revamp Old Trafford or create a new venue.

It comes after the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force completed its initial feasibility work and determined that a “redeveloped Old Trafford could increase the capacity of the existing stadium to 87,000, whereas a new-build stadium would allow capacity to reach 100,000.”

In a statement, United said: “Both options remain under consideration, with the club set to decide on the preferred approach ahead of the summer. … The vision is for Manchester United to develop a world-class stadium, acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration.”

Repurposing land

According to The Daily Telegraph, United are leaning towards a £2 billion new build, with high-level talks ongoing about repurposing land around Old Trafford to unlock the full potential of a prospective 100-acre site.

There is understood to be an urgency among Ratcliffe and United’s executive leaders around the project. It is estimated it would take around seven years for United to have an operational new stadium, but Ratcliffe is aware the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, for example, took around four years to build.

AS Roma extend capital increase and add extra €130 million

AS Roma’s owners, The Friedkin Group, have decided to extend the club’s planned capital increase for another year and upped the total amount by a further €130 million from €520 million to €650 million.

As reported by Italian media, the completion deadline for the capital increase, which was first approved back in October 2019, has been extended to 31st December, 2025 following a meeting of the club’s shareholders.

The move comes after Roma reported a loss of €81.3 million for the financial year ending 30th June 2024, with shareholders’ equity standing at a negative position of €407.7 million. The previous year’s loss, for 2022/23, amounted to €102.7 million.

Shareholder financing

To address these difficulties, The Friedkin Group has injected €332.5 million of shareholder financing into the club in the last two years and has irrevocably converted €110.1 million of debts into a “shareholders’ reserve for capital increase”.

The decision to increase the planned capital increase by another €130 million marks a further attempt by the owners to boost the club’s finances following their recent losses.

FFF confirms plans to establish professional Ligue 3 in 2026/27

The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed it plans to professionalise the country’s third-tier, with a new Ligue 3 due to be launched in 2026/27 to replace the Championnat National.

The move was part of the campaign commitments of FFF president Philippe Diallo, who was re-elected last month until the end of 2028.

In an FFF statement, Diallo said: "This is a very important innovation that has been requested for a long time by the National clubs. I want this new professional championship to be part of an attractive, innovative, sustainable and regulated model.”

Salary cap

A steering committee led by FFF executive committee member Marc Keller has been tasked with working on the launch of the new professional league, which according to French media reports will include a salary cap and squad size limits.

There are 18 clubs competing in the Championnat National, with AS Nancy currently top of the table and Boulogne in the other automatic promotion place.

English FA set to block Welsh League Cup plan in blow to EFL clubs’ European hopes

The English FA is set to block a proposal to allow the EFL’s Welsh clubs to compete in a new Welsh League Cup next season in what would represent a major blow to European ambitions for teams including Wrexham.

According to a report from The Guardian, the EFL is understood to have raised objections to a request from the FA of Wales for Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport to take part in an expanded League Cup.

They hope the competition will generate £3 million a year in additional revenue. Getting bigger clubs into European competition could also improve Wales’s UEFA coefficient.

Qualifying rounds

UEFA has given its approval and confirmed the winners would be granted a place in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League, with the proviso that EFL-based clubs cannot also qualify via English competitions.

The final decision rests with the English FA, however, which is consulting with the EFL and the Premier League over the matter. The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the FA’s Professional Game Board this week but sources involved said they are minded to reject the proposal.

Manchester City have reached a settlement with Superdry over the fashion retailer’s claims that a sponsorship deal the club reached with Japanese brewer Asahi’s Super Dry beer brand infringed its trademark rights.

A trial at the High Court in London had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but according to Superdry and Asahi the case was discontinued after the parties reached a deal to drop the proceedings. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Superdry filed its legal claim just over a year ago calling for City to stop showing the beer brand on its sportswear. Lawyers for the retailer argued that the use of the logo was “liable to deceive” members of the public into believing that the training kit was designed or sold by Superdry.

Training kit partner

City announced Asahi’s Super Dry 0.0%, a non-alcoholic beer, as its official training kit partner in 2023, and the brand featured on the front of all men’s and women’s first-team training strips.

Asahi also sponsors City’s Tunnel Club, a premium hospitality lounge with tickets for big matches priced at more than £2,000 per person. This season’s training gear still features the Asahi 0.0% logo, but no longer carries the words Super Dry.

Wrexham owners Reynolds and McElhenney part of group buying Colombian club La Equidad

A US consortium fronted by real estate investor Al Tylis and Club Necaxa executive Sam Porter has completed a takeover of Colombian club La Equidad, backed by investors including actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Eva Longoria.

According to The Athletic, the consortium, which also includes MLB pitcher Justin Verlander and his model wife Kate Upton, has acquired over 99 per cent of the Bogota-based club at a valuation in excess of $30 million.

Talks over the acquisition had been ongoing during the second half of 2024, before completing on Wednesday.

Vying for promotion to Championship

The takeover represents the latest foray into football for the Hollywood stars Reynolds and McElhenney after the pair acquired Wrexham AFC in 2021, when the team were playing in the fifth-tier National League. They are now in the third-tier EFL League One and vying for promotion to the Championship.

La Equidad were founded in 1982 by an insurance company, also called La Equidad. The club’s home stadium Estadio Metropolitano de Techo has a capacity of 10,000. The team finished 13th out of 20 teams in the top-flight of the 2024 league phase of the season in Colombia.

FC Barcelona president Laporta faces court over alleged lottery fraud

Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, is set to appear in court on January 20th to face allegations of fraud involving €4.7 million related to a lottery prize, according to a report by Marca.
 

The case will be heard at the Court of Instruction number 6 in Barcelona at 9:00 AM, where Laporta will testify regarding the accusations. If found guilty, he could face a prison sentence of up to six years.

According to the complaint, the incident dates back to 2014 when a family won €34 million in the Primitiva lottery. The family members, identified as J.M.L., a then-unemployed individual, his wife I.M., a cook, and their daughter D.L., a nurse, intended to purchase a luxury car. At the dealership, they were allegedly advised to invest in companies promoted by Laporta.

Flawed contract

Specifically, they mention an investment in CSSB Limited with a capital of €2.4 million for a three-year period at an annual interest rate of 6%. The plaintiffs claim that the contract was flawed as it was drafted in English without a legible signature and allege that Laporta advised them in his capacity representing CSSB Limited.

Furthermore, they assert that they were invited on several occasions to the Camp Nou presidential box by Laporta himself. After the contractual period elapsed, J.M.L. has reportedly not received the agreed amount and documentation suggests that between 2016 and 2018, the scheme allegedly garnered €4.7 million.

In 2014, Club Atlético Osasuna faced a daunting reality. The club were on the brink of bankruptcy, mired in legal troubles, and struggling in Spain’s second division with just 10,000 members. 

According to Francisco Canal, the election of President Luiz Sabalza in December 2014 marked a turning point. Canal credits Sabalza and his team for beginning to lay the foundation for what Osasuna have become today - competing in the LaLiga for the sixth consecutive season.

“The first thing everybody understood had to be done, was to clear Osasuna’s name from all the legal problems that the entity was involved in through bad management from previous administrations,” explains Francisco Canal, CEO of CA Osasuna. 

According to Canal, this effort was pivotal in re-establishing the club’s credibility and setting the stage for its resurgence.

From LaLiga promotion to financial prudence

The 2015/16 season saw Osasuna earn promotion to LaLiga, a crucial milestone for the club if you ask Canal.

 “It was important because every team in LaLiga and the second division relies heavily on TV contracts, and being in LaLiga meant an influx of money,” he highlights. 

Yet, rather than splurging on new signings, the administration took a conservative path, Canal explains. 

“The administration decided to keep the players that they already had and not bring new players in after the promotion to use the money to heal every debt that the club had, and from there they started building.”

While this decision meant the team faced relegation the following year, Canal notes that it allowed Osasuna to rebuild on solid financial ground. 

“They knew that the team was probably going to get relegated anyways, but at least they were able to start fresh,” he says.

Canal also emphasises Osasuna’s financial approach, which he ties deeply to its identity as a club. 

“Osasuna is a club. It's not a private entity. So, we cannot end the year with a loss because we don't have any resources to hold on to,” he states. 

This philosophy was reflected in their 2023/24 financial results, where the club posted a profit of €2.8 million. The club are also currently competing in its sixth consecutive season in LaLiga, which Canal sees as evidence of their stability and sustained success.

Investing in the future: Tajonar Training Complex

Looking ahead, Osasuna are focusing on developing young talent and infrastructure. 

The club recently unveiled plans to expand their Tajonar Training Complex, which Canal identifies as a key part of their vision.

“We want to bring in young players from other parts of the world, and therefore it's important 

The  complex will have 12 football fields, five with natural grass and seven with artificial grass. The project will involve an investment of €18 million, of which LaLiga Impulso (CVC) funds will cover €13 million.

The new facilities aim to create an environment that retains talent. 

“If we have state-of-the-art facilities, it encourages players to stay with us,” canal adds.

Canal describes the Tajonar project as part of the club’s belief in sustainable growth. 

He emphasises that they have to operate this way because they don’t have affluent owners to rely on.

“We have to go year by year. We don't have private equity or an influx of money that can come from the outside. Our main goal is always to stay in LaLiga, but that doesn't keep us away from dreaming big,” he notes.

Hellas Verona have announced that the takeover of the club by the American firm Presidio Investors has been completed, with the Austin, Texas-based fund acquiring 100 per cent of the shares.

In a statement, the Serie A club said the former AS Roma CEO Italo Zanzi will join the board of directors as executive chairman. Zanzi was also previously managing director of FOX Sports Asia and vice-president of Major League Baseball.

Verona added that outgoing president Maurizio Setti will “remain involved with the club in a new role as senior advisor of football operations, supporting the activities of the football staff and sporting director Sean Sogliano.”

Valued at €120-130 million

According to Italian media, Verona were valued as part of the transaction at €120-130 million in terms of enterprise value, including variable components and debt. The exposure to banks amounted to €90 million as at 30th June, 2024 but has decreased in recent months.

It was previously reported that as part of the takeover agreement, Presidio would want to demolish the current Bentegodi stadium and construct a completely new venue on the same land.

Chelsea in talks with Premier League over financial settlement for undisclosed payments

Chelsea Football Club are currently in discussions with the Premier League to reach a financial settlement over undisclosed payments related to player transfers during the era of former owner Roman Abramovich.

The club's new owners, who took over in May 2022, discovered these irregularities and reported them to both the Premier League and UEFA.

According to a report from The Times, Chelsea are seeking a monetary resolution rather than a sporting penalty, such as a points deduction. This approach is based on the premise that the infractions occurred under previous ownership and were only brought to light due to the new owners' thorough takeover process.

Conclusion by the end of March

The negotiations are expected to conclude by the end of March, with Chelsea hopeful for an outcome akin to the £8.6 million financial settlement reached with UEFA in July 2023.

The Times previously reported that the Premier League was probing alleged irregular payments involving the signings of Willian, Samuel Eto'o in 2013, and Eden Hazard in 2012.

Textor searching for €175 million of extra funds in battle to keep Lyon in Ligue 1

Lyon owner John Textor is battling to secure the club’s top-flight status and must find an extra €175 million for the team to avoid relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of the season, according to a report from L'Equipe.

The club were handed a provisional relegation and immediate transfer ban by French football’s financial watchdog the DNCG last November and it is understood they fell €175 million short of what was required by the body.

Lyon have made a number of player sales in the current January transfer window and Textor is preparing to sell the lease and premises of the club’s academy to Michelle Kang for around €20 million. Kang acquired the women’s team OL Féminin last February.

Period of exclusivity

Lyon could also be set for a further boost after the sports investment group Sportsbank announced last week it has entered a period of exclusivity to invest in Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings company. It is understood the firm has agreed to invest around €240 million.

The move came after it emerged that Textor, whose Eagle Football group owns a 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, had granted exclusivity for a separate group from the US and Saudi Arabia to directly purchase Eagle’s shares in Palace.

Cardiff ordered to provide documents over €122.2 million compensation claim in Sala case

Cardiff City have been ordered to provide a series of documents in relation to part of their €122.2 million compensation claim against FC Nantes following the death of Emiliano Sala.

The Argentine striker died in a plane crash en route to Cardiff in January 2019, and the Welsh club and Nantes have been involved in a bitter dispute since the tragedy occurred.

Cardiff are seeking damages for their relegation from the Premier League in 2018/19. The figure of €122.2 million is based on data analysis from Analytics FC, a firm enlisted by Cardiff, which concluded the club had a 54.2 per cent chance of avoiding relegation with Sala due to the expected goals and points gained had he played.

Settlement from insurance broker

As reported by French media, the Nantes Commercial Court has ordered Cardiff to provide documents relating to a €6.8 million settlement from their insurance broker following the death of Sala as the court considers them “useful to the dispute’s resolution.”

However, the court rebuked Nantes’ requests for Cardiff to hand over documents relating to the proceedings carried out against agent Willie McKay, who organised Sala’s doomed flight, as well as documents about Analytics FC’s findings.

Borussia Dortmund shares drop to ten-year low after latest Bundesliga defeat

Borussia Dortmund's share price has fallen to a ten-year low amid growing concerns about the financial impact of the Bundesliga club’s poor start to the season.

Shares in BVB slumped to €2.81 yesterday morning, down ten per cent compared to the previous day, following the 4-2 defeat to Holstein Kiel on Tuesday night, leaving the German giants in ninth place in the Bundesliga.

The price recovered slightly later in the day, rising to just under €3, but the fall reflects weakened confidence in the club after an early exit from the German Cup and with its 2025/26 Champions League qualification in jeopardy.

Marked decline

The last time Dortmund's share price was lower was at the beginning of 2013, although it was on an upward trajectory at that time. The figure is now in a marked decline after reaching €9 in March 2019.

BVB posted a net profit of €44.3 million for the 2023/24 financial year, driven by both record turnover of €509.1 million and record total revenues, including player sales, which amounted to €639 million. Last season, the club reached the Champions League final where they lost to Real Madrid.

Celtic and Rangers Women hold preliminary talks over joining WSL

Rangers and Celtic have held preliminary talks with the Women’s Super League over the potential of joining England’s top-flight, according to a report from The Times.

It is understood discussions between the two clubs and WSL chiefs have been informal and are at a very early stage and there has been no official approach to the Scottish Women’s Premier League or the Scottish FA.

For what would be a groundbreaking move to take place, the Scottish FA would need to be in agreement and any decision would not be in the hands of the Women’s Professional League’s Limited (WPLL), the new company that has taken over the running of the WSL and Championship.

Many options on table

WPLL CEO Nikki Doucet has openly talked about women’s football being able to grow in different ways to the men’s game, and it is believed Celtic and Rangers joining the WSL is one of many options on the table. The possibility of the WSL becoming a closed league has also not been ruled out.

Unlike the WSL, the Scottish top-flight is not fully professional but managing director Fiona McIntyre said last year that the league is closer than ever to becoming full-time.
 

The Premier League has not charged any clubs for breaches of its Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for the latest three-year period ending 2023/24, but Leicester City remain at risk pending the outcome of their ongoing legal case.

As reported by The Times, the club are still involved in a legal dispute with the league over its jurisdiction relating to the 2022/23 season and that has to reach a conclusion before any new charges can be brought. Leicester won the initial case in September but the league has appealed.

All other top-flight clubs have been declared to be compliant after submitting their 2023/24 accounts before the 31st December deadline.

Interlocking transfers

A number of top-flight clubs who might have been at risk of breaching the PSR limit were involved in a series of interlocking transfers before 30th June, 2024 which enabled them to bank profits.

For example, Chelsea signed Omari Kellyman for £19 million from Aston Villa despite the 19-year-old having made just two Premier League appearances, with Chelsea’s academy product Ian Maatsen, 22, going the other way for £37.5 million.
 

FC Barcelona agree sale of 30-year VIP season tickets for €300 million

FC Barcelona have completed the sale of 475 VIP seats at the revamped Camp Nou for the next 30 years in a move set to generate fresh revenue of around €300 million over the course of the deal.

As reported by Spanish media, the agreement will bring in an initial income of €100 million. At a press conference held yesterday, Barça president Joan Laporta said the new ‘economic lever’ has allowed the club to register Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.

While not revealing who the investors are, Laporta said one of the parties to purchase a VIP package is from Qatar, paying €30 million, with another from the UAE, paying €70 million.

€200,000 per seat

Laporta said the Middle Eastern clients are paying a rate of around €200,000 per seat. The seating being sold represents 5.5 per cent of the 9,600 premium seats in the new, expanded VIP section at the renovated Camp Nou, expected to be available by 2026.

LaLiga initially refused the registrations of Olmo and Víctor for the second half of the season after the club missed a deadline to provide proof of funds in order to comply with the league’s spending regulations.

Laporta said this had been caused by a delay in some of the new funds arriving from the UAE.

Genoa takeover: A-Cap takes legal action in attempt to block sale to Dan Sucu

Fresh question marks have been raised over the takeover of Genoa by Romanian businessman Dan Sucu after the US insurance firm A-Cap, the largest creditor of the club’s previous owner 777 Partners, launched legal action over the sale.

Following the announcement of the buyout last month, A-Cap claimed it still owns the Serie A club and that it never agreed to sell it. According to Bloomberg, the company is now trying to block the €45 million recapitalisation that preceded the takeover.

A-Cap has filed an injunction in an Italian court over the issue and claim the capital increase was approved last December without its involvement, handing ownership to Sucu and interfering with its rights as a creditor.

€440 million loan

In its complaint, A-Cap mentions it provided a €440 million loan to 777 in 2023, which included rights over voting and other powers related to Genoa.

However, Genoa CEO Andrés Blazquez has refuted A-Cap’s stance, saying the claims are totally baseless and that the club will fight back hard. He insisted everything was done legally and that the deal is set in stone.
 

Textor accuses LFP president Labrune of being Al-Khelaïfi’s “puppy”

Lyon owner John Textor has sparked fresh controversy at the top level of French football after describing LFP president Vincent Labrune as the “puppy” of Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaïfi.

Speaking on French radio station RMC, Textor reiterated his concerns over an alleged influence of PSG and Al-Khelaïfi on the LFP and French football’s financial watchdog the DNCG.

Referring to an LFP meeting last summer, Textor said: "I was completely shocked in July when we discussed alternatives for TV rights.”

Textor claimed that during the meeting, Labrune “barely opened his mouth. It was Nasser who led the debates. And every time someone came up with a different idea, Nasser barked at him. There was a lot of intimidation and the president of the league was just sitting like a puppy. He said nothing.”

The American businessman added: “I was not aware that the [LFP] was so dominated by this man [Al-Khelaïfi]. I was not aware of the influence of PSG on the league and even on the DNCG.”

DNCG and FFF hit back at comments

In response to Textor’s comments, Jean-Marc Mickeler, president of the DNCG – which imposed an immediate transfer ban and provisional relegation on Lyon last November – has refuted any suggestion it is attached to the LFP or influenced by PSG or Al-Khelaïfi in any way.

As reported by French media, Mickeler said: “As an independent regulatory body provided for by law, the DNCG acts within a strictly regulatory framework and is committed to preserving the economic balance of French professional football, with rigour and fairness in the treatment of all affiliated clubs, without exception.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) also released a statement on the matter, saying it “would like to reaffirm its support and full confidence in the DNCG. The latter acts with total independence and integrity in its analyses. It is an essential element of a healthy regulation of professional football.”

The statement added: “The FFF will not comment on the other assertions of this interview.”
 

Saudi Arabia’s PIF in advanced talks to buy 10 per cent stake in DAZN for $1 billion

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is in advanced discussions over investing at least $1 billion in the UK-based streaming platform DAZN, according to a report from Bloomberg.

Sources told the newswire that the potential deal would involve PIF, through its sports investment arm, acquiring approximately a 10 per cent stake in DAZN, valuing the company at between $10 billion and $12 billion.

It is understood that discussions have been ongoing since late 2023, with PIF seeking to expand its influence in European football, where DAZN is a broadcasting partner for Serie A, LaLiga, the Bundesliga, and Ligue 1.

Progression of talks

Last October, PIF stated it was not engaged in discussions with DAZN and had no plans to invest in the company. However, recent reports indicated that talks had progressed, and it is now thought a deal could be announced as soon as this month.

PIF’s sports investments include ownership stakes in Newcastle United and several Saudi Pro League teams. DAZN has been expanding its global presence in sports broadcasting and last month secured a $1 billion deal with FIFA to broadcast the new 32-team Club World Cup globally.
 

Court rules against DFL – Bundesliga clubs must contribute to police costs for high-risk matches

German football clubs must pay their share of increased policing costs during high-risk matches following a ruling by the country's federal Constitutional Court.

The move ends a dispute stretching back more than ten years over who should shoulder the additional financial burden of such games.

The court ruled that a 2014 law of Bremen, whereby clubs must pay their share of such increased costs, was in accordance with the constitution, and rejected a constitutional complaint filed by the DFL.

"Legal clarity"

In a statement, the DFL said the court's decision had now provided "legal clarity", adding that it “will work to ensure the relevant criteria are specified and operational planning is made more transparent for those who could be called upon to pay fees for the additional provision of police forces.”

It added: "Fundamentally, however, there remains a common goal: safe major events with the lowest possible number of police deployment hours."
 

LFP concludes five-year deal with beIN Sports after resolving issues

The LFP has finally agreed a new five-year contract with beIN Sports worth €98.5 million per year, comprised of €78.5 million for TV rights and €20 million in sponsorship, according to a report from L'Équipe.

The signing of the deal, which runs up to the end of the 2028/29 season, comes after the agreement had reportedly been on hold following delayed payments from the Qatari broadcaster.

The deal was initially announced by the LFP last July, with just over a month to go until the start of the new season. It was reported that DAZN and beIN Sports will share the matches for a total of €500 million per year.

beIN Sports felt mistreated

It is understood that beIN Sports felt it was mistreated by the LFP compared to DAZN, which has secured eight out of the nine matches for each gameweek, due to the league’s scheduling.

beIN demanded a completely revised treatment as it felt the quality of the matches sold at the start was not guaranteed, but it is understood the issues have now been ironed out between the two parties, and the broadcaster’s latest payment of €15 million due for January has been completed.