Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has dismissed suggestions a European Super League is set to be launched following recent reports claiming that a fresh attempt to introduce a new competition was underway.

Mundo Deportivo reported last week that talks had been held with over 100 clubs over a new Super League format, and that around 60 had expressed their willingness to participate in the project in a structure centred around three divisions.

However, in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Al-Khelaifi –who is also chairman of the European Club Association and a member of the UEFA Executive Committee – was adamant when asked if the Super League will ever become a reality.

“It has never existed”

“No, it does not exist,” the Qatari businessman said. “In fact, it has never existed, except in the minds of a few who are mistaken. … No one will support such a project: neither fans, nor players, nor media, nor governments, nor clubs.”

Taking aim at Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, the two clubs still officially engaged in the Super League project, he added: “You know that only two clubs support it. I hope they will realise their judgment error one day and return to the European football family.”

Sheffield United takeover moves closer as US group claims EFL has cleared deal

The proposed takeover of Sheffield United appears to have moved a step closer after the American consortium behind the deal said the buyout has been approved by the English Football League (EFL).

In a statement seen by Bloomberg, businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy said they had signed an agreement with the EFL Championship club's owner Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, on behalf of a group of investors.

According to the statement, the consortium, COH Sports, has received full clearance from the EFL.

Swift conclusion

Rosen and Eltoukhy said a swift conclusion to the deal will allow the team to buy new players in the January transfer window. “Like all Sheffield United supporters, we want to see the club building on its strong start to the season,” they said. “We look forward to moving forward to completion as soon as possible.”

United, who are currently top of the Championship, are seeking an immediate return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation.
In a brief statement, Sheffield United chairman Yusuf Giansiracusa said: "We are pleased to hear that COH Sports has finally received EFL approval."

Genoa move towards new ownership with proposed €45 million capital increase

Genoa could be on course for a transition to new ownership in the coming weeks following the collapse of majority shareholder 777 Partners' multi-club ownership portfolio earlier this year.

According to Italian media, a proposed capital increase of €45 million, with €40 million to be injected externally, is due to be discussed at the Serie A club’s shareholders' meeting this Saturday.

As reported by La Repubblica, whichever party subscribes to the planned capital increase will become the club’s new majority shareholder.

European entrepreneur

Speculation of Genoa’s potential new owners has indicated it may be a European entrepreneur with no previous interests in football, with some reports hinting it could be Bernard Arnault, the French luxury tycoon who recently bought a majority stake in French Ligue 2 club Paris FC.

At present, 777 co-founders Josh Wander and Steve Pasko are still officially on the Geona board of directors, but the proposed capital increase would confirm their departure.

AFC Bournemouth owner Bill Foley 'made takeover bid for Shamrock Rovers’

Bill Foley, the American owner of AFC Bournemouth, reportedly made an offer to buy Shamrock Rovers before withdrawing his interest amid growing turmoil behind the scenes at Ireland’s biggest club.

The Irish businessman Dermot Desmond, who owns a 25 per cent stake in Rovers, has revealed in internal documents seen by The Sunday Times that the club provided information to a potential investor.

According to the documents, this “led to a non-binding offer to acquire an interest in the club being received from the third party in June 2024. Due to concerns about potential shareholder dilution and club valuation, the third-party offer was not progressed.”

Internal infighting

The Sunday Times has established that the offer came from the Black Knight group led by Foley, who acquired Bournemouth back in December 2022 and has significant minority stakes in Hibernian and FC Lorient among others.

Foley’s interest is believed to have dimmed because he wants to push Bournemouth into Europe, which would conflict to a degree with Rovers, while the bitter internal infighting at the west Dublin club was also said to be a negative factor.

Brazil extends Nike kit deal to 2038 in deal ‘worth $100 million per year’

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has announced an extension of its kit sponsorship deal with Nike by a further 12 years, taking the long-standing partnership to 2038.

A source familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press that the new contract, which comes into force in January 2027, will be worth €94.7 million per year.

In a statement, the CBF, whose partnership with Nike began back in 1996, said that for the first time it will also be entitled to royalties from the sale of the Brazilian national team's shirts, which it said “will significantly impact the value of the contract from now on.”

Right to license products

The CBF said it will also have the right to license products and will be able to open stores globally. Nike kits are worn by Brazil’s men’s and women’s teams of all ages, as well as by its beach football and futsal teams.

In March, Nike signed a deal with the DFB to replace Adidas as the provider of apparel and equipment for the German national teams from 2027 to 2034. Other national teams sponsored by Nike include Australia, Croatia, England, France, Nigeria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said Manchester United are no longer an “elite” club after becoming “mediocre” and believes he faces a big task to address the “inertia” at Old Trafford.

In an interview with fanzine United We Stand, the club’s co-owner criticised the “poor” recruitment at the club before he came in and took charge of football operations by claiming the club’s data analysis department is stuck in the last century.

“There is major change to come to achieve elite status,” he said. “But already there has been huge change at this club. It’s not easy and it's not quick. It's a complicated problem and because it has been going for such a long time in this direction, that’s a lot of inertia that has built up in the organisation. Trying to turn what has been relatively mediocre into an elite, top team, is a big task.”

Ticket price increases

Ratcliffe has made around 250 members of staff redundant and has raised some ticket prices at Old Trafford to £66, drawing protests from supporters. But he said he had to run the club, which posted a net loss of £113.2 million for 2023/24, more like the businesses in which he has made his fortune.

“We can't run a business in loss which is where United have been in the last couple of years – losing money,” he said. “If you're losing money then you have to borrow from the bank to pay for the losses. Eventually that becomes unsustainable.”

Bayern Munich reach a record turnover despite a trophyless season

Bayern Munich have achieved another significant financial milestone with a record-breaking turnover in 2023/24.

Including player sales, the German giant reached a turnover of €951.5 million (€854.2 million in 2022/23). When basketball and other subsidiaries are included, Bayern surpassed €1 billion in revenue, as announced by Chairman Herbert Hainer during the general meeting of the member-owned club.

Income from player transfers stood at €186.1 million, meaning that turnover excluding player sales is €765.4 million compared to €744 million the previous year.

Profit before tax saw a 15 percent increase to €62.7 million but fell short of the club's record of €75.3 million set in the 2018/19 season.

"We are not only reaching a new record but also a new dimension, which Bayern has never entered before," Hainer expressed, highlighting the club's unprecedented financial success.

Season without a trophy

Despite these financial triumphs, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen emphasized that the absence of silverware last season was a disappointment.

"This outstanding annual result shows that we continue to be one of the absolute top clubs in Europe in economic terms," Dreesen stated.

"At the same time, however, it should not obscure the fact that we were not satisfied with a season without a trophy." This sentiment reflects Bayern Munich's commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch.

The club also announced they were retiring a shirt number for the first time, withdrawing the '5' worn as a player by former captain, coach and president Franz Beckenbauer, who died in January.

Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth leaves club after five months

Manchester United have announced the departure of sporting director Dan Ashworth after just five months in the role.

In a brief statement issued yesterday morning, the club said he “will be leaving … by mutual agreement”. Media reports have suggested the move was instigated by United, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said to be pivotal to the call to part ways.

Several media wrote that Ashworth's exit was agreed in a meeting with CEO Omar Berrada at Old Trafford following the club's 3- home defeat by Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening.

According to the report, Ashworth's transition to United “has not been smooth”, with his role at the club not thought to have worked in tandem with Ratcliffe's hierarchy, which is led by Sir Dave Brailsford and Berrada.

Heavy transfer spending

Ashworth arrived at Old Trafford in July after a long period of gardening leave at Newcastle United. He was involved in a busy summer of heavy spending as Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee all arrived for around £200 million.

However, according to Manchester Evening News Ashworth was not in favour of appointing Ruben Amorim as the new head coach. The media say that Ashworth was not even involved in the process of selecting Amorim and that he recommended a move for former England manager Gareth Southgate, with whom he worked at the Football Association between 2013-18.

FC Barcelona target new ‘economic lever’ with €200 million VIP seats deal

FC Barcelona are in talks over the sale of VIP seats at the revamped Camp Nou for the next 20 years in a move expected to generate fresh income of around €200 million, Spanish media have reported.

The new ‘economic lever’ is intended to provide a further boost to the Catalan giant’s finances ahead of the January transfer window and follows the signing of a new kit sponsorship deal with Nike reported to be worth €127 million per year.

That agreement, announced last month, was still not enough for Barça to comply with LaLiga’s ‘1-1 rule’, which allows clubs to spend €1 for every €1 they make in revenue or save in salaries.

Sixth Street involved in talks

A number of top European clubs have sold VIP seats over recent months, including Real Madrid, who have reportedly brought in €250,000 per seat. Real Madrid worked with Sixth Street on their sale, and the US firm is also said to be involved in the discussions at the Camp Nou.

It is understood that several parties, including a Qatari group, are interested in buying the whole VIP package offered by Barça. Negotiations are believed to be at the final stage and a deal is expected to be completed ahead of the January window.

Vitesse Arnhem in talks with five potential takeover candidates

Vitesse Arnhem general manager Edwin Reijntjes has said the troubled Dutch club is in discussions with five interested parties over a potential takeover.

In a club statement, Reijntjes said: "We are in talks with five parties about a possible acquisition. Two of the five are more concrete and are located in the so-called 'data room'. Based on our figures and data, those parties are investigating whether Vitesse is a feasible option for them.”

Vitesse had previously set 15th December as the deadline for making a decision over which party or parties it would follow up with. Reijntjes added: “I cannot reveal more information about the candidates … I don't expect to be able to do this after the 15th. We are still in too 'sensitive a process'.”

21-point deduction

Last month, Vitesse were hit with a new 21-point deduction by the Dutch FA (KNVB) after breaking its licensing rules on four occasions. It followed an 18-point penalty last season, confirming their relegation to the Dutch second-tier, and a further six-point deduction this campaign.

The club must submit their annual accounts for 2023/24 and provide the required data for 2024/25 by 12th December. "Although all documents are in the final phase, we – and especially accountants BDO – are working hard to meet the set deadline,” Reijntjes said. “I am positive about that.”

Charlton Athletic taken to High Court over alleged £0.5 million unpaid debt

Charlton Athletic are being taken to the High Court over an alleged £0.5 million debt owed to Paul Elliott, a Manchester-based businessman who attempted to buy the southeast London club in 2020.

As reported by The Times, the claim, filed on 29th November, alleges that Elliott lent the club the sum after agreeing to purchase Charlton from the majority shareholder at the time, East Street Investments (ESI).

The loan is said to have subsidised player and staff wages and other running costs to avoid the club going into administration and receiving a points deduction that would guarantee their relegation to League One.

Failed EFL owners’ and directors’ test

The new claim is central to one of the most chaotic and controversial periods in Charlton’s history. Elliott’s consortium failed the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test, and the Danish entrepreneur Thomas Sandgaard acquired the club from ESI in September 2020.

Charlton were sold again in 2023 to SE7 Partners. The club said they were aware of the claim, which they stressed was related to the previous ownership, and have now referred it to their lawyers.

The hearing over Manchester City’s alleged breaches of Premier League rules is drawing to a conclusion, with an outcome anticipated in February, The Independent has reported.

Lawyers have been making closing arguments this week, and although there is the possibility of delays the case has gone to schedule so far. The hearing is seen within the Premier League as having been run in a highly disciplined manner.

There is said to have been a considerable will within the league to have it finally settled this season, but the likelihood of appeals from either side could mean it runs into the 2025/26 campaign.

129 alleged breaches

The hearing comes from the February 2023 announcement that City had been charged over 129 alleged breaches of financial control rules, after emails were revealed in Der Spiegel's Football Leaks cache in November 2018.

City robustly insist upon their innocence and announced their “surprise” when they were referred to the independent commission last February.

New European Super League plans: ‘60 clubs ready to join’

Fresh speculation has emerged about a new attempt to launch a European Super League, with a report from Mundo Deportivo suggesting that talks have been held with over 100 clubs over a new format.

Of those, the report claims that around 60 have expressed their willingness to participate in the project in a structure centred around three divisions.

The ‘Star Division’ would feature 16 elite clubs from Spain, England, Italy, Germany and France, along with top teams from Portugal and the Netherlands.

The second-tier ‘Gold Division’ would also be expected to have 16 clubs, while the third-tier ‘Blue Division’ would feature 32 teams, with an annual relegation of 20 clubs.

Champions of national leagues

According to the report, some clubs have proposed that the champions of national leagues should qualify for the Star Division, regardless of their overall stature. For instance, if Lille were to win Ligue 1, it would earn a spot in the top tier. It is understood this aspect is still under discussion.

Organisers are said to be confident that not only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will join, but also other clubs that initially supported the idea before withdrawing later on, and that the tournament could potentially begin in September 2025 or 2026.

Sevilla post €81.7 million loss for 2023/24

Sevilla have reported a €81.7 million loss for the year ending 30th June, 2024, raising fresh concerns about the club’s financial position.

The figure is the LaLiga club’s biggest loss in a decade and follows losses of €19.3 million in 2022/23, €24.8 million in 2021/22 and €41.4 million in 2020/21.

Turnover fell by 21 per cent to €176.8 million in 2023/24, down from €224.6 million the previous year, primarily due to a drop in UEFA prize money after the club won the Europa League in 2022/23.

There was also a sharp decline in the club’s profit from player sales, which fell to €5.3 million, compared with €34.9 million in 2022/23.

Operating loss climbs to €80.9 million

As for expenses, Sevilla’s wage bill was €159 million, down from €175 million in 2022/23, while amortisation costs were €45.7 million, compared with €49.8 million the previous year.

The figures resulted in an operating loss of €80.9 million, up from €49.8 million in 2022/23. The accounts show that despite cutting their wage bill and amortisation costs, the gap caused by the club’s big drop in turnover resulted in the huge operating loss.

Juventus hearing: 200 civil party applications filed

Around 200 civil party applications have been filed at the preliminary hearing as part of the proceedings that opened yesterday in Rome against the former top management of Juventus, Italian media have reported.

The requests, which will now be examined by the Rome preliminary hearings judge (GUP) Anna Maria Gavoni, have been made, among others, by the Italian financial markets regulator CONSOB, as well as shareholders, investment funds and consumer associations.

The case follows an investigation into alleged irregularities in Juventus’ salary payments to players, and accusations of false accounting in relation to capital gains from player transfers.

Case moved to Rome

The investigation into the club’s accounts was initially launched by Turin prosecutors before the case was moved to a court in the Italian capital.

There are 12 suspects, among them former president Andrea Agnelli as well as other former directors Pavel Nedved, Maurizio Arrivabene and Fabio Paratici. Juventus and the individuals under suspicion have previously denied any wrongdoing.

Bundesliga media rights up 2 per cent to €1.1 billion per year

The DFL has announced that the Bundesliga media rights for the next cycle have been sold for just under €4.5 billion, equating to €1.1 billion per year.

The figure, covering the cycle running from 2025/26 to 2028/29, marks a 2 per cent increase in the value of the rights for German football’s top two divisions.

The DFL confirmed that Sky and DAZN will be the league’s main broadcast partners once again, while free-to-air commercial broadcaster Sat.1 has secured live rights including the season opening of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the relegation play-off and the Supercup.

Package B to remain with Sky

The controversial Package B, which includes matches played on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons and comprises 196 matches per season, will remain with Sky for the next four seasons.

The confirmation of the new media rights agreements concludes a protracted tender process after DAZN filed a lawsuit in April challenging the DFL's initial awarding process over Package B.

Friedkin Group in talks with JPMorgan over Everton debt sale

Everton’s prospective new owner the Friedkin Group is in talks with JPMorgan Chase about raising debt to help restructure the club’s current loans, which total over £660 million, according to a report from the Bloomberg.

Run by US billionaire Dan Friedkin, the Friedkin Group agreed to buy Everton in September and the deal is awaiting regulatory approval. The takeover is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Once completed, the Friedkin Group will look to simplify Everton’s complex capital structure. The proposed arrangement with JPMorgan would potentially help reduce interest payments and stretch the club’s debt over a more manageable timeframe.

MSP Sports Capital debt

It is understood the Friedkin Group has already covered a £140 million debt to MSP Sports Capital, and has loaned £110 million to cover the day-to-day running of the club.

Bloomberg also reported that after the Friedkin Group assumes control, it will take on £150 million owed to lender Rights and Media Funding, and a further £200 million owed to 777 Partners. There is also debt linked to the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

According to a report from L’Équipe, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is open to selling the French football club if a suitable offer is presented.

This openness to a sale comes amid a perceived waning interest in PSG from its Qatari stakeholders following the 2022 World Cup. Despite this, there is no indication that Qatar intends to withdraw from the club entirely.

The report suggests that PSG is no longer considered a top priority in Qatar, especially after Qatar Sports Investments' (QSI's) unsuccessful attempt to acquire Manchester United. There appears to be a growing detachment from the Paris project, coinciding with Qatar's decision to reduce investment levels in PSG.

Club Denies

However, responding to the report, a PSG spokesperson, speaking to the journalist Ben Jacobs, strongly denied any suggestion that the club would consider selling, highlighting their recent substantial investments.

“This is completely false, the same newspaper writes the same complete rubbish week and week again,” the statement read, directly addressing L’Équipe’s claims.

Premier League asks clubs to lobby against independent football regulator

The Premier League has distributed a template letter for clubs to send to their local MPs, outlining concerns about the Football Governance Bill currently progressing through Parliament. This lobbying effort aims to restrict the powers of the proposed independent football regulator, as reported by The Athletic.

According to the letter, the Premier League believes that while certain aspects of the bill are positive, such as enhancing fan engagement and protecting club heritage, other elements pose significant risks to the league's competitive balance and financial autonomy.

The league argues that stringent financial controls could hinder ambitious, well-managed clubs from challenging the established hierarchy, potentially leading to a "closed shop" scenario.

Additionally, the regulator's "backstop" power to mandate greater revenue sharing could disrupt the current financial structure, especially if it results in reduced parachute payments for relegated clubs.

Amendments proposed

To address its concerns, the Premier League proposes three amendments: making the backstop power a last resort, maintaining parachute payments as key to competitive balance, and limiting regulation to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy.

While the Premier League has resisted such regulation, the EFL supports it as a means to ensure fairer wealth distribution within English football.
 

DAZN secures exclusive global broadcasting rights for FIFA Club World Cup 2025

The sports streaming platform DAZN has struck a deal with FIFA to become the exclusive global broadcaster of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

According to the deal, all 63 matches of the tournament, featuring 32 clubs from around the world, will be live-streamed for free on DAZN globally. There is also potential for sublicensing to local free-to-air linear broadcast networks.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: "Through this broadcasting agreement, billions of football fans worldwide can now watch what will be the most widely accessible club football tournament ever - and for free."

Links to Saudi Arabia

DAZN CEO Shay Segev hailed the agreement as a "milestone" in DAZN's mission to be the leading sports entertainment platform.

According to The Daily Telegraph, industry insiders are drawing links between the deal and a potential $1 billion investment in DAZN by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Four football agencies merge to create one big agency

The investment firm Bruin Capital and the private equity company TJC are backing a significant merger in the football agency industry, creating a new entity named As1, which will represent some of Europe's top players.

The Financial Times reports that As1 will be formed by merging three agencies - Nomi Sports, Position Number, and Promoesport – with Bruin set to acquire Football Division Worldwide as the fourth component.

The London-based As1 will manage around 300 players, including Premier League stars such as Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool's Luis Díaz, and Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo. The agency will also represent talent from La Liga, Serie A, and the Bundesliga.

Valued at €285 million

According to a source familiar with the deal, the combined group is valued at $310 million by enterprise value. Bruin claims that As1 will rank among the top 10 largest football agencies based on the market value of its players, estimated at roughly €700 million by Transfermarkt.

Ignacio Aguillo, former Atlético Madrid executive, has been appointed CEO of As1.

777 Partners denies seeking investors for Genoa

Genoa CFC and 777 Partners, their American ownership group, have issued a statement denying that they have engaged Moelis & Company to find investors interested in acquiring the club.

This clarification comes after media speculation and reports suggesting that the investment bank had been appointed to explore the market for potential buyers.

According to the statement released on Genoa's official website, 777 Partners reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Genoa in its growth and consolidation within the relevant market. The firm contested any form of media speculation and conjecture regarding its intentions for the club.

No mandate

"Moelis Bank has no mandate from 777 Partners to find investors interested in taking over Genoa," the statement emphasised.

This somewhat unexpected stance from 777 Partners appears to confirm the American firm's dedication to continuing its involvement with Genoa, despite facing several proceedings in the United States due to its precarious financial conditions.

Manchester United have told supporters that controversial ticket price increases are part of wider measures designed to put the club “on a stronger financial footing”.

Last week the club communicated the decision to raise prices of remaining home tickets this season to £66 per match, without concessions for children or pensioners.

United supporters and fan groups immediately expressed their fury, with a protest before Sunday’s match against Everton, and the club emailed supporters clarifying the price changes the following day.

“Focused on cost saving”

United said: “As a club, we have been focused on cost saving to put us on a stronger financial footing. This means having to make very hard decisions, including a significant reduction in our staff numbers.

“It also means looking for opportunities to increase our revenues so we can continue to invest in football and infrastructure. We have now sold over 97 per cent of tickets this season, many of which were at a discounted rate.

“We are implementing some policy changes for matches that have already sold out, where only small numbers of tickets will be released.”

Infantino insists FIFA will not raid reserves to fund Club World Cup

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has insisted he will not raid the organisation’s reserves to fund the new 32-team Club World Cup, despite the failure so far to secure a broadcaster for the tournament.

The draw for the expanded tournament takes place in Miami tomorrow and some reports have suggested clubs are banking on £40 million from the competition.

However, covering the costs of staging the tournament and providing clubs with minimum participation payments plus performance bonuses has proved a challenge for FIFA.

“Self-sustainable”

Minutes from a recent FIFA meeting seen by The Times state: “The objective for the FIFA administration was to make the FIFA Club World Cup self-sustainable and for the revenues generated by the competition to be redistributed, without any of FIFA’s other income being invested in it.”

The minutes add: “The president echoed [the secretary general] Mattias Grafström’s words, stressing that the tournament would be self-sustaining and nothing would be drawn from the FIFA reserves.”

FIFA is believed to be seeking a total of $800 million for broadcast rights and up to $1.2 billion in partnership and sponsorship sales. In 2023 FIFA had reserves of $3.5 billion.

Liga MX clubs to vote on investment deal with Apollo and NFL

Liga MX has reportedly reached a formal agreement on an investment deal with New York-based Apollo Global Management and the NFL that will pool some of the Mexican league’s commercial rights.

The deal, which will go ahead if it is approved by the 18 Mexican top-flight teams, is the result of months of negotiations that started with a $1.25 billion influx of capital from Apollo.

In a letter sent to Liga MX club owners on Friday, a copy of which was seen by Sportico, Mexican Football Federation (FMF) president Juan Carlos Rodríguez outlined the agreement, which he said could be the “largest transformation project” in the history of Mexican football.

Reorganisation of pyramid

The letter states that an agreement would give Liga MX more capital, stronger corporate governance and a reorganisation of the football pyramid in the country.

It also mentions participation in the investment by the NFL, as well as talks with MLS about an expansion of their ongoing partnership, including a possible ‘Leagues Cup 2.0’ starting in 2027.

Saudi Arabia makes 910 sports sponsorship deals in 2034 World Cup plan

Saudi Arabia has struck 910 sports sponsorship deals, including 194 specifically concentrated on football, as it prepares for next week’s announcement confirming its hosting of the 2034 World Cup.

The figures are revealed in a new report compiled by Danish-run organisation Play the Game, which aims to promote democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in sport.

It maps what its authors describe as Saudi Arabia’s “strategic effort to reshape the Kingdom’s global image while leveraging sport as a tool of geopolitical influence”.

Annual partnership with FIFA

Of the sponsorship deals identified, 71 are with state oil company Aramco, including a $100 million annual partnership with FIFA, while the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its subsidiaries account for 346 sponsorship agreements across a range of sports.

The report underlines how football, in particular, has been targeted in the buildup to the World Cup announcement, and explains that as well as numerous sponsorship deals the country has made dozens of formalised agreements with football federations.

LaLiga opens Riyadh workspace to strengthen Saudi Pro League ties

LaLiga has announced the opening of a workspace within the Saudi Pro League (SPL) headquarters in Riyadh, which it says is designed to allow the two organisations “to share best practices and drive innovation” in football.

The new facility, designed for use by LaLiga and Spanish clubs, officially commenced operations on Monday. Its inauguration was attended by LaLiga president Javier Tebas and SPL CEO Omar Mugharbel.

LaLiga also announced that it will have a delegate in Riyadh as part of its strategic internationalisation plan, which has expanded the Spanish league’s presence to 34 countries through 11 offices around the world.

“Great opportunity for growth”

Tebas said: "LaLiga is committed to the growth of the sports and entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia, a country that also represents a great opportunity for growth for our clubs.

“The opening of this office marks a turning point in our presence in the region and we are confident that it will help us strengthen ties."

Reading owner Dai Yongge rejects fresh takeover bid

Reading’s Chinese owner Dai Yongge is facing further backlash from fans after rejecting a “credible” takeover bid from Roger Smee, a former player and owner of the EFL League One club.

Smee – who spent seven years as the club’s chairman in the 1980s – has revealed his disappointment in a statement sent to The Daily Telegraph after his proposal was knocked back by Reading on Monday.

In the statement, Smee said: “I’m disappointed that news of my bid has been leaked to the media. … I confirm that my team submitted a carefully considered bid last week. I believe it was firmly competitive with previous proposals that had been entertained and publicly granted exclusivity.”

Alleged breakdown in Rob Couhig talks

This summer, former Wycombe Wanderers owner Rob Couhig’s proposed takeover of Readng fell through after an alleged breakdown in negotiations with Yongge. Couhig had agreed exclusivity during the talks.

Following Smee’s failed bid, the Sell Before We Dai supporters group said this week: “We would love the club – as promised – to clarify at what stage the sale process is now at, but would also like to call on the EFL to lend their voice to the situation. How many more credible bids can be rejected without communication with the fans?”

Kylian Mbappé has referred his former club Paris Saint-Germain to the LFP’s disciplinary committee over the French striker’s claim of €55 million in unpaid wages and bonuses, the AFP has reported.

A source at the LFP told the news agency that a hearing will take place on 11th December over PSG's refusal to pay the money owed to the player, who moved to Real Madrid in June.

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 had agreed in August 2023 to waive the money.

PSG confident of outcome

Last month the French Football Federation (FFF) rejected PSG's request to reconsider the order to pay Mbappé, saying it was submitted a day late.

The LFP could impose a fine or transfer ban on PSG. However, it is understood the club is confident the LFP cannot have the final say on the case and that it would have to go before an industrial tribunal.

Liverpool expand scouting network to find next batch of academy stars

Liverpool are to expand and revamp their scouting operation, with a greater focus on unearthing the next batch of academy graduates, according to a report from The Times.

As part of a commitment to recruit, retain and develop talent, it is understood the club is set to make a number of key appointments across the fields of recruitment and loan management.

Among the changes, a new head of loan management at the club will be recruited to succeed Matt Newberry, who has been promoted to the role of director of global talent.

Two new roles to be created

Two new roles — loans pathway lead and loans performance analyst — are also being created, reflecting the importance of players gaining experience away from the first-team environment.

In addition, a global talent scout, a regional scout for the Netherlands and Belgium, and two further European regional scouting roles will be appointed. Liverpool also plan to bolster recruitment, analysis and scouting at its academy.

Hellas Verona takeover by US firm moves closer

A proposed takeover of Hellas Verona by the American firm Presidio Investors is moving closer after a meeting with the local mayor over plans for a new stadium, Sky Italia has reported.

The interest in the Serie A club from the Austin, Texas-based fund was first reported by Bloomberg last month. As part of the potential agreement, Presidio would want to demolish the current Bentegodi stadium and construct a completely new venue on the same land.

Hellas Verona president Maurizio Setti recently accompanied Presidio representatives at a meeting to discuss the plans with the Verona mayor Damiano Tommasi, who is a former player of the club.

Final figure of €72-75 million

It is understood negotiations over the takeover are at an advanced stage, with discussions taking place over a final figure of between €72 million and €75 million plus bonuses.

The aim is said to be the completion of a deal by Christmas. If plans were approved for a new stadium, Hellas Verona would play at a temporary ground for one or two seasons.

Eintracht Frankfurt shareholders approve €66 million capital increase

Eintracht Frankfurt are aiming to raise €66 million from a capital increase next year after the move was unanimously approved by shareholders at the club’s AGM held yesterday.

The Bundesliga club’s members will have the final say on whether the planned capital increase will go ahead when they vote on the issue at a meeting on 17th February 2025.

It is not yet known who the possible investors are. The capital increase is set to be carried out in the first half of 2025 and, among other things, would be intended to strengthen the club’s equity position.

Transfer of voting rights

In a statement, Eintracht said: "The size of the capital increase may not exceed the issue of 368,333 new shares and must amount to at least €179.41 per share. In total, up to €66 million in capital are to be raised. New shareholders must then commit to transferring their voting rights to Eintracht Frankfurt e.V."

The club’s president Mathias Beck said: "I am pleased with the unanimous decision of the shareholders to follow the club's proposal with regard to the capital increase and thus strengthen the club's position as the main shareholder in the long term."

FC Nantes face prospect of new spending limits ahead of DNCG meeting

FC Nantes are facing the possibility of further spending restrictions as they prepare for their mid-season review with French football’s financial watchdog the DNCG today.

The Ligue 1 club’s wage bill has been monitored by the DNCG since June, limiting their activity in the summer transfer window, and according to L'Équipe, there are concerns the restrictions will be extended into January.

Nantes’ spending on player salaries included in their budgeted for 2024/25 was lower than their outlay in 2023/24, but not low enough in the eyes of the DNCG following a significant decline in revenues.

Slump in broadcast income

In 2022/23, when they reached the Europa League knockout round play-offs, FC Nantes’ revenues amounted to around €80 million, including €30 million in broadcast income, and the club spent around €50 million on wages.

However, their broadcast revenue slumped to €6 million in 2023/24, partly due to an absence of European competition. In October 2024, owner Waldemar Kita injected between €35 million and €40 million into the club.

A proposal to ban state-controlled clubs from English football has been submitted in an amendment to the Football Governance Bill, which is set to introduce a new independent regulator.

As reported by The Times, Lord Bassam of Brighton, a Labour peer, has put forward the amendment to the legislation going through the House of Lords.

If agreed by parliament it would prevent professional English clubs being owned or controlled by sovereign wealth funds or government ministers from any country.

Manchester City and Newcastle would be affected

The move would mean that Manchester City, whose owner is Sheikh Mansour, the vice-president of the UAE, and Newcastle United, who are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), would be forced to change their ownership in order to be granted a licence by the regulator.

Whitehall insiders insist the chance of the amendment being agreed is small, but some Premier League clubs have previously urged the government to introduce such a ban.

Saudi clubs attract investment interest from 25 companies

The move to open up Saudi Arabian football clubs to private investment has sparked significant interest from both local and international firms, the country’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal has said.

Speaking during the country’s Budget Forum 2025, the minister revealed that 25 companies are now actively pursuing investment opportunities in six of the 14 clubs proposed for privatisation in the first phase of the process.

He added that it is estimated the investments could amount to SR500 million ($133 million). As well as domestic firms, he said “there is also interest from foreign companies in investing and acquiring clubs, which we will announce soon.”

Privatisation project

In July, the Saudi ministry of sport launched the latest phase of the 'sports clubs investment and privatisation project' designed to bring in fresh investment at 14 clubs, including Saudi Pro League teams and some below the top-flight.

Prince Abdulaziz noted that the Saudi Pro League’s international profile is on the rise, with broadcasts now reaching over 160 countries. He added that revenues from the league have increased by 33 per cent this year.

Real Sociedad announce record revenues of €160 million for 2023/24

Real Sociedad have posted record revenues of €160 million and a profit of €1.2 million for the 2023/24 financial year.

In a statement, the LaLiga club said the result was driven in large part by the team's qualification for the knockout phase of last season’s Champions League. Their participation in the competition generated €44.5 million in prize money.

In addition, the club earned €78.2 million in broadcast income, €15 million in commercial revenue and €14.3 million from members and season ticket holders.

Wage bill exceeds €100 million for first time

The profit was achieved despite a rise in the club’s wage bill, which exceeded €100 million for the first time. First-team salaries accounted for €89.5 million, due partly to bonuses for the progress in Europe.Real Sociedad also announced a reduction in their forecast for total revenues in 2024/25 from €150 million to €127 million.

The club, who are competing in the Europa League this season, said the adjustment “reflects a conservative financial stance, prioritising the control of expenses over the demands of the competition.”

RSC Anderlecht post €1.6 million profit for 2023/24

RSC Anderlecht have reported a profit of €1.6 million for the year ending 30th June, 2024, following a loss of €6.1 million the previous year.

The Belgian Pro League club noted that the surplus is its first since 2016/17, apart from in 2021/22, when a positive net result was achieved “as a consequence of a wavering of debts”.

A key factor in the result for 2023/24 was a 9.9 per cent decline in the club’s wage bill to €49.3 million, following a 4 per cent decrease to €54.7 million in 2022/23.

Revenues reach €105.7 million

Total revenues for 2023/24, including transfer income, rose to €105.7 million, up from €101.2 million in 2022/23, despite the absence of European football. Anderlecht said income was boosted by an average occupancy rate of 98 per cent at its stadium.

The club added that the sale of goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to Brighton & Hove Albion and the sell-on fee generated from left winger Jérémy Doku’s transfer from Stade Rennes to Manchester City “contributed significantly to the revenue increase.”

Paris FC takeover by Arnault family and Red Bull completed

Paris FC have announced that the takeover of the club by the family of France's richest person Bernard Arnault, alongside Red Bull, has been completed.

In a statement, the Ligue 2 club confirmed that the Arnault family, which owns the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, has become majority shareholder of the team via its Agache holding company, with Red Bull acquiring a minority stake.

Agache Sport has purchased a 52.4 per cent shareholding, with Red Bull taking 10.6 per cent. Paris FC’s president and former majority owner Pierre Ferracci retains a 29.8 per cent stake through Alter Paris, while BRI has 7.2 per cent.

“Ambitious goals”

Ferracci said: "This milestone we have just taken is an important moment in the life and history of the club. With the arrival of Agache Sport and Red Bull, Paris FC is giving itself the means to set ambitious goals.

“Without cutting corners, by respecting its identity and values and by relying on a Ile-de-France area whose potential is well-known, Paris FC will continue its progress, which will benefit its training centres and its first teams, both women's and men's.”

Manchester United paid around £10.4 million in compensation to former manager Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff following his dismissal last month.

The figure was revealed in United’s results for the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year published earlier this week, which also showed the club paid more than £21 million to change managers.

The Old Trafford club paid Sporting Clube de Portugal around £11 million to appoint Ruben Amorim and six members of coaching staff.

£70 million since Moyes

The latest figures mean United have spent an estimated £70 million in compensation to dismissed managers since sacking David Moyes back in 2014.

Ten Hag was the fifth permanent United manager to lose his job since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. Ralf Rangnick also received compensation following the end of his interim spell in charge in 2022.

Moshiri makes pledge over Everton £451 million debt if takeover drags on

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has reportedly agreed to convert his £451 million loan to the club into shares if it has not been sold by the time the Premier League’s revised Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules come into force.

According to The Guardian, Moshiri has committed to waiving the huge debt on completion of his planned sale to the Friedkin Group, and will convert it to equity if it appears that will not happen before 11th January.

From that date shareholder loans will become subject to a fair market value test by the Premier League after last week’s vote on APT rules, to which opposition was led by Manchester City.

Switched sides

Moshiri is understood to have made the undertaking before last week’s vote, when Everton switched sides and voted with the league’s executive to endorse the new APT rules. The proposed amendments were passed by 16 votes to four.

Based on the Bank of England’s current interest rate of 4.75 per cent, Everton would need to pay £21.3 million to cover Moshiri’s loan, which would put them at risk of another breach of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Vitesse Arnhem given new 21-point deduction by KNVB

Vitesse Arnhem have been hit with a new 21-point deduction by the Dutch FA (KNVB) after breaking its licensing rules on four occasions over the last few months.

It comes after the club suffered an 18-point penalty last season, confirming their relegation to the Dutch second-tier, and a further six-point deduction this campaign, meaning the team’s current points tally in the second division is now -15.

Vitesse have been mired in financial trouble since their Russian owner, Valeriy Oyf, tried to sell the club to the US-based investment company Common Group. The takeover was blocked by the KNVB and led to another unsuccessful rescue attempt, this time from Dutch entrepreneur Guus Franke.

“Side letter”

In a statement, Vitesse said the latest punishment included a nine-point penalty forfailure to provide information on a “side letter” covering agreements between Franke and Common Group about the potential takeover of the club.

In addition, Vitesse were hit with an additional six points for the late delivery of their 2022/23 accounts and 2023/24 forecast, three points for the 2023/24 half-year figures, and three points for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 annual figures.

Vitesse have decided not to appeal the punishment and said they were “grateful” the KNVB had opted not to fine the club, either in addition to or instead of the points penalty, due to the club’s current financial situation.

Bastia handed provisional relegation by DNCG

Ligue 2 club Bastia have been provisionally relegated by French football’s financial watchdog the DNCG in its latest round of sanctions.

In a statement, the body said it has decided to demote Bastia to the third-tier Championnat National “as a precautionary measure” at the end of the season. It has also imposed a transfer ban with immediate effect and said it will monitor the club’s wage bill.

The punishment follows DNCG’s mid-season review of Bastia, who will be required to improve their finances to avoid relegation in May.

Orléans spending to be monitored

National 1 club Orléans will also be impacted by the DNCG’s latest sanctions. The watchdog said it will monitor the club’s wage bill and transfer spending.

However, the DNCG confirmed that no sanctions have been imposed on Ligue 1 clubs Nice and Reims, or Ligue 2 sides Clermont, Troyes, Annecy, Caen and Laval.

A couple of weeks ago, the Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, hosted an NFL game between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants.

This marked the NFL’s second game in Munich and showcased the relationship between two global sporting giants - football and American football. For Bayern Munich, the event wasn’t just about hosting; it became a platform to reflect on their own international ambitions, particularly in the U.S., a market of growing importance. 

Michael Diederich, Bayern Munich’s executive vice chairman and CFO, sheds light on how the club is navigating the challenges of expanding into the U.S. market while staying true to their German roots, sharing insights into the club’s plans and his visions for German football.

U.S. and Germany: Key markets for growth

Bayern Munich views the U.S. as one of their most crucial international markets, reflecting a commitment to strengthening its presence in the region. 

“Germany and Europe is one of the most important markets for NFL. The other way around the U.S. for us is one of the important markets,” Diederich said.

The club have had an office in the U.S. for over 10 years, underscoring the importance of local partnerships. Their collaboration with Los Angeles FC and their relationship with the NFL team, Kansas City Chiefs, exemplifies the value of such relationships in the U.S. market.

 “To enter the US market, you need to have a local angle and a local partner to navigate to all the do's and don'ts in the region, especially in the US,” Diederich explains.

But Bayern can’t make the Bundesliga popular in the U.S. alone. Diederich highlights the need for a nuanced approach to penetrate a market as diverse as the U.S. 

“It is not only us, but you also have 36 clubs organised in the DFL. It is all their responsibility in working on that internationalisation of the brand and of the attractiveness of the German football,” he noted. 

The club sees these collective efforts as vital for competing with leagues like the Premier League, which has already established a significant global footprint.

Taking notes from the NFL playbook

The partnership with the NFL has provided Bayern with valuable insights. 
As Diederich explained. “The willingness to expand and to internationalise the product and the sport to other regions” is something the Bundesliga could take inspiration from. 

Events like the NFL game in Munich serve as a win for multiple stakeholders. 

“For the city it is a win, for our stadium it is a win for the audience, for sure, it is a win.”

While the collaboration between the NFL and Bundesliga is strong, there are clear differences in approach.

Peer Naubert, chief marketing officer of Bundesliga International, made it clear that the Bundesliga has no plans to emulate the NFL’s practice of playing competitive games abroad. 

“I think it's super unrealistic that we will ever play a regular season game anywhere abroad, not even in the states, because the Bundesliga stands for ‘football as it's meant to be,’ and we believe that the Bundesliga is rooted in Germany and will always be played in Germany.”

“It’s a priority”

Despite its domestic roots, Bayern Munich is committed to international growth. The club's global fan base spans continents, as Diederich emphasised. 

“We have a huge fan base in Germany, sure, but we also have a huge fan base internationally.” 

The club’s efforts are guided by a dual focus on expanding internationally while staying true to its local heritage.

And particularly with the major international events on the horizon, the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and the newly expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Bayern Munich continues to see the U.S. as a crucial focus.

These events provide Bayern with unique opportunities to deepen their engagement with American fans and partners.

“The US for sure is important for us and especially because of these two big events which are going to happen next year and the year after. So, for us it is a priority, let me put it that way,” Diederich says. 

The case against Manchester City for 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules may not be concluded before the end of this season after it emerged the hearing will not be finished until the middle of December.

The Lawyer website has reported that the hearing has been paused while City and the Premier League prepare their closing arguments. These are not due to start until early to mid-December and it could be three months or more before the three-man commission issues a judgment.

If City or the Premier League were to challenge that judgment via an appeal that would probably take several more months, and legal experts have told The Times there is a good chance any appeal would not be resolved before the end of May.

Thirteen-week hearing

One complex financial case heard by the High Court last year had a 13-week hearing, similar to the length of City’s, but a judgment has still not been issued a year later. Other less complex cases can take a much shorter time, but legal experts say it is impossible to predict how long City’s will take.

City are facing more than 100 alleged rule breaches over a 14-year period. The original 115 alleged breaches now total 130, as when the Premier League originally announced the list of charges, in February 2023, there was confusion over some of the rules listed in the charges in relation to particular seasons and it had to issue a correction. City deny any wrongdoing.

Čeferin urges EU to give more concrete protections to European sports model

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has called for “legal certainty” to protect the European sports model in an address to the Council of EU sports ministers in Brussels.

Čeferin encouraged ministers and the European Commission to take concrete actions towards implementing the Council’s resolution made in November 2021 to protect the model "from those who seek to destroy it for their own power and selfish gain."

EU sports ministers signalled their support for the model with a joint declaration in February this year, and this week held a debate on providing additional political backing, with the topic said to be one of the key priorities of the European Commission's new 2024-2029 mandate.

“Based on sporting merit”

“For 70 years, the European sports model has been built on principles of open competitions, promotion and relegation based on sporting merit, financial solidarity and recognition of sport’s social impact,” Čeferin said. “These principles have guided UEFA since its foundation.”

The UEFA president’s call for action comes amid ongoing speculation about fresh attempts to launch a European Super League following the European Court of Justice (CJEU)’s ruling last December that banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was unlawful.

LaLiga revenues reach €2 billion mark for 2023/24

LaLiga have recorded turnover of more than €2 billion for the first time after generating strong growth in commercial income in 2023/24.

Sponsorship revenue grew by 8 per cent to €162.3 million as EA Sports became the new title sponsor of both the Spanish first and second divisions in a five-year deal worth €60 million per season.

Other sponsorship agreements provided a further boost to commercial income, while broadcast revenue also grew, rising by 1.7 per cent to €1.86 billion.

International TV rights up 3.5 per cent

Overseas broadcast rights generated €744 million, up 3.5 per cent compared to 2022/23. LaLiga said this was largely driven by increases in the Americas – mainly the US and Brazil – and the MENA region.

However, the amount from domestic rights was still below the figure for 2018/19, when it reached €1.14 billion.

Despite the increase in revenues, LaLiga posted a loss of €6.3 million for 2023/24, which according to Spanish media was due to the start-up of various projects and subsidiaries.

AS Roma post €81.4 million loss for 2023/24

AS Roma have recorded a further easing of losses after finishing the year ending 30th June, 2024 €81.4 million in the red.

The Serie A club’s financial results for 2023/24 are due to be published later this week, and some of the headline numbers have been revealed by Italian media.

The latest negative result follows losses of €102.7 million in 2022/23, €219.1 million in 2021/22 and €185.3 million in 2020/21, and brings the total losses since American businessman Dan Friedkin took over the club in August 2020 to €588.1 million.

Operating costs €15 million lower

The 2023/24 accounts also reportedly show that Roma’s operating costs have been reduced by around €15 million compared to 2022/23, while positive numbers are highlighted around attendance and merchandise sales.

The club’s total home attendance last season reached 1.7 million, averaging around 63,000 per match across the season and resulting in an occupancy rate of 99 per cent. Meanwhile, 131,000 replica shirts were sold, setting an all-time record for the club.

FIFA launches $50 million 2022 World Cup legacy fund

FIFA has launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes in collaboration with 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR.

It comes after FIFA promised in November 2022 that the legacy fund from 2022 World Cup proceeds would be used to help "some of the most vulnerable people in the world".

The $50 million equates to around 1 per cent of the commercial revenue raised around the 2022 World Cup. Revenues from previous World Cups have been put into legacy funds for the host nation to use for the development of the game.

“Tackling key priorities”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: "FIFA is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the next level in terms of reach and impact by tackling key priorities such as refugees, occupational health, education, and football development."

However, Amnesty International said the fund does nothing for families of migrant workers who died or were exploited when building Qatar's stadiums for the World Cup.