Brighton & Hove Albion have let go the majority of their full-time recruitment scouts as part of a restructuring of the envied department, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

It is understood that staff at the club, whose owner Tony Bloom relies heavily on a secretive data model, were last week told that recruitment and the identification of players will now operate differently, with three full-time scouts being dispensed with. Others may have been redeployed.

The move underlines how successfully the club, who are sixth in the Premier League table, level on points with third-placed Chelsea, have used data in their recruitment, although club insiders insist they will be no more reliant on it than they have been.

Staff headcount

It is believed the excellent work of the scouts who have left has been recognised by Bloom and that Brighton plan to make appointments as part of the restructuring to take the total recruitment staff headcount back up to near its previous level.

However, according to The Telegraph's report, Brighton’s decision has caused intrigue and surprise within football, and has sparked fears within the scouting community that clubs could cut the number of full-time scouts they use as data becomes more and more prevalent.

Premier League strikes $560 million media rights deal with Thai platform Jasmine

Thai telecom carrier Jasmine International Pcl has agreed to pay $560 million for Premier League broadcast rights as it seeks to attract customers to its streaming business.

According to an exchange filing from the company, it has acquired exclusive rights for live Premier League and FA Cup matches in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for at least three seasons starting from 2025/26.

The contract can be extended to as long as six seasons if the company receives written notification from the rights holder by 1st December. The initial three-year rights cost $233 million and the payment will rise to $560 million for a six-year contract.

Boon for Jasmine

The rights are set to be a boon for Jasmine as it competes against regional rivals such as True Corp., which currently broadcasts English football in Thailand.

Jasmine has more than 600,000 customers for its internet TV platform and has been expanding its content offerings. It is also seeking to increase its foothold in Laos and Cambodia.

Genoa investment search underway after 777 ownership collapse

Initial steps towards a sale of Genoa are set to be taken over the coming weeks following the collapse of majority shareholder 777 Partners' multi-club ownership portfolio earlier this year.

As reported by Italian media, the investment bank Moelis & Co. has been instructed to begin a search for potential investors in the Serie A club following similar operations led by the bank with other 777-owned clubs including Red Star FC and Standard Liege.

At present, 777 co-founders Josh Wander and Steve Pasko are still officially on the Geona board of directors. However, a shareholders' meeting is scheduled for the end of November to approve the club’s accounts for 2023/24, and it is expected an update on future potential changes will emerge at that point.

Verification of suitable offers

The hunt for new owners led by Moelis will start with a preliminary phase in which any interest will be assessed, followed by verification of any suitable offers.

777 Partners lost control over the numerous football clubs in its portfolio after a range of financial and legal difficulties facing the Miami-based group came to light.

Italian clubs eye potential benefits from proposed stadium reforms

Italian football clubs could be set to benefit from new legislation governing the construction or renovation of sports stadia, contained in a bill presented by Forza Italia senator Mario Occhiuto, and due to be debated in the Senate in the coming days.

As reported by Italian media, changes being proposed include extending the benefits provided for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to the building of new stadiums or revamping of old ones, with simplified procedures that allow the issuance of permits within 45 days, and the possibility of appointing a commissioner to speed up the process.

Also included in the bill are significant tax breaks, with a tax credit set at 30 per cent for private investments that could be raised to up to 40 per cent for projects displaying high levels of commitment to environmental sustainability.

“Network of stadiums is obsolete”

Presenting the proposals at a press conference, Occhiuto said: "The network of Italian [football] stadiums is obsolete, with an average age of 61 years for Serie A facilities and 63 years for Serie B ones, and 93 per cent of Italian stadiums are publicly owned."

He added that the objective of the proposed reforms is to "review the concept of the stadium as a meeting place to expand its offer and use, and it is important that it is owned by the clubs".

Udinese CCO urges Italian government to back clubs' green initiatives

Magda Pozzo, CCO of Serie A club Udinese and daughter of club owner Giampaolo Pozzo, calls on Italian policymakers to remove barriers hindering football clubs from advancing environmental initiatives.

“It all starts with the stadiums, where clubs host matches and other major events with millions of attendees each year. But building a new stadium in Italy is extremely difficult, as authorities are unwilling to grant the necessary permissions,” Pozzo tells Off The Pitch.

Ranks high in sustainability.

“We’ve seen a few promising stadium projects stalled for many years due to bureaucracy. This stifles clubs’ business development and makes it challenging to establish a business model founded on the green agaenda without a modern stadium,” she adds.

A couple of weeks ago Udinese launched the club's new third kit, which has been created using Eco Fabric, a polyester that is made exclusively from recycled plastic.

In 2023, Udinese earned notable recognition by ranking fourth in the Brand Finance Football Sustainability Perceptions Index, behind only Liverpool, Real Betis, and Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have not budgeted for any income from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in their projections for the 2024/25 financial year.

In a document seen by The Athletic, Madrid said “there is no precise information on the subject”. Training bases, sponsors and broadcasters are yet to be announced by FIFA for the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which will be played next summer in the US.

Madrid’s projections show that in total the club has budgeted revenues of €1.13 billion for 2024/25, an increase of €54.7 million from 2023/24. The club has seen a 14 per cent revenue growth based on their stadium, with an annual budget projection of €362.1 million.

Dispute over hosting concerts

A further question mark for 2024/25 concerns Real’s dispute with local residents about hosting concerts at the Santiago Bernabeu. The club has not included income streams for concert hosting at their stadium in their projections.

Residents mobilised a legal challenge against what they saw as unwarranted intrusions into their lives, and on 13th September, Madrid announced a decision to “provisionally reprogramme its agenda of events and concerts” at the stadium. No concerts are expected until at least April.

St. Pauli raise €8.5 million from sale of stadium shares to fans in first 24 hours

St. Pauli have announced that the sale of shares in their Millerntor Stadium to supporters has raised €8.5 million in its first 24 hours, with 6,600 subscribers taking up the offer.

The Bundesliga club are hoping to raise up to €30 million in fresh capital by selling shares to a new fans co-operative, Football Cooperative St. Pauli (FCSP) eG, with the process expected to run until the end of January.

The official sales phase of the cooperative began on Sunday at 10am, after a preliminary subscription phase that started on Thursday evening, and a launch event on Friday attended by celebrities including former St. Pauli players.

Majority stake

Individual supporters can buy shares at €850 each and the aim is to raise enough for the cooperative to purchase a majority stake in the Hamburg club’s stadium.

It is thought the co-operative fundraising model is the first of its kind in football. A key difference to other investor models is that regardless of how many shares an individual acquires, each person receives only one vote.

Premier League clubs target stadium capacity increase of at least 14 per cent in next ten years

Premier League clubs are looking to increase stadium capacity by a combined figure of at least 115,000 seats (14 per cent) over the next decade, according to analysis by the Financial Times.

It comes as English top-flight teams target stadium upgrades to boost revenues and aim to reap the benefits of rising ticket demand and reduce reliance on income from broadcasting and sponsorships.

Liverpool completed an expansion project last summer that took Anfield’s capacity to above 61,000, while Manchester City are in the process of adding thousands of seats to turn the Etihad into a 61,000-capacity arena, and Manchester United are consulting on a new stadium project.

Everton move to Bramley-Moore Dock

Everton plan to relocate to their new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock in time for next season, while Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Arsenal are among other clubs either planning or weighing up potential stadium renovations.

Some plans remain in the early stages but further projects are likely to be announced as more clubs actively consider upgrades.

Lazio president proposes new amendment to betting sponsorship ban on Italian clubs

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has presented a fresh amendment to the ban on Italian football clubs agreeing sponsorship deals with gambling firms.

The regulation, first introduced in 2019, prohibits sports teams in the country from "any form of advertising, even indirect, relating to games or bets with cash winnings, however carried out and by any means.”

As reported by Italian media, Lotito –who is also an Italian senator – has called for the removal from the text the words "even indirect", which would make it possible for football clubs to strike commercial deals with betting companies once again.

Estimated cost of €100 million per season

Lotito and other critics have pointed to an estimated cost of the ban to Italian football of around €100 million per season, and also stressed that analysis suggests it has contributed to a steady increase in the black market for betting.

During a hearing of the Culture Committees in the Italian Senate, Lotito said: “The absurd thing is that the previous government removed indirect sponsorship on betting out of demagoguery.”

Swansea City settle multi-million pound ‘tapping up’ dispute with Russell Martin

Swansea City and their former manager Russell Martin have settled their multi-million pound legal dispute over his defection to Southampton, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

As revealed back in April, Swansea sued Martin for “breach of contract” almost nine months after his controversial exit. Those proceedings were halted last Monday via a court order agreed by both parties, the existence of which has now been made public.

Swansea took Martin to the High Court after warning they would pursue “full compensation” over the departure of a manager who had more than a year remaining on his deal with them.

Premier League team

The club alleged Martin or his agent helped Southampton avoid paying £2 million versus £1.25 million for his services by informing his prospective employer the full figure only applied if he joined a Premier League team.

The legal claim lodged by Swansea revealed the league had been asked to launch a “tapping up” investigation into the circumstances of Martin’s June 2023 switch – after Southampton’s relegation to the EFL Championship – amid allegations he or his agent had spoken to the Saints without the Welsh club’s “written consent”.

Martin denied in his defence to the legal claim that he had been the subject of an illegal approach by his current team, stating it was his agent, Louie Evans, who had initiated contact in April last year.

FC Barcelona have announced a new multi-year kit sponsorship agreement with Nike coming into effect this season in a deal reported to be the biggest of its kind in world football.

In a statement released on Saturday, the club said it marks “a new start” for the two parties but not disclose details of the deal’s length or value. Spanish media reported that as well as covering the period up to 2028 when the current contract ends, it also includes an extension from 2028 to 2038, bringing it to a total of 14 years.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the value of the whole deal, dependent on certain add-ons, will be around €127 million per year on average and includes a signing bonus of around €158 million spread across the length of the agreement. The deal’s value will increase after 2028 and continue rising until 2038.

“Strategic role”

Barcelona said in their statement: “Nike has a key strategic role in the club’s retail operations and together with Barça Licensing & Merchandising will join forces in the development of specific plans related to product creation, supply chain and global distribution.”

Confirmation of the new deal comes after Barça had considered a significant offer from Puma and even the idea of creating and distributing its own apparel brand. This led to a legal dispute between Barcelona and Nike, with the American sportswear giant ultimately winning in court.

Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman confirms buyout agreement

Andy Coleman, the chairman of Swansea City, has confirmed he is part of a group of four investors set to take over the EFL Championship club after lead investors Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien agreed to sell their stake.

In a statement on Friday, Coleman said: “I along with Brett Cravatt, Jason Cohen, and Nigel Morris are buying out Steve Kaplan, Jason Levien, Jake Silverstein and all their investors. We’re also excited that new partners are joining us in making a major new investment in the club.”

Brett Cravat is an American businessman who secured a place on Swansea’s board of directors in the summer of 2023, while Nigel Morris is a British businessman who already has a minority stake in the club. Jason Cohen is a business associate of Cravatt’s.

Investment of £20 million

According to a report from The Athletic, Coleman’s portion of Levien and Kaplan’s shares will be the largest, followed by Cravatt and then Morris. The transfer of control will also see over £20 million invested into the club.

Levien, also the co-chairman and CEO of MLS team D.C. United, and Kaplan, led an ownership group that acquired Swansea at a valuation of £110 million when the side were in the Premier League in July 2016. The precise value of their sale is contested but it is understood the figure represents a vast drop on the initial investment.

Borussia Dortmund post €1.6 million profit for Q1 2024/25

Borussia Dortmund have reported a net profit of €1.6 million for the first quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, down from €52.4 million in the same period the previous year.

In preliminary figures for the three-month period ending 30th September 2024, Dortmund recorded total revenues, including player sales, of €141.3 million, compared with €213.2 million in Q1 of 2023/24.

The key factor was a decline in transfer revenues following the sale of Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid in the summer of 2023. Income from player trading was €19.3 million in Q1 2024/25, down from €82.3 million in the prior year’s first quarter.

Revenues excluding player trading rose to €107.3 million, compared with €102.3 million in Q1 2023/24. All income streams were up apart from merchandise sales, which fell from €15.5 million to €10 million.

Matchday revenue was €8.1 million (€7.7 million in Q1 2023/24), commercial income €35.9 million (€31 million), broadcast revenue €39.2 million (€37.8 million), and conference, catering and other income €14.1 million (€10.3 million).

Wage bill falls to €58.9 million

Dortmund’s wage bill fell from €61.8 million to €58.9 million, although depreciation and amortisation costs climbed from €23 million to €24.5 million. Other operating expenses rose from €36.3 million to €38.1 million.

Commenting on the results, Trion Reid, an analyst at Berenberg, said:
“Expenses were mostly in line with our expectations, but the operating deleverage on the lower revenue means that EBITDA of €25.7 million (down 68 per cent year-on-year) was below our €45.4 million estimate.”

He added: “While advertising revenue (up 16 per cent year-on-year) was ahead of expectations, matchday income (up 5 per cent) and merchandising (down 35 per cent) were weaker than we had forecast.”

Lyon owners Eagle Football Group have announced a series of urgent measures to raise new financing for the Ligue 1 club over the coming months after it reported a net loss of €25.7 million for the year ending 30th June 2024.

The figure follows the loss of €99 million suffered the previous year and came despite total revenues, including player sales, rising to €361.4 million, up from €289.7 million in 2022/23.

A key driver of the reduced losses were asset disposals, including the sale of a 50-year licensing of the OL Feminin women’s team and the sale of NWSL club Seattle Reign FC (formerly OL Reign).

Lyon’s financial debt reached €505.1 million as at 30th June 2024, compared with €458.5 million at the end of the previous year.

“Operating and capitalisation plan”

In a statement accompanying the results, Eagle said it intends to implement an “operating and capitalisation plan” for Lyon over the coming months, generating €75 million by the end of December from “equity contributions” and/or the sale of players owned by clubs in the Eagle Football Holdings group.

It also anticipates a contribution of up to €40 million of excess proceeds from the planned sale of Eagle’s 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, up to €100 million in early 2025 from Eagle’s planned IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, as well as further funds from the January transfer market.

The statement from Eagle added:“While the Group considers it probable that some or all of these financing transactions will be completed, any material delay or non-fulfillment of such projected cashflows could raise additional issues regarding going concern principle on the company and its subsidiaries.

“The Group's statutory auditors are considering issuing a qualified opinion with an inability to certify the Eagle Football Group's parent company and consolidated financial statements.”

Arsenal sporting director Edu to serve six months' gardening leave

Edu Gaspar, who earlier this week stepped down from his role as Arsenal’s sporting director, will serve a six-month period of gardening leave ahead of his move to join up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, according to a report from Sky Sports News.

Arsenal’s assistant sporting director Jason Ayto is expected to replace Edu while the club scouts for a successor. It is understood the Gunners are prepared to wait for the right person as a long-term replacement for the Brazilian rather than rushing to make an appointment.

A key component for Arsenal is finding someone who dovetails and works well in partnership with manager Mikel Arteta. The effectiveness of that relationship is felt to be linked to how strong Arsenal can be.

Solid structure

While losing a sporting director mid-season and somewhat abruptly is not ideal, the club are said to be calm about the situation. There is a feeling Edu has installed a solid structure, with the ownership having shown a skill for hiring accomplished people in all key departments.

During the upcoming international break, the football leadership team will meet with owners the Kroenke family to discuss strategy and squad-building ahead of the next windows, and Edu's successor will be on the agenda.

Crystal Palace receive bid from Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd for Eagle stake

Jason Kidd, head coach of the NBA side Dallas Mavericks, is part of a consortium that has made an offer to purchase Eagle Football Holding’s 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, according to a report from The Athletic.

It is understood the group’s initial proposal for Eagle’s stake fell below the valuation that John Textor, who is the largest shareholder in Eagle and one of Palace’s four primary owners, is looking for, but it retains an interest.

Kidd is said to be one of five people involved in the group, alongside Morgan Stanley sports executive Bejan Esmaili, former Roc Nation attorney executive Wajid Mir and two Saudi businessmen Haider and Mansoor Syed, who have established a fund with the intention of purchasing a football club.

Met with Palace hierarchy

The Syed brothers have met with the Palace hierarchy, including Textor and chairman Steve Parish, attending a match at Selhurst Park and touring the club’s academy. They have yet to submit an improved offer and are one of several to show an interest in Eagle Football’s shares.

The global sports investment group Sportsbank has also made a bid, while Stanley Tang, the co-founder of US food delivery company DoorDash, has considered a purchase.

Juventus target new front-of-shirt sponsor deal by end of season

Juventus CEO Maurizio Scanavino has said the club anticipates striking a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal before the end of the current season after failing to find a new partner over the summer.

The Turin club are yet to sign a new deal following the termination of its agreement with Jeep at the conclusion of last season, which marked the end of a 12-year partnership.

Speaking yesterday at the latest Juventus shareholders' meeting, Scanavino said: “We are in negotiations with several brands and companies of international standing and visibility. We consider closing an important agreement by the end of this season.”

Sleeve sponsorship

Last month, Juventus signed a sleeve sponsorship deal with wealth management group Azimut. However, with no front-of-shirt sponsorship deal in place, since the start of the season the gap has been filled with the logo of the charity Save The Children.

“In the meantime, we have given our willingness to continue the collaboration with Save The Children, an opportunity to do good,” said Scanavino.

Sporting CP launch new €40 million bond issue to refinance debt

Sporting Clube de Portugal are once again turning to bondholders to refinance debt, with the launch of a €40 million issue to be repaid in 2028. It follows the launch in March this year of a €50 million bond issue maturing in 2027.

With a gross interest rate of 5.25 per cent, the latest bond was issued between 18th and 31st October and attracted 2,690 small investors. In total, 8 million bonds were issued with a nominal value of €5 each.

Most of the investors (745) contributed between €2,505 and €5,000, while 218 opted for the minimum investment of €2,500. Only 84 people invested more than €50,000.

Divided into two parts

As reported by the club to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), the objective of the latest issue is to "diversify and optimise sources of financing,” and "finance current activity and strengthen liquidity".

The operation was divided into two parts: an offer of new debt and another of exchange of securities that matured this year. In addition to the new issuance, 511 investors exchanged bonds of the previous issue, maturing in 2024, for the new securities maturing in 2028.
 

A number of English top-flight clubs have reserved the right to seek compensation against Manchester City over the club’s 115 alleged Premier League rule breaches ahead of a deadline which arrived on Tuesday, The Times has reported.

The action was advised by lawyers even before the outcome of the case as there is a potential six-year statute of limitation period dating back to 5th November, 2018 when Der Spiegel first published the Football Leaks documents.

If the serious charges against City are found proven, clubs could claim for loss of income for missing out on the league title or European competitions over the course of several seasons, which could total hundreds of millions of pounds.

Rule X

Clubs cannot sue each other through the courts under Premier League rules but they can do so through arbitration under Rule X.

Lawyers are understood to have advised clubs that if they waited until the outcome of the hearing into the 115 alleged rule breaches then there would be a risk any compensation claim could be deemed to be out of time.

City have always denied any wrongdoing and say they have “irrefutable evidence” that will clear them.

Premier League clubs to vote on amended APT rules later this month

Premier League clubs are set to vote on proposed amendments to the league’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules at a meeting in London on 22nd November.

It is understood the clubs have received the proposals in the form of a detailed 14-page document, which has been seen by The Times, that focuses on the outcome of Manchester City’s recent legal challenge to the rules.

An independent tribunal found last month that certain elements of the rules were “unlawful”, citing the exclusion of shareholder loans as a key area that needed to be addressed. City argued that the cost of such loans should be included in the league’s financial regulations.

Equity injection investments

According to The Times, under the new proposals, which are the result of meetings of the Premier League’s legal advisory group and financial controls advisory group, the exclusion of shareholder loans has been removed, with only equity injection investments remaining exempt.

It is also understood that the definition of fair market value has been softened slightly from whether the amount “would” be sold to “could” be sold between willing parties. In addition, the words “in normal market conditions” have gone, along with three paragraphs outlining what that actually means.

This could prove highly significant as it would make allowances for the value an oil-rich Middle Eastern state may place on an association with a top-flight English club. At the centre of the Premier League’s dispute with City was a new sponsorship agreement with Etihad Airways.

Sheffield United move closer to US takeover worth over £100 million

Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah has agreed terms to sell the club to the US consortium led by Steve Rosen in a deal worth more than £100 million, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

The final parts of the deal still need to be approved by the EFL but there is said to be confidence of Rosen taking control of the Championship club after progress was made in the last few weeks.

It is understood the deal will be worth £105 million, with Rosen also set to buy the hotel adjacent to Bramall Lane. The US businessman may look to attend this Sunday’s derby against Sheffield Wednesday but travel plans have not been finalised.

For sale since May 2023

Sheffield United, who are currently vying for an immediate return back to the Premier League following last season’s relegation, have been for sale since at least May 2023.

A previous agreed deal with another American, Henry Mauriss, collapsed before Nigerian businessman Dozy Mmobuosi failed to convince the EFL he had the capability to run the South Yorkshire club.

Wolves owner Fosun buys back minority stake from Peak6

Wolverhampton Wanderers owner, the Chinese group Fosun, has bought back a minority stake in its subsidiary, Fosun Sports, from American investment firm PEAK6.

The Chicago-based company acquired the stake in Fosun Sports in October 2021. However, as reported by The Athletic, Fosun has now bought the shares back for around $50 million.

PEAK6 Investments, led by co-founders Jenny Just and Matt Hulsizer, owns a range of companies and previously held stakes in AFC Bournemouth and AS Roma.

Created to hold the club

Fosun International acquired Wolves in 2016 and created Fosun Sports to hold the club. Besides the football team, Fosun Sports also runs e-sports teams, mobile games and a music label.

Following the initial sale to PEAK6 three years ago, the US firm’s director John Makowiec also became a director of Wolves, but the partnership has now ended after Fosun regained the shares.

Wolves are currently bottom of the Premier League after failing to win a match so far this season.

Mendy wins majority of claim against Manchester City over £11.5 million of unpaid wages

Former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has won the majority of his employment tribunal claim against the club over £11.5 million in unpaid salary.

The wages were withheld by City after the France international was charged with sex offences. He was later cleared of all charges after two trials.

Following a hearing at Manchester Employment Tribunal, employment judge Joanne Dunlop said she had concluded that Mendy is "entitled to recover some, but not all of the sums claimed".

She said that while Mendy was not in custody, he was "ready and willing" to work and was "prevented from doing so which was unavoidable or involuntary on his part".

Exact amount

The exact amount Mendy will receive is to be calculated by the player and the club, or determined at a future hearing if they cannot reach an agreement.

A statement from Mendy noted that the tribunal had found City “had unlawfully made deductions from my wages for a total period of 16 months and 23 days,” adding: “Having had to wait for three years for my wages, I am delighted with the decision.”

According to Reuters, financial investigators conducted searches at the offices of France's Professional Football League LFP and the private equity fund CVC Capital Partners on Tuesday.

This action follows an allegation of misappropriation of public funds and is part of an investigation that began on July 16, 2024, involving charges of embezzlement, bribery, and illegal taking of interest.

The investigation was prompted by a complaint from the 'AC!' association, which alleged misappropriation of funds in 2022 related to the creation of the LFP1 subsidiary. In 2022, CVC Capital acquired a 13 per cent stake in the LFP's media rights business company for €1.5 billion.

LFP is cooperating

A recent French Senate report criticized the management of French professional football, suggesting that while the long-term benefits of the CVC deal for clubs are uncertain, its advantages for LFP management were clear and immediate.

The LFP has stated that it is cooperating with judicial authorities and insists that its actions have always been in full compliance with regulations and in the best interest of French football.

Manchester United's stadium decision postponed

Manchester United have postponed the decision on whether to redevelop their historic Old Trafford stadium or construct a new venue until next summer, as reported by The Telegraph.

The club are considering a new 100,000-capacity stadium as part of a significant regeneration project, which could be facilitated by acquiring additional land around their current location.

According to a survey sent to around 500,000 United supporters, 52 percent are open to the idea of building a new stadium, while 31 percent prefer redevelopment of Old Trafford, and 17 percent remain undecided.

Generational divide

The survey also revealed a generational divide among fans, with younger season ticket holders favoring staying at Old Trafford and older fans more supportive of a new stadium. The club noted that the survey was the largest it had undertaken, with 90 percent of respondents expressing positivity about the ambition to deliver a world-class stadium at the heart of a regenerated district.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family, United's co-owners, are being encouraged by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, led by Lord Coe, to maximize the potential impact of any development.

Ipswich CEO calls for VAR to go

Ipswich Town's chief executive Mark Ashton has expressed his dissatisfaction with VAR, to the extent that he would vote against its continued use if given the opportunity, according to The Telegrapgh.

His comments come after a Premier League match against Leicester City, during which he felt compelled to text Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited, due to frustration with decisions made on the field.

According to Ashton, he reached out to Webb mid-match because he anticipated issues with the officiating. Ipswich was denied a penalty and later saw Kalvin Phillips sent off with a second yellow card, which was followed by a late equalizer from Leicester.

Changed his mind

Initially supporting VAR based on presentations from the Premier League and despite a petition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for its removal, Ashton now questions the system. He said, "If I was asked to make that vote again tomorrow, I can’t look you in the eye and say I would vote the same way."

Ashton criticized VAR for negatively impacting the entertainment value of games and is set for further discussions with Webb regarding its use. Ipswich Town, recently promoted, is experiencing VAR for the first time since their return to the top flight after an absence since 2002.

Arsenal have confirmed that their sporting director Edu Gaspar is to leave the club, with reports indicating he is set to join up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and his network of clubs.

In a statement released yesterday, Arsenal said: “Edu Gaspar has today resigned from his position as our sporting director”. The former Gunners midfielder said: “Now it is time to pursue a different challenge.”

According to a report from The Independent, the Brazilian has been in talks with the Marinakis group and is now set to lead their recruitment to assist with Forest, as well as Greek club Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave.

Tripling of wages

It is understood Edu had held ambitions to become CEO at Arsenal, a position the Marinakis group is willing to meet, while also improving his wages by more than three times that of his existing salary at the Emirates.

Edu has established himself as one of the game’s leading sporting directors after impressing with both signings and trimming down Arsenal’s squad after selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

FIGC assembly approves Gravina reforms amid clash with Serie A

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) assembly has approved the amendments to the Federal Statute proposed by its president, Gabriele Gravina, as a dispute with Serie A over the changes looks set to continue.

As reported by Italian media, of the accredited delegates at yesterday’s assembly, there were 376.35 votes in favour of the changes (81.5 per cent of those entitled to vote), 29.33 votes against (6.35 per cent) and 46.40 abstentions (10.05 per cent).

Of the Serie A representatives eligible to vote, there were eight votes against and 12 abstentions. The league has been seeking greater autonomy in organising its competitions and a binding say in matters that exclusively affect the league.

Federal Council’s power maintained

The amendments to the Federal Statute acknowledge “full autonomy of the leagues in organising their competitions,” but maintain the Federal Council’s power to coordinate competitive activities and deliberate on the organisation of the championships, in agreement with the leagues.

The updated Statute also grants Serie A a “right of agreement” on federal regulations that exclusively concern it. However, Serie A views this as insufficient, believing it maintains the previous system without recognising true autonomy.

In response, the Italian league has been considering countermeasures, including a possible legal challenge to the legitimacy of yesterday’s FIGC assembly.

Paris Saint-Germain announce record revenues of €805 million for 2023/24

Paris Saint-Germain have announced record revenues of €805 million for the 2023/24 financial year, up from the €801.8 million earned the previous year.

The figure was included in a report presented by the club on its economic and societal impact, which was produced by the French Centre for Sports Law and Economics (CDES).

In 2022/23, PSG generated the third highest turnover in European football, behind Real Madrid (€831.4 million) and Manchester City (€826 million). The Ligue 1 champion’s revenues have now grown by a yearly average of 17.9 per cent since 2010/11.

Total economic impact of €243 million

The CDES report said PSG generated a total economic impact of €243 million for the Île-de-France region in 2023/2024, compared with €182.2 million in 2018/19, when the previous CDES report was produced.

The study also found that PSG’s total contribution to the region's public finances amounted to more than €371 million in 2023/24, an increase of 44 per cent compared to 2018/19, and the equivalent of 7.4 per cent of the region's budget.

Marinakis sues owner of rival Greek club for defamation

Evangelos Marinakis, the Greek owner of Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos, is suing Irini Karipidis, the owner of rival Greek club Aris, for more than £2.1 million in a high court libel claim.

Marinakis is taking the action over an alleged “smear campaign” including “false” allegations of match-fixing following allegations made on a website, social media, and mobile billboards between November 2023 and March 2024.

A court hearing was told the allegations, which Marinakis denies, along with separate accusations over a separate drug trafficking case. Barristers for Marinakis said the allegations were “completely untrue” and that the case should proceed in an English court because it had a “real prospect of success”.

Forest-themed website

The court heard that allegations had appeared on a Forest-themed website, X, and YouTube as well as mobile billboards viewed around the City Ground on matchdays. The YouTube channel, X account, and website were later taken down.

David Sherborne, who represents Marinakis, said in written submissions to the court: “The allegations which Mr Marinakis complains of are completely untrue and nothing in the defendants’ evidence comes anywhere close to substantiating [the claims].”

Representing Karipidis is Matthew Hodson, who told the court that the publications were “procured or created by a US PR firm” named Harris Media, which was paid $25,000 but is not involved in the case, and that there was no evidence of “actual harm” to Marinakis’s reputation.

The global sports investment group Sportsbank has emerged as a leading contender to acquire John Textor’s 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace with a bid of more than £200 million, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

The consortium is understood to be made up of a collection of investors from North America, Canada, Europe and the Gulf, including Zechariah Janjua and Navshir Jaffer, who are both said to be fans of Palace.

The group is being advised by the veteran football financier Keith Harris, who has been linked with dozens of takeovers in recent decades, including at other Premier League clubs such as Manchester City and
Aston Villa.

Three serious suitors

It is believed the Sportsbank group is one of three serious suitors the New York bank Raine Group has been dealing with in relation to the Palace stake for at least two months.

Textor, who first confirmed he was selling in May, is expected to advance with a preferred bidder in November. The American businessman remains keen to own a controlling interest in another English club, having missed out on a proposal to buy Everton.

UK government ‘asked for updates’ on Premier League’s 115 charges against Manchester City

Senior officials at the British Foreign Office asked for updates about the Premier League’s charges against Manchester City for 115 alleged rule breaches, new documents seen by The Times have shown.

James Cleverly, who was foreign secretary in the previous Conservative government, asked for an update in September 2023, while the British Embassy in Dubai asked for the latest information on the case in May this year.

The information is revealed in copies of emails obtained by The Times from a freedom of information request to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Although most of the information is heavily redacted on the grounds that it could damage the UK’s relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the emails show that ministers, MPs and officials received updates on the charges.

Vice-president of UAE

City are owned by Sheikh Mansour of Abu Dhabi, the vice-president of the UAE. Emails show the Foreign Office remained insistent it was an independent process being carried out by the Premier League in which it had no involvement.

An independent commission’s hearing into the charges began in September and is due to finish in the middle of November, with the outcome announced early next year. City are contesting the alleged rule breaches and have said they have “irrefutable evidence” that will support their case.

St. Pauli set target of €30 million from sale of stadium shares to fans

St. Pauli have confirmed they are hoping to raise up to €30 million in fresh capital from the sale of shares in the Bundesliga club’s Millerntor Stadium to supporters.

In a statement, the Hamburg club announced it will sell shares to a new fans co-operative, Football Cooperative St. Pauli eG, with the process beginning on 10th November and expected to run until the end of January.

Individual supporters can buy shares at €850 each and the aim is to raise enough for the cooperative to purchase a majority stake in the stadium.

First of its kind

It is thought the co-operative fundraising model is the first of its kind in football. Andreas Borcherding, chair of the co-operative’s managing board, said: “We have the great honour of being responsible for the first cooperative in the professional game anywhere in the world.”

St. Pauli, who returned to the German top-flight after finishing top of Bundesliga 2 last season, have refused to take sponsorship from betting and cryptocurrency firms.

Vitesse Arnhem attract takeover interest from City Football Group and Red Bull

The City Football Group (CFG) and Red Bull are reported to be ready to compete for a potential acquisition of the financially strapped Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.

According to the Dutch newspaper De Gelderlander, both CFG and Red Bull and showing interest in buying the beleaguered club, with dialogue involving the relevant parties said to be at an early stage.

Vitesse narrowly avoided bankruptcy this summer, but are still looking for a new owner so that operations can be secured in the long run. They are currently second from bottom in the Dutch second division.

Deducted 18 points

Back in April Vitesse were deducted 18 points by the Dutch FA (KNVB) for breaching its licensing regulations, confirming their relegation from the Eredivisie.

Having been formed in 1892, Vitesse are one of the oldest clubs in Dutch football, and there are said to be concerns among fans over whether a takeover by a multi-club group such as CFG or Red Bull could come at the cost of the team’s identity and autonomy.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, is set to reduce its international sports investments by up to 20% to concentrate on local businesses and the nation's economy.

The PIF's governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, stated that the fund's investment in international sports properties has surged from 2% to 30% in recent years, and the goal is to bring it down to between 18% and 20%.

According to a report from Spanish media Palco 23, the PIF has a portfolio of approximately €851 billion.

Stakes in Saudi clubs

Al-Rumayyan highlighted a significant shift in investor relations with the PIF, noting an increase in co-investments. In April, the PIF acquired a 75% stake in four major Saudi clubs: Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Nassr. The remaining 25% is held by non-profit foundations.

Newcastle United FC is among the football clubs in PIF's portfolio. The Premier League club received a £70 million capital boost from their owners last season. Beyond football, the PIF has explored acquiring Formula 1 from Liberty Media and also owns LIV Golf, a new professional golf circuit competing with established tours like the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.

Eintracht Frankfurt reports record turnover for 2023/24 season

Eintracht Frankfurt Fußball AG have reported a record turnover for the 2023/24 season.

During a press conference, the outgoing CFO Oliver Frankenbach, who was set to leave the company on October 31, 2024, unveiled the financial report showcasing a significant increase in turnover and profit after tax.

The Bundesliga club achieved a turnover of €390.5 million, surpassing the previous season's €310.2 million, and a profit after tax of €26.9 million. The 2023/24 season's financial success was primarily driven by record transfer revenues totaling €143.2 million.

Decline in other revenues

Despite this growth, the club experienced declines in revenue across almost all areas related to home match hosting due to participating in the UEFA Europa Conference League instead of the UEFA Champions League as in the previous season. This included a decrease in media rights exploitation revenues from €140.5 million to €92.6 million, marking a 34.1 per cent drop.

However, merchandising sales remained stable at €23.4 million, nearly matching the prior year's figure. Additionally, there was a notable 20.4 per cent increase in sales from subsidiaries, rising from €33.9 million to €40.8 million.

Bologna partners with Webuild for €200 million stadium renovation

Bologna FC 1909 have entered into an exclusive agreement with construction firm Webuild for the renovation of Stadio Dall’Ara, with plans to invest €200 million in the project, the club have announced.

The deal, which lasts until December 31, 2027, grants Webuild the rights to conduct technical feasibility studies and manage the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).

This renovation is part of a broader Public Private Partnership initiative developed by Bologna FC in collaboration with the city council. The refurbished stadium will support Bologna's bid to host UEFA EURO 2032 matches.

Other stadiums in the portfolio

The project also encompasses redevelopment of the “Antistadio” area and construction of a temporary stadium to host Bologna FC's home games during renovations.

Webuild boasts a portfolio of nine major stadiums worldwide, including Milan's iconic Stadio San Siro and Rome's Stadio Olimpico.

Partizan Belgrade faces financial crisis

Rasim Ljajić, the new president of Serbian football club Partizan Belgrade, has disclosed that the club is facing a severe financial crisis with debts exceeding €45 million.

The club's largest debt is €22 million owed in taxes to the state, but substantial amounts are also due to agents, former players, and other clubs, stemming from unpaid wages and commissions, the club have stated.

According to Ljajić, Partizan currently lacks the financial resources to fulfill its obligations and is finding it challenging to make payments. The management is seeking to renegotiate and reschedule the debt repayments.

Impending salary reductions

"Monthly expenses for salaries amount to €1.2 million, including the staff and football players, while our income is practically zero," Ljajić stated, emphasizing the dire need for cost-cutting measures. He announced impending salary reductions for Partizan's employees and a significant decrease in the club's overall expenses.

The annual budget needs to be slashed from €22 million to possibly as low as €16 or €17 million for the club to remain solvent. Ljajić mentioned that selling even one player could be critical for survival, though he acknowledged that this is more hopeful than certain, given the current circumstances.

FIFA accused of human rights abuses in new report

FIFA, the governing body of world football, has been accused of contributing to "very serious and systematic human rights abuses" in a new report by the human rights group FairSquare.

The 140-page report, titled 'Substitute: the case for the external reform of FIFA', is based on extensive interviews and field research, assessing the impact of World Cups since South Africa 2010.

According to The Independent, the report argues that FIFA's current structure, centralized around an executive president supported by a one-member-one-vote system, is a negative force that fails to self-regulate and is conflicted by its dual role as regulator and competition organizer.

Governance criticized under Infantino

According to the report, FIFA's governance has deteriorated since Gianni Infantino's presidency began in 2016, especially in areas such as the development of women's football. The organization is under scrutiny for its relationship with Saudi Arabia, which is expected to be awarded the 2034 World Cup in a controversial voting process.

FairSquare highlights issues with the FIFA Forward programme, which redistributes funds among member associations but lacks transparency and seems designed to secure political support rather than address specific development needs. The report concludes that FIFA's financial distribution system appears to prioritize buying political support at the expense of sustainable development of the game.

Lyon owner John Textor’s investment vehicle, Eagle Football Holdings, is seeking to borrow around $300 million to help repay part of a loan from Ares Management Corp. as part of a broader recapitalisation plan, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The company, whose portfolio of clubs also includes Botafogo, RWD Molenbeek and Crystal Palace, is said to be working with Toronto-Dominion Bank’s TD Cowen unit to gauge appetite from lenders, including private credit firms.

Sources told Bloomberg that at least some of the proceeds will be used to repay part of a roughly $500 million debt package that Eagle took out from Ares to support the Lyon takeover, which was completed in December 2022.

It is understood Eagle may also use some funds from the planned sale of its 45 per cent shareholding in Crystal Palace to help repay the Ares loan. In a statement given to Bloomberg, Eagle said it plans to identify a finalist to buy the Palace stake in early November.

IPO in first quarter of 2025

The moves are part of Eagle’s efforts to raise a combined $1.1 billion in equity and debt to recapitalise its business. The group told Bloomberg that it aims to raise as much as $100 million selling shares in Eagle to pre-IPO investors and targets another $500 million from a planned IPO in the first quarter of 2025.

Eagle added that it has hired three investment banks for the offering and is poised to confidentially file for the listing in early November. The company also said it is projecting more than $225 million of income from player sales in 2024/25.

UEFA pledges €1 billion in new six-year plan for women’s football

UEFA has pledged to commit €1 billion as part of a new six-year strategy for women’s football in Europe, with plans to increase the number of professional leagues across the continent from four to six.

Through the strategy, which is titled ‘Unstoppable’ and will run from 2024 to 2030, UEFA is committing to increase the number of fully professional players across Europe from 3,049 to 5,000 by 2030.

In a statement, UEFA said the strategy will also help football become “the most-played team sport for women and girls in every European country, through developing football pathways for players, coaches and referees alongside grassroots opportunities.”

Player welfare

An additional key focus of the strategy is player welfare, amid an increasingly congested international and domestic fixture schedule. UEFA said it will have more “informed conversations” with players and their representatives to help address the issue.

The governing body added that it will work with national associations and other stakeholders to create a “long-term women’s international match calendar that reflects the needs of the professional game”.

FIFA unveils Hisense as first Club World Cup sponsor

FIFA has announced Hisense as the first sponsor of its expanded 32-team Club World Cup in a deal that will brand video review checks at the tournament taking place in the US next summer.

It follows months of speculation about when sponsors for the competition would be signed up. FIFA is still yet to agree any broadcast deals for the tournament after talks over a global streaming deal with Apple+ stalled.

In a statement, FIFA said Hisense will have “branding appearing in the video operation room and on pitchside screens.”

The Chinese consumer electronics firm was the official ‘VAR Screen Provider’ for Euro 2024 in Germany. No previous FIFA tournament has had a sponsor for video reviews since the technology was approved before the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“Further sponsorship deals”

FIFA said the new Hisense deal “paves the way for further sponsorship deals for FIFA’s new flagship club competition to be announced in the coming weeks.”

Saudi Arabian sponsors are expected to sign up soon. However, US sponsors have been more focused on deals for the 2026 World Cup that will be co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.

Rangers post £17.2 million loss for 2023/24 despite record revenues

Rangers have reported a loss of £17.2 million for the year ending 30th June, 2024 despite earning record revenues of £88.3 million.

It follows the loss of £4.1 million recorded for 2022/23, when revenues totalled £83.8 million. The club, who finished second in the Scottish Premiership last season, posted an operating loss of £2 million for 2023/24, down from £10.5 million the previous year.

However, the profit on player sales fell to £5.6 million, compared with £23.6 million in 2022/23.

Matchday income rose from £39.9 million to £43.8 million, while commercial revenue increased from £6.3 million to £7.9 million, and broadcast income climbed from £6.2 million to £6.7 million.

Wage bill falls to £61.2 million

Total operating expenses amounted to £109.8 million, up 1.7 per cent on the £108 million spent the previous year, although the club’s wage bill declined from £64 million to £61.2 million.

Commenting on the £17.2 million loss, Rangers' chief financial officer James Taylor said: “A lot of that loss is coming down to the impact of the player trading model in this year taking impairments on players from the recent past that we've moved on in the summer.

FIFA ‘in dispute with Adidas and Coca-Cola’ over Club World Cup sponsorship

FIFA is reported to be in dispute with its long-term partners Adidas and Coca-Cola over sponsorship rights for the Club World Cup due to be held next June and July in the US.

According to The Guardian, separate cases have been lodged at the Swiss Arbitration Centre in Zurich and are expected to be heard in the coming weeks.

FIFA has so far announced only one sponsor for the 32-team tournament, and that is believed to relate to disputes with Adidas and Coca-Cola over an agreement in their deals that FIFA will include them as official sponsors of all its competitions.

Sources told The Guardian that both companies are “less than thrilled with the situation” after FIFA attempted to negotiate new contracts for the revamped Club World Cup.

$70 million deals

Adidas and Coca-Cola signed deals to 2030 thought to be worth about $70 million for each four-year cycleand are believed to have been unwilling to enter a tender process.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are contracting or in advanced negotiations with a range of tournament partners for the new FIFA Club World Cup,” adding: “The interest from the market is very strong, and the deals being negotiated are with both new brands and existing FIFA sponsors.”

WSL agrees £65 million five-year broadcast deal with Sky Sports and BBC

The Women’s Super League (WSL) has struck a new five-year domestic broadcast rights deal with Sky Sports and the BBC to show almost every match live on television, beginning with the 2025/26 season.

The value of the deal is undisclosed, but according to The Guardian the rights fee is worth around £65 million across the duration of the five seasons, plus production costs, taking the broadcasters’ total investment in the women’s game to comfortably over £100 million.

The new agreement represents a huge increase on the current deal, which is believed to be worth between £7 million and £8 million per season.

Sky Sports are understood to be contributing the vast majority of that investment and, in return, have been given up to 118 live WSL matches per season, 78 of which will be exclusive to Sky. It will also have 75 per cent of the first-choice picks.

BBC to show up to 21 games

The BBC has committed to showing up to 21 matches a season live, 14 of which will be exclusive to BBC TV, with the remaining seven shared. Any matches not selected for live TV broadcast will be shown live on YouTube.

It means fans will be able to watch all 132 games in a WSL season live either on TV or online. It is also understood there will be a large increase in the number of Women’s Championship matches broadcast live on YouTube. Sky also have the option to broadcast matches live.