Real Madrid have insisted they will honour their commitment to play in FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup next summer despite comments from manager Carlo Ancelotti claiming they would “refuse the invitation”.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Giornale, Ancelotti claimed Madrid and other clubs would not participate in the 32-team tournament. “One single Real Madrid game is worth €20 million, and FIFA want to give us that amount for the entire competition. Negative,” he said.

However, the Italian later sought to clarify his position and indicated he was in support of playing, with the club also releasing a statement backing their participation.
Ancelotti said: “In my interview with Il Giornale, my words about the FIFA Club World Cup have not been interpreted in the way I intended.

Nothing could be further from my interest than to reject the possibility of playing in a tournament that I consider to be a great opportunity to continue fighting for major titles with Real Madrid.”

“Utmost enthusiasm”

The club statement read: “Real Madrid C. F. informs that at no time has its participation in the new Club World Cup to be organised by FIFA in the next season 2024/2025 been questioned.

“Therefore, our club will take part, as planned, in this official competition which we face with pride and with the utmost enthusiasm to once again make our millions of fans all over the world dream of a new title.”

Shakhtar Donetsk consider legal action against Tottenham over Manor Solomon move

Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Serhiy Palkin has accused Tottenham Hotspur of taking advantage of the war in Ukraine and acting “like a robber on the road” over Manor Solomon’s move from Shakhtar to North London.

The Israeli left winger was contracted to Shakhtar until the end of 2023, but moved to Spurs on a free transfer last summer after FIFA granted the right to all non-Ukrainian nationals playing in that country to suspend their contracts amid the conflict.

The suspension went beyond the end of the player’s Shakhtar deal. However, as reported by The Daily Telegraph, the Ukrainian club believe they should have been paid a fee or at least given a sizeable sell-on clause in any future move Solomon might make from Tottenham.

Ended all negotiations

Following almost a year of talks with Tottenham director Rebecca Caplehorn, Shakhtar have ended all negotiations and are now considering taking the matter to court.

Shakhtar have already taken legal action against Lyon over Mateus Tete, who moved to France on loan and then joined Leicester City on loan for which Palkin claims Lyon received a fee.

Palkin told The Telegraph: “I am feeling very bad towards Tottenham. I cannot believe this kind of club with a huge history … that they can behave like this. From my point of view, it’s not acceptable behaviour. They have taken advantage of the war.”

The Premier League has failed in an attempt to close a loophole that lets clubs use one-off profits from the sale of hotels, training grounds or other tangible assets in their financial fair play submissions.

As reported by The Athletic, the league made the proposal at its AGM last week, but only 11 of the 20 clubs backed it, significantly short of the two-thirds majority required for a change in the English top-flight’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Chelsea avoided breaching the PSR limit for the latest three-year period by selling the two hotels and car parks at Stamford Bridge to a sister company for £76.5 million. This was enough to turn a £166.4 million loss for the 2022/23 financial year into a £89.9 million deficit for the club.

Artificial windfall profits

The English Football League (EFL) stopped its clubs from using artificial windfall profits on property sales in 2021, after half a dozen clubs had sold their stadiums or training grounds to themselves in order to avoid breaching the PSR limit on permitted losses.

The Premier League considered taking the same action but its clubs did not feel strongly enough about it at the time for the league to put it to a vote. That changed, however, after Chelsea’s sales emerged earlier this year.

Everton takeover: Local businessmen vs MSP Sports Capital in new two-horse race

A new race to buy Everton has emerged between two of the club’s creditors, following the collapse of the proposed takeover by 777 Partners earlier this month, according to a report from The Times.

The local businessmen and Everton supporters Andy Bell and George Downing are understood to be competing against US investment firm MSP Sports Capital, which has previously held talks over investment in the club.

The development comes after 777 failed to come up with the funds to repay a £158 million loan on Everton’s behalf. Bell and Downing and MSP were the main creditors of that loan, which was to fund the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

A-Cap proposal

The Times also reported that a separate proposal has been put forward to Everton owner Farhad Moshiri by insurance company A-Cap, which has offered to refinance all of the club’s existing debt and take a minority equity position.

However, that would mean Moshiri would retain a majority stake, which he is no longer thought to want. In addition, A-Cap’s links to 777 Partners would bring renewed scrutiny over the suitability of such a deal for the club.

EFL Championship clubs to consider ‘multiple options’ over changes to financial rules

English Football League (EFL) Championship clubs have agreed to consider changes to the current financial rules for the division following a meeting of EFL teams last week.

In a statement, the EFL said clubs in England’s second tier have “committed to change and agreed in principle to target the end of the calendar year to determine how future cost controls in the division will work.”

The EFL added: “Clubs will now consider multiple options to enhance or replace the current Profitability and Sustainability Rules (P&S) via a new working party that will represent the views of all 24 clubs before deciding on the most appropriate direction of travel.”

Under the current P&S rules, the amount Championship clubs are permitted to lose over a three-year period is £39 million, and last month it was reported that this was set to rise to £41.5 million next season.

Leagues One and Two to update salary rules

At last week’s meeting clubs from Leagues One and Two also agreed to revise and update their set of Salary Cost Management Protocol (SCMP) rules.

The EFL said: “There was a unanimous acknowledgment amongst clubs that there is an immediate and acute need for reform in order to stem the rising losses facing both divisions, currently averaging £5m per club in League One and £1.5m in League Two.

“Clubs are committed to implementing change and will consider the issue over the course of the close season.”

Norwich City co-owner Mark Attanasio in talks over 25 per cent stake in Benfica

Norwich City joint owner Mark Attanasio, together with fellow American businessman Jean-Marc Chapus, are reported to be in discussions to acquire around 25 per cent of Benfica.

A source familiar with the talks told Sportico that the pair, who are managing partners at the Los Angeles-based investment firm Crescent Capital, are in negotiations to buy the stake from a private shareholder.

The source added they would be investing personally, not via Crescent Capital, and that the deal is for the football club only, and not the other Benfica teams that compete in sports such as basketball, volleyball and handball.

Norwich investment

Attanasio, who owns the MLB team Milwaukee Brewers, first invested in Norwich in 2022, and in April this year became a joint majority shareholder of the EFL Championship club.

The Norfolk FB Holdings group led by the American increased the size of their stake in the team from 21.5 per cent to 40.4 per cent, giving Attanasio parity with longtime owners Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones.

Manchester City’s legal dispute with the Premier League over its Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules has put the £900 million financial redistribution deal for the English Football League (EFL) at risk, according to The Times.

The newspaper revealed the action being taken by City against the league earlier this week, and it has now reported that senior Premier League club sources are citing City’s legal claim as one factor in their failure to agree on a deal with the EFL.

The sources told The Times they are reluctant to commit extra funds to the EFL if the APT rules, which are designed to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners, are deemed unlawful.

“If we have to spend more to even try to keep pace with clubs like City, we might need to hold on to that money,” one prominent Premier League source said.

£1 billion compensation claims

The Times also reported that some clubs may pursue compensation claims totalling more than £1 billion against City if they are found guilty of any or all of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules, which the club deny.

It is understood the clubs have sought legal advice and could pursue what they call “placing claims”, meaning compensation for not finishing above City in the league.

FC Barcelona set to agree new €1.28 billion kit sponsorship deal with Nike

FC Barcelona are on the verge of agreeing a new ten-year kit sponsorship deal with Nike worth at least €1.28 billion, the Catalan newspaper Sport has reported.

The American apparel giant has been Barca’s kit sponsor since 1998, but the club attempted to end the partnership earlier this year, with president Joan Laporta claiming Barcelona were being underpaid and that Nike had breached its contract.

However, in April a judge ruled the club had to see out its current deal with Nike due to expire in 2028, which it is understood may have been a key factor in the decision to strike a new agreement.

Bonus payments

According to Sport, the new contract set to be agreed will be worth between €105 million to €120 million a season depending on bonus payments for positive results on the pitch, with a signing-on fee of €100 million also included.

If the deal is confirmed, it would provide a significant boost to Barcelona as the club looks to balance its books ahead of the 30th June deadline to comply with LaLiga’s spending rules.
 

KV Oostende officially declared bankrupt as club explore options to re-establish team

KV Oostende, the Belgian club previously owned by Pacific Media Group (PMG), have officially been declared bankrupt by the Bruges division of the Commercial Court of Ghent.

The ruling follows the collapse of a proposed takeover of the club last month, which led Werner Van Oosterwyck, the administrator appointed by KVO, to announce that he had no option but to file for the bankruptcy of the club.

KVO’s financial difficulties accelerated over recent months and the court ruled that the club was “no longer able to repay its debts in a normal way and within an acceptable period of time.”

Possible merger

In a statement, KVO said they are exploring options for re-establishing the team within the Belgian pyramid, including the possibility of merging with another club.

“Time is the biggest enemy, but everything is being done to be able to present a new, financially healthy and ambitious project for the coming season,” the club said.

Manchester City have launched legal action against the Premier League that could have far-reaching consequences as they seek to end the league's Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules.

It was reported back in February that City were warning of the threat of legal action against the rules and The Times has now revealed that the club went ahead with it, filing their claim on 16th February. City believe the rules are unlawful, and are seeking damages from the Premier League.

According to The Times, the case, which has become a battle between the most powerful clubs in the country, will be settled after a two-week private arbitration hearing starting on Monday.

115 alleged breaches

As well as having a major impact on the league itself, City's appeal could have a huge effect on the separate hearing set for November into City’s 115 alleged breaches of Premier League rules, which the club deny. Sponsorship deals funded by companies linked to Abu Dhabi are central to the accusations against them.

Introduced in December 2021 in the wake of the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United, the APT rules are designed to prevent clubs from inflating commercial deals with companies linked to their owners.

However, within an 165-page legal document City argue they are the victims of “discrimination”, describing rules they say have been approved by their rivals to stifle their success on the pitch as a “tyranny of the majority”.
 

Watford target £17.5 million injection with 10 per cent share offer to fans

Watford have become the first major English club to offer fans the chance to buy shares in the club via the digital economy, with 10 per cent of the club being sold off in a crowdfunder.

In a statement, the EFL Championship club said it is seeking £17.5 million from the sale, based on a valuation of £175 million, to raise funds and help build a team who can return to the Premier League.

Supporters will be able to invest a minimum of £49.76 for four shares, with investors also given access to tokens which could lead to perks such as meeting with the owners, coaches and players and priority over tickets.

Bought using pounds or dollars

The shares will be available as “digital equity” via the American online investment platform Republic and its platform in Europe, Seedrs. However, they can be bought using pounds or dollars rather than cryptocurrency.

Republic has previously worked on similar projects with clubs lower down the leagues including AFC Wimbledon and Altrincham. Watford –owned by Italian Gino Pozzo since 2012 – have been seeking investment for the last few years.

FC Augsburg sale mulled by Blackstone executive David Blitzer

David Blitzer, the American businessman who is a key investor in FC Augsburg, is considering a potential sale of the Bundesliga club that could value it at more than €150 million, according to a report from Bloomberg.

An investor consortium led by Blitzer, who is a senior executive at the private equity firm Blackstone, is understood to be working with financial services firm Lazard to assess interest in the German club. Deliberations are said to be at an early stage and potential suitors haven’t been approached yet.

Blitzer invested into Augsburg back in 2021. In 2015, the club’s then president Klaus Hofmann acquired a 99.4 per cent stake in the club via his vehicle Hofmann Investoren. Six years later, Blitzer’s Bolt Football Holdings acquired a 45 per cent stake in the holding.

Revenues of €90 million in 2022/23

Augsburg, who finished the 2023/24 season in 11th place in the Bundesliga, the team’s best position since 2014/15, posted revenues of around €90 million for the 2022/23 financial year. German clubs are often valued at up to two times their revenues in transactions.

Earlier this year, Blackstone pulled out of the bidding to buy a stake in the Bundesliga’s media rights business, a controversial process which was abandoned after fan protests. Augsburg abstained from a vote among German clubs over the proposed deal.

Manchester United and Manchester City are set to be allowed by UEFA to compete in the same European competitions as other clubs under the same ownership next season, according to a report from The Times.

United and Nice, the Ligue 1 club owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company INEOS, have both qualified for the Europa League, while City are in the Champions League along with LaLiga side Girona, who are also part of City Football Group.

Yesterday was the deadline for submissions on multi-club ownership to UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB), and a ruling on the two Manchester clubs and others is expected within the next two weeks.

Less leeway in future

It is understood the CFCB is set to approve the Manchester clubs’ submission subject to certain conditions. However, they are to be told that the 2024/25 season will be viewed as transitional, with less leeway to be given in future seasons.

The CFCB is expected to say Girona and Nice should he operated via a “blind trust” by a panel approved by UEFA. That model was used in the 2023/24 season in a deal for AC Milan, Toulouse and their American owner RedBird Capital.
 

AS Saint-Étienne takeover by Ivan Gazidis-led group completed

AS Saint-Étienne have confirmed that the takeover of the club by Kilmer Sports, the Canadian group led by the former Arsenal and AC Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis, has been completed.

In a statement, the French club, who earned promotion back to Ligue 1 on Sunday after defeating Metz in the relegation-promotion playoff, said Gazidis will become the club’s new president and will be assisted by Huss Fahmy and Jaeson Rosenfeld, executive vice presidents in charge of football at Kilmer Sports.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed but last month L'Équipe reported that the agreement was expected to value the club at between €20 million and €30 million.

More than 20 years of ownership

The takeover marks the end of more than 20 years of ownership of Saint-Étienne by Bernard Caïazzo and Roland Romeyer. They initially wanted to find new owners back in April 2021 when the club were still in Ligue 1, but dropped the idea following the team’s relegation in 2021/22.

However, last November it was reported that the duo had been forced to begin the search for a buyer, with losses of between €15 million and €20 million since the club dropped down to the second tier.
 

EFL approves Burton Albion takeover by Nordic Football Group

Burton Albion have confirmed that the takeover of the League One club by the Swedish-based Nordic Football Group (NFG) is complete following approval of the deal by the EFL, with long-serving chairman Ben Robinson selling his majority stake.

In a statement, Burton also announced that the outgoing chairman’s daughter Fleur Robinson has been appointed as the club’s new CEO, following three years in the same role at Wrexham, while Robinson's son, Ben Robinson Jr, will remain "an integral part of the club’s operations".

Ole Jakob Strandhagen will become Burton's chairman, while NFG’s founder Tom Davidson, sporting director Bendik Hareide and commercial director Kevin Skabo also join the new board.

Almost 40 years in charge

Robinson's time in charge, totalling almost 40 years over two spells as chairman, has brought a new home at the Pirelli Stadium, in 2005, followed by promotion to the EFL in 2009, with a team built by Nigel Clough.

However, Burton’s fortunes on the pitch have declined over recent years. They finished 20th in League One last season, when they lost on the final day but stayed up as Cheltenham Town also lost.

Everton have confirmed that 777 Partners’ proposed takeover of the club has fallen through after the US investment firm’s deadline to complete the purchase of Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake passed on Saturday morning.

Moshiri has opted not to grant another extension and the Merseyside club are now free to talk to other investors. In a statement, Everton said they will “assess all options for the club’s future ownership.”

The club added that its “board of directors recognises the considerable level of financial support 777 Partners has provided the club over recent months and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for this.”

Loans totalling £200 million

Since last September, 777 has loaned Everton around £200 million to cover working capital and construction costs for the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and would become junior creditors.

Doubts over the Miami-based group’s takeover bid accelerated over recent weeks amid a crumbling business portfolio, accusations they are guilty of fraud running into hundreds of millions of pounds, and the appointment of crisis management specialists.

Spanish Super Cup deal: Piqué investigated over alleged illegal payments from Saudi Arabia

The former FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué has been put under official investigation for his alleged role in illegal payments that were made to relocate the Spanish Super Cup to Saudi Arabia.

A Spanish judge, Delia Rodrigo, said there were indications of financial misconduct in a deal between Piqué’s company, Kosmos, and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) back in 2019, when Piqué was still playing for Barcelona and competing in the Super Cup.

Rodrigo wrote: “The facts under investigation in the present proceedings originate from possible illegalities with criminal implications in contracting or agreements.”

“Success bonus”

According to the court documents, the then RFEF president Luis Rubiales, the Saudi government-owned Sela Sport Company and Piqué signed a ten-year agreement in which Kosmos would receive €40 million as a “success bonus” for the switch to Saudi Arabia.

However, documents confiscated by police raids in March showed that another €4 million a year was to be paid as a commission to Piqué’s sports entertainment company, which had its assets frozen in April.

Piqué has since retired from playing and has always defended the deal, insisting it was legal. Police arrested Rubiales and other RFEF employees in April. He was quickly released and the investigation was then expanded to include Rubiales’s successor, interim president Pedro Rocha.

Juventus to rejoin ECA after withdrawing from European Super League plans

The European Club Association (ECA) has announced that Juventus are to rejoin as members after the club withdrew from plans to form a European Super League.

The Italian giants were one of 12 clubs who signed up to form a breakaway Super League back in 2021 and were excluded from the ECA as a result. Nine have since been readmitted, with Juve becoming the tenth.

In a statement released on Saturday, ECA chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said: “ECA's door is always open to clubs who believe in collective interests, progressive reform and working constructively with all stakeholders – we are delighted Juventus will rejoin the European football family.”

Juventus started the process of withdrawing from the ESL last year, but required authorisation from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The Serie A club’s withdrawal leaves the two Spanish sides as the only teams to maintain interest in forming a breakaway league.

ECA membership rises to 658 clubs

The ECA’s statement followed a meeting of its Executive Committee in London, where it was also announced that the ECA’s membership has now grown to 658 clubs, up from 266 at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, with 100 per cent membership in 20 countries.

Watford hold talks with Anthony Joshua representatives over potential investment

Financial experts working with British boxer Anthony Joshua have held exploratory talks with Watford over an investment in the club, according to a report from The Athletic.

Although not directly involved in discussions himself, the two-time heavyweight champion was approached about the possibility of becoming involved in the EFL Championship club and talks are said to have been at “entry level”.

The proposal that was discussed is undisclosed at this stage but sources close to the talks suggested that Joshua’s potential involvement may be as part of a consortium proposition.

Club valued at £150-£175 million

Watford – owned by Italian Gino Pozzo since 2012 – have been seeking investment for the last few years and have previously held discussions with other parties regarding a minority stake in the club. Watford value the club at around £150-£175 million.

‘AJ’, as he is commonly known, has strong connections to the club. He was born at Watford General Hospital next to the club’s Vicarage Road ground, grew up in North Watford on the Meriden Estate and went to school in nearby Kings Langley.

Leeds United have announced that Red Bull is to acquire a minority stake in the EFL Championship club, marking the Austrian energy drink company’s first move into English football.

Leeds, who earlier this week lost the Championship play-off final to Southampton, also confirmed in a statement that Red Bull will become their new front-of-shirt sponsor from next season in a multi-year agreement, as well as being their exclusive energy drink partner.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed, but Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe told the Financial Times that Red Bull would be neither the largest nor the smallest minority investor in the club, with the financial figures set to fluctuate if Leeds were to return to the Premier League.

Name and logo unchanged

Red Bull was a pioneer of the multi-club strategy that has become increasingly common in football, building a portfolio of teams in places such as Leipzig, Salzburg and New York.

Each of those clubs are named for the brand, but Leeds said in their statement that “the name and logo of Leeds United Football Club will remain unchanged.” Marathe added: “Leeds will never be the Leeds Red Bulls. We will forever be Leeds United Football Club.”
 

Premier League and LaLiga threaten Club World Cup boycott amid player welfare concerns

FIFA’s new 32-team Club World Cup, which is due to begin next summer two weeks after the Champions League final, is at risk of being boycotted by teams from England and Spain, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

It is understood that Premier League and LaLiga chiefs have major concerns over the toll the revamped competition will take on players, and have threatened to pull their clubs out unless it is rescheduled.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters and LaLiga president Javier Tebas as well as Maheta Molango, the CEO of English players’ union the PFA – are all said to be on board with the boycott threat and are considering legal action.

Mandatory three-week break

The PFA believes that under the current schedule for the Club World Cup players may be forced to return to action without having the mandatory three-week break at the end of the season that is written into all professional contracts.

Molango said: “Football is killing its own product. … Current player workloads are unsustainable.” Masters was due to discuss the situation with Tebas and Molango at yesterday’s FIFPro and PFA Player Workload Conference in London.

Manchester United’s non-football staff have been invited to take redundancy en-masse as co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to make sweeping changes across the club.

As reported by The Athletic, an email sent out earlier this week told employees they have just seven days to make a decision about whether they wish to remain in their jobs at United.

Employees have been given until 5th June to decide whether to take what the club describe as “voluntary resignation”, although some staff, who did not wish to be named, argued it looked a lot more like a voluntary redundancy programme.

Early bonus payment

According to The Guardian, club staff who accept the offer in time will be entitled to early payment of their annual bonus, which would ordinarily be paid in September and can be worth four-figure sums for some staff.

Earlier this month, United employees were told by Ratcliffe that working from home would no longer be permitted and that staff must return to the office by 1st June at all locations, including the club’s offices at Old Trafford and in London, as well as their Carrington training base.

 

German 50+1 ownership rule safe for now after cartel office examines CJEU rulings

Germany's cartel office has said it still has no overall objections to the 50+1 ownership rule for professional football clubs in the country following recent rulings from the European Court of Justice (CJEU).

However, as reported by Kicker, the cartel office said it would not reach a final decision on whether the rule conforms with European antitrust law until an examination of club licensing practices by the German Football League (DFL) is complete.

It comes after the CJEU’s December 2023 ruling on UEFA and FIFA’s response to the European Super League, and proceedings with the International Ice Sports Federation (ISU), with the court ruling that athletes may also participate in events that are not subject to ISU control.

“Not an intended restriction of competition”

In a statement, the cartel office noted that the CJEU had determined for the first time "that an exemption from antitrust law is only possible for sports association regulations that are not particularly harmful to competition in themselves.”

According to the current opinion of the cartel office, the DFL's 50+1 rule is "not an intended restriction of competition and is therefore in principle exceptional".

 

Sampdoria takeover: Ferrero denies formal agreement with Gestio Capital and makes fresh legal threats

Sampdoria’s former president Massimo Ferrero has claimed the acquisition of the club by Gestio Capital has not been formally agreed despite reports earlier this week indicating the deal had been approved by all parties.

Italian media reports had stated that an agreement officially sanctioning the purchase had been signed on Tuesday by Ferrero, as well as former trustee Gianluca Vidal, and new president Matteo Manfredi.

However, according to Il Secolo XIX, news of a formal approval had been leaked by the club. The newspaper reported that Ferrero immediately intervened on the agreement, explaining "there is no signature from me. I have already taken further legal action, both civil and criminal. I'm going to have it cancelled."

Demand for €2.5 million

It is understood Ferrero claims to have put a signature on a document last week which was "never returned countersigned", and is also demanding payments amounting to around €2.5 million to cover some of his salaries as president, an item not covered by the official agreement.

Il Secolo XIX also reported that following Ferrero's vehement denial of a formal approval of the takeover, the counterparties will have to execute a series of agreements between now and October, formalising them through a set of preliminary obligations.

 

FIFA statement on UEC ‘meeting’ sparks controversy over where power lies at top of football

FIFA has sparked controversy after it released a statement seeking to clear up the circumstances surrounding a “meeting” with the Union of European Clubs, which seeks to give a voice to small and medium-sized teams in Europe.

In the statement, released on Monday, FIFA said it “wishes to clarify the context and substance of a ‘meeting’ between FIFA staff members and individuals from the Union of European Clubs (UEC) last week.”

The global governing body added: “This exchange was in no way a formal engagement of any official standing, and rather was one of circumstance to address general questions regarding the operations of the FIFA Clearing House.

“FIFA regrets and rejects any indication that it was anything otherwise. FIFA would like to take this opportunity to state for the record that it recognises only one single interlocutor and counterpart representative body for club football in Europe, that being the European Club Association.”

Boosting ECA’s ego

According to a report from The Independent, the statement raises questions about where power lies at the top of the game, with FIFA feeling it had to publicly explain the “meeting” while essentially boosting the ego of the ECA.

The newspaper said it is understood some in the ECA were put out by social media posts, which were felt as if it looked like the UEC was claiming recognition by FIFA.

 

Valencia CF claims Nou Mestalla boost after sale of land next to stadium

Valencia CF have declared that plans to finally complete the Nou Mestalla have received a major boost after announcing the sale of the land surrounding the new stadium.

In a statement, the LaLiga club said it has reached an agreement with a subsidiary of the Valencia-based investment firm Atitlan Group “for the sale of the tertiary land annexed to the Nou Mestalla”.

The club added that the deal “represents a great advance” towards the completion of the project, which has been beset by difficulties since being first unveiled back in 2006.

Deal worth €30 million

According to Spanish media reports, the deal with the Atitlan Group is worth around €30 million and was reached following discussions over the past year. It is understood that on the land, which covers 40,000 sq metres, two towers will be built that will house a hotel, offices and commercial premises.

Valencia added in their statement: “The agreement is subject to the approval of the urban planning instruments and licenses necessary for the development of both the stadium and the tertiary buildings planned by the buyer.”

Premier League clubs will be asked next week to agree to new financial proposals aimed at boosting English sides’ competitiveness in Europe by reducing the impact of UEFA’s coefficient payments, The Times has reported.

The proposal, put forward by Crystal Palace, aims to give clubs such as Aston Villa – who were surprise qualifiers for next season’s Champions League – more flexibility around spending and financial losses.

If approved the move would alter the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR), allowing clubs to claim the difference in coefficient funding between themselves and the top club in Europe as allowable losses.

“Artificial” impact

The proposal, which will go to the Premier League’s annual meeting next week, targets the “artificial” impact of coefficient payments, which are based on a club’s past ten years of results in European competitions.

The move could allow Villa, who are believed to be close to the line in terms of breaching PSR’s maximum £105 million losses over three years, an extra £20 million to £30 million in allowable financial losses.

Dutch clubs back investigation into KNVB governance

Clubs in the Netherlands have approved a proposal for the Dutch FA (KNVB)’s governance of professional football in the country to be investigated by an independent body.

As reported by Dutch media, at a vote during Monday’s general meeting of the 34 professional clubs, which is held twice a year, Ajax and Feyenoord were the only two clubs to abstain, with all other teams voting in favour of the move.

The proposal was put forward by AZ Alkmaar, who finished in fourth place in last season’s Eredivisie and have been making the case for well over a year that an investigation is needed into how decisions are made within the KNVB.

KNVB accused of favouritism

Last year, AZ Alkmaar sent a letter to the KNVB accusing its decision-makers of, among other things, favouritism, and suggested that PSV, Ajax and Feyenoord also known as – PAF – occupy a preferential position within the association.

Following Monday’s approval of AZAlkmaar’s proposal, a committee will now elaborate further on what the investigation into the Dutch FA’s governance will look like.

Sheffield United takeover edges closer as US consortium submits plans to EFL

The proposed takeover of Sheffield United by a consortium of Silicon Valley-based private investors has moved a step closer after the group submitted their plans to the English Football League (EFL), according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

Negotiations are said to have progressed between the American investors and Prince Abdullah, the owner of the South Yorkshire club, over a sale worth more than £100 million.

After talks were accelerated over the last week, it is understood that members of the consortium have travelled to England as they attempt to close the deal, with due diligence completed on the buyers’ side.

Owners and directors’ test

According to the report, the plans have now gone to the EFL, which would be required to conduct an owners and directors’ test and ask the potential owners for information about their plans for the future and proof of funds before approving any takeover.

There is said to be confidence the final steps will be completed so the new owners can assume control over the summer. Sheffield United will play in the EFL Championship next season following their relegation from the Premier League.

CBS Sports president David Berson: Champions League games in US ‘routinely talked about’

David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports, has revealed that Champions League and other UEFA club competition matches taking place in the US is an idea the network would welcome and is “something UEFA would like.”

At a press conference ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final, Berson was asked by The Athletic if any discussions have taken place with UEFA over more meaningful access for US football supporters and games to take place in the country.

“It’s a good question and you’re right,” Berson said. “That is something that is routinely talked about. … I would not be surprised if over the course of these next six years, you’ll see that in play. It’s something we welcome. I think it’s something UEFA would like.”

Legal dispute settled

The possibility of taking one-off fixtures outside of their usual jurisdictions increased earlier this year after FIFA settled a legal dispute with the American promoters Relevent Sports.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously told the Men in Blazers podcast that Champions League matches in the US is a possibility.

Sampdoria takeover by Gestio Capital finally approved after signing of formal agreement

The acquisition of Sampdoria by Gestio Capital, the London-based wealth management advisory firm led by Matteo Manfredi, has finally been given formal approval following proceedings in a Milan court yesterday.

After a wait of several weeks, an agreement that officially sanctions the purchase was signed by the club’s former president Massimo Ferrero, former trustee Gianluca Vidal, and Manfredi himself, who is now officially the club’s new president.

The move follows a long-running dispute between Sampdoria’s old and new owners. Under the agreement signed by all parties, all the requests on both sides have now lapsed – seen as marking a definitive break with the club’s recent past.

99.6 per cent of shares

Gestio Capital, which initially took over Sampdoria last June, now owns 99.6 per cent of the shares in the club after the Ferrero family’s remaining shareholding, representing around 21 per cent of the club, was absorbed by the London-based firm.

Reports last year had indicated that Aser Ventures, founded by the former Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, had acquired Sampdoria together with Gestio Capital, but Manfredi’s company owns the club outright.

A Spanish court has ruled that FIFA and UEFA “abused their dominant position“ and “prevented free competition” by opposing the establishment of the European Super League, reports senior correspondent, James Corbett.

The judgement was published on Monday by the Madrid Commercial Court. The full implications are unclear, but it aligned with a prior ruling by the European Court of Justice (CJEU) which instructed both governing bodies to “halt anti-competitive behaviour.”

The court found that FIFA and UEFA had enforced ”unjustified and disproportionate restrictions” on free market competition, a conclusion reached following a case initiated by A22 Sports Management, the promoters behind the Super League project.

The CJEU had previously determined that the prohibition on the Super League violated European law, citing a lack of clear criteria from UEFA for approving new competitions.

Judge rejects blanket bans in football

Judge Sofia Gil Garcia, in her Monday ruling, articulated that it is impermissible to impose blanket prohibitions on future football initiatives, stating, "To admit the contrary would be tantamount to accepting a kind of ban ... on any football competition project that competes with the current Champions League."

Despite its initial collapse, the Super League has remained in the shadows, with eleven of the initial twelve clubs retaining shareholdings in the company behind it. The rebel clubs also retain a vested interest in ongoing litigation which, as Off The Pitch has previously reported, has seen settlement agreements with governing bodies largely or wholly curtailed.


 

A22 and UEFA claim victories from Madrid court ruling on European Super League

A22, the company behind the European Super League project, and UEFA both claimed victories from yesterday’s ruling by Madrid’s commercial court over the response of UEFA and FIFA to the ill-fated launch of the original ESL back in April 2021.

In a statement from A22, its CEO Bernd Reichart said: “We welcome the ruling of the Madrid Court. It's an important step towards a truly competitive and sustainable club football landscape in Europe.

“For too long UEFA has been allowed to control and dominate club football at European level. UEFA’s statutes and the aggressive actions taken to protect its monopoly have stifled innovation for decades and clubs should not have to fear threats of sanctions simply for having ideas and conversations.

“The era of the monopoly is now definitively over. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with clubs of all sizes to improve club football at international level to make it more accessible and compelling for fans of all ages.”

UEFA’s authorisation rules

However, UEFA also welcomed the Madrid court’s verdict. A statement read: “UEFA is pleased to note that the judge confirmed the validity of a pre-authorisation system being in place for third party competitions to be approved under UEFA’s authorisation rules and recognised the undoubted benefits of such rules for the football sporting system.

“The court also confirmed that the current version of UEFA’s authorisation rules (as adopted in June 2022) is not affected by today’s ruling.

“Further, the court has not given the green light to, nor has it approved, projects like the Super League. In fact, the judge has asserted that the Super League project has long been abandoned and that she cannot be expected to rule on any abstract projects.

“In short, the judgment does not give third parties the right to develop competitions without authorisation and does not concern any future project or indeed any modified version of an existing project.”