Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales has admitted that the club may have to sell at least one of their star players to avoid breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules after the club announced a loss of £73.4 million for the year ending 30th June 2023.

That figure follows the £72.9 million deficit the club suffered in 2021/22. The losses will be significantly reduced for PSR calculations once factors such as depreciation, youth development and the club’s academy are considered.

However, in a video interview on the club’s website, Eales conceded that to be compliant with the regulations – which allow for losses of no more than £105 million over a three-year period – Newcastle will have to consider selling players, including some of their biggest stars.

Asked if any of Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Bruno Guimarães could be sold this summer, Eales said: “On any player, at any time, it depends on circumstances. It’s difficult to say specifically on certain players, but I can say that, if we’re going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players.”

He added: “It is counterintuitive and part of the system of PSR that there is an incentive to trade your players if you want to reinvest, by the nature of the boundaries.”

Newcastle, who were acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in October 2021, have spent more than £400 million on players since the takeover.

Total revenues reach £250.3 million

The club’s accounts for 2022/23 show that total revenues rose to £250.3 million, up from £180 million the previous year, with significant increases across all the main revenue streams.

Matchday income reached £37.9 million (£27.5 million in 2021/22), broadcast revenues climbed to £165.5 million (£124.1 million), and commercial income rose to £43.9 million (£26.5 million).

Operating expenses for the year totalled £230.2 million, up from £206.3 million in 2021/22, with the club’s wage bill amounting to £186.7 million, compared with £170.2 million the previous year. Amortisation costs reached £86.8 million, up from £49.7 million. The club made a profit on player trading of £2.8 million, down from £5.8 million in 2021/22.

In the 2022/23 season, Newcastle finished in fourth place in the Premier League, earning Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years. They also reached the EFL Cup final, their first major cup final in 24 years.

 

A22 CEO Bernd Reichart: Plans for new European competition have support of 40 to 50 clubs

Bernd Reichart, CEO of A22, the sports management company set up to support the European Super League, has claimed that plans for a new European competition have the support of between 40 and 50 clubs and “will revitalise domestic leagues".

In an interview with the Spanish sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, Reichart was speaking in the wake of the European Court of Justice (CJEU)’s verdict on the Super League delivered on 21st December.

On that same day, following the announcement of the CJEU’s decision, A22 unveiled a proposal for a new competition “based on sporting merit” which it said would involve 64 men's and 32 women's teams playing midweek matches in a league system across Europe.

Asked by El Mundo Deportivo how many clubs are interested in the project, Reichart said: “We have been in contact with all those who we had previously visited … to configure and create this proposal. Our format is based on an exchange with the parties involved in football, primarily the 40 or 50 clubs with whom we have been talking.”

The German media executive, who once again declined to name any teams that could become part of the new league, was then asked whether such a number would provide a good base for the competition to be launched at the start of the 2025/26 season.

“Right now we don't venture dates,” he said. “We want to do things right. We share proposals and visions with the fans: the best football in Europe, with more attractive matches than the old and the new Champions League and also for free.”

“Does not invade the national calendar”

Reichart was also quizzed about fears that clubs would reserve their best players for the Super League, snubbing the national leagues. "This is already happening on some days. There are European and national tournaments,” he said.

“The Super League does not invade the national calendar. It pairs and maintains the competitive dynamic of qualifying for the Super League with a good year in the domestic tournament. This strengthens the clubs that return with economic resources and the best talents in their domestic league. They can build better teams and retain or sign talent. And that also fuels and revitalises the national championship.”

 

Los Angeles FC set to complete Grasshoppers takeover and ‘help Bayern Munich comply with UEFA MCO rules’

MLS club Los Angeles FC are reportedly closing in on a deal to buy the Swiss Super League team Grasshopper Club Zurich, German outlet Kicker has reported.

Talks on a potential agreement were first revealed by Bloomberg last October and came after LAFC invested in Austria’s FC Wacker Innsbruck last April.

According to Kicker, if completed the deal to acquire Grasshoppers would help Bayern Munich, who began a joint venture with LAFC last year, comply with UEFA’s regulations over multi-club ownership and participation in European competition.

Unveiled last March, the partnership between Bayern and LAFC, called Red&Gold, is designed to boost player development for both teams, with each club owning 50 per cent of the venture's shares.

The collaboration has since been joined by the Gambinos Stars Africa academy in Gambia, founded by Helmut Hack, the former president of Bundesliga 2 club Fürth, and in December it acquired majority ownership of Uruguayan first division club Racing de Montevideo.

Multi-club strategy

The managing director of Red&Gold, which is registered at Bayern's Säbener Strasse training ground, is the Bundesliga club’s head of youth development Jochen Sauer, and the initiative is a key part of the German giants’ own multi-club strategy.

It is understood that if LAFC acquired Grasshopper Club Zurich, and if either the Swiss team or Innsbruck were to qualify for Europe, Bayern would avoid questions from UEFA over its MCO rules, since LAFC would hold shares in the clubs, rather than Bayern itself.

Eagle Football Holdings, the investment vehicle of Lyon’s American owner John Textor, is exploring selling its 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, according to a report from The Independent.

Internal talks on the prospect are said to have deepened over the last two weeks, although they are still at an early stage and no formal negotiations with outside parties have yet begun.

The prospective sale is believed to be only at a formative stage for now, with no bank as yet mandated to begin the process. However, it is understood the idea has been discussed enough that it has been spread to potential buyers.

Majority control

Early soundings have indicated that most buyers would only consider the move if they could take majority control of Palace, and that would almost certainly mean buying out Steve Parish’s 10 per cent stake, due to his outsized voting rights.

Such a development would have wider implications for the club and the Premier League. Parish has long been the figurehead of Palace but also the leading voice among ‘the other 13’ in the top-flight, standing up to the most powerful clubs over key decisions about the game’s future.

Along with his stake in Palace, Textor owns French club Lyon, Brazilian side Botafogo, Belgian team RWD Molenbeek and US-based football academy FC Florida, with all his football investments grouped under Eagle Football Holdings.

 

Everton hire top UK barrister for appeal over ten-point deduction

Everton have reportedly added Laurence Rabinowitz KC, one of the UK’s leading barristers, to their legal team for the club’s appeal against their ten-point deduction handed out last November after being found to have breached the Premier League's financial rules.

Rabinowitz is regarded as a ‘super silk’ and specialises in commercial litigation. According to The Times, he will lead the Merseyside club’s appeal and work in tandem with James Segan KC, who represented Everton at the original hearing.

The appointment of Rabinowitz is regarded by Everton as a coup given that he is in huge demand and they believe he falls alongside Lord Pannick KC – who has been hired by Manchester City in their fight against 115 Premier League charges – and Jonathan Crow as the best in the UK.

Mitigating factors

The decision to hire Rabinowitz is said to demonstrate Everton’s determination to challenge the punishment, delivered by an independent commission for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, when the case is reconvened in the near future.

The rules allow for losses of £105 million over a three-year period. Everton accepted they had gone above that threshold by £9.7 million, but argued that a number of mitigating factors, including interest on stadium loans, should have been taken into account.

The club lodged an appeal with the chairman of the Premier League’s judicial panel and a new commission will now hear the case. The appeal does not allow new evidence to be presented but will instead focus on the regulatory process followed by the three-man panel who decided upon the ten-point deduction and what was presented in the commission’s conclusion.

 

Bordeaux handed wage bill and transfer spending limits by DNCG

Bordeaux have received fresh sanctions from the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog, which has imposed restrictions on the Ligue 2 club’s wage bill and transfer business amid their continuing financial difficulties.

In a statement, the LFP said that following the DNCG’s latest review of club finances for the 2023/24 season, the body has decided to impose a “supervision of the payroll and transfer allowances.” Bordeaux attended a DNCG hearing last month.

The Bordeaux-based newspaper Sud Ouest reported that the club was expecting the DNCG to take action, and was hoping to avoid further punishment such as relegation or a transfer ban. According to the newspaper, the club’s projected loss for the year is €30 million, with a shortfall in income of between €5 million and €10 million.

Bordeaux released a statement following confirmation of the sanction, which read: “As the club has been committed for the last three years to a responsible management approach aimed at gradually reducing its wage bill and generating more income from player sales than it invests in the transfer market, this decision to limit the wage bill and transfer fees will have no impact on the club’s operational management.”

The six-time top-flight champions, who are currently 13th in Ligue 2, are now expected to proceed with further player sales this month. According to radio station France Bleu, all but a handful of players in the squad are on the market.

Talks continue with potential investors

Meanwhile, L’Équipe has reported that Bordeaux, who are owned by Luxemburgish-Spanish businessman Gérard Lopez, were hoping to strike a deal with a minority investor in time for yesterday’s deadline after being given a month from the initial 14th December DNCG hearing to deliver further guarantees.

No third-party investment has materialised as of yet, despite indications that talks were underway with investment funds – two of them American and one European. Lopez, who has been at the helm since 2021, is said to remain in talks with potential partners.

 

Motherwell CEO Derek Weir: Club need external investment but are not in financial trouble

Derek Weir, the outgoing CEO of Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, has reiterated that outside investment is needed, but has denied the club is in a precarious financial position.

In a lengthy interview on Motherwell’s YouTube channel, Weir said he and chairman Jim McMahon believe that a new investor alongside the Well Society, which is in control of 70 per cent of the fan-owned club, could be essential to provide advice and extra funding.

Weir – who stepped up to the role of CEO on a temporary basis early last year and is expected to relinquish his position at the end of March – said: “We have cash in the bank. Other than the well-trailed long-term government post-Covid loan, that’s the only debt the club has.

“We will have cash in the bank at the end of this season. That, combined with the cash that the Well Society has, will see us forward for I suspect at least another season, probably beyond that.”

“Not in financial difficulty”

Weir added: “We have some other income there, so the club is absolutely not in financial difficulty, that would be the wrong impression. But if you look at the cash balance that we had a few years ago on the back of transfers and loans, a significant part of that has been utilised. We are getting through the cash that we’ve got.

“Somebody sitting alongside the Well Society, working with them and providing an extra security, would be a really good thing for this club.”

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is reported to be considering a radical overhaul of the professional game in the country that would involve a major reduction in the number of teams across its top three divisions.

According to SportItalia, FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has proposed a “substantial reform” of Italian football that would impact Serie A as well as the lower leagues.

It is believed the federation is looking to reduce the number of teams in both Serie A and Serie B from 20 to 18, while the number of clubs in Serie C – currently made up of 60 teams, divided geographically into three different groups – would also be reduced to 18 in total.

Idea backed by Inter Milan and Lazio

Initial consultations with clubs on the proposed reforms have sparked vastly different reactions. The idea is said to have been welcomed by some of Italy’s biggest teams, with Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta and Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito among those reported to have backed the proposal.

However, it is understood the plans are facing clear opposition from small and medium-sized clubs over fears they would be at risk of not playing in the professional divisions.

 

 

Sunak insists independent regulator will be able to force Premier League to ‘fairly’ redistribute revenue

Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, has restated his commitment to bringing in an independent regulator for English football as frustration builds over the lack of progress on a financial settlement between the Premier League and EFL.

As reported by The Athletic, Sunak was at a ‘PM Connect’ question-and-answer session at EFL League Two club Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium on Monday.

The club’s owner Andy Holt asked Sunak if he still supported the introduction of a regulator and, if he does, whether it will have the power to break the “impasse” that exists between the Premier League and the EFL on finding a new, more equitable financial distribution between the leagues.

Sunak said: “It’s important that the incredible financial success that we enjoy at the top end of football is shared throughout the football pyramid so clubs like (Accrington Stanley) can benefit from that and we can nurture the sport for generations to come.

“That’s why the regulator will have the powers, if needed, to impose financial redistribution settlements.”

The prime minister added: “Now, my hope is that the Premier League and the EFL can come to some appropriate arrangement themselves that would be preferable.

“But, ultimately, if that’s not possible, the regulator will be able to step in and do that to ensure we have a fair distribution of resources across the football pyramid, of course promoting the Premier League but supporting football in communities like this up and down the country.”

Football governance bill

A ‘football governance bill’ covering the independent regulator was included in the King’s Speech last November. The first reading of that bill is expected in the coming weeks and, as it has cross-party support, its passage is a formality.

However, many Premier League clubs are still opposed to the regulator’s introduction.

 

 

Nottingham Forest and Everton set to learn fate over potential financial breaches next week

Nottingham Forest and Everton will find out next Monday whether they will face new Premier League charges for breaching financial regulations, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

Forest are under scrutiny over their transfer spending, while for Everton, who are already fighting to overturn a separate 10-point deduction, stadium costs have been cited as the main cause of any potential overspend.

Both clubs are said to have been scrambling to avoid the prospect of penalties, and last week it was reported that Forest have appointed leading sports lawyer Nick De Marco to argue their case.

The two clubs are thought to be confident that they will not face sanctions, but it is understood that several Premier League teams are on high alert as potential charges are announced.

Fast-track rules

New fast-track rules agreed over the summer mean any Premier League club which breaks straightforward profit and sustainability rules – which permit losses of up to £105 million over a three-year period – will have the sanction imposed before the end of the current campaign.

For Everton, Forest and other clubs, that meant accounts for the 2022/23 financial year had to be submitted before 31st December, instead of March.

 

Aston Villa set for lucrative kit deal with Adidas

Aston Villa have secured a significant kit deal with Adidas to replace Castore as their kit manufacturer starting next season.

The agreement, which encompasses the men's and women's teams as well as the academy, is reported to be a long-term contract worth multiple millions of pounds.

According to the Telegraph, the deal was facilitated by Villa's billionaire Egyptian owner Nassef Sawiris, who holds approximately seven percent of Adidas and was instrumental in hiring manager Unai Emery.

Sawiris' ambition for the club to align with top-tier manufacturers mirrors his vision for Villa's future success. Under Emery's leadership since October 2022, Villa has seen a remarkable upturn in form, currently sitting second in the Premier League.

Player complaints about the quality of Castore's "wet-look" shirts, which appeared saturated and clingy when wet, did not aid Castore's cause at Villa.

Despite efforts by Castore to address these issues with new shirts designed to avoid saturation problems, Villa opted to switch manufacturers. The Premier League will review the deal as part of its related-party transaction approval process, but no complications are expected.

First time

Adidas currently supplies kits for four other Premier League clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham. Aston Villa has previously partnered with numerous kit manufacturers but will be teaming up with Adidas for the first time in their history.

The prospective new Everton owner, 777 Partners, has provided the club with a fresh loan of $50 million (£40 million), according to The Athletic.

The latest sum takes the American investment firm’s total cash injection in the Merseyside club so far to more than $180 million (£142 million) after providing a loan worth tens of millions in September.

It is understood the latest boost will not be available for player transfers, but instead will be used for ongoing stadium costs and working capital.

The club’s new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium is due to open at the start of the 2025/26 season, with current majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri estimating the costs will run to £760 million ($926 million).

Still awaiting Premier League approval

777 Partners is still awaiting Premier League approval for its proposed takeover, which was cleared by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) last month. Moshiri signed an agreement with the Miami-based group in September to acquire his 94.1 per cent shares in Everton in full.

 

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke to step down in 2025

Hans-Joachim Watzke is to step down from his role as Borussia Dortmund CEO next autumn after deciding not to extend his contract when it runs out at the end of 2025.

In a joint announcement from the club and Watzke, the 64-year-old said: “I will no longer renew my contract. I will be stepping down from management in the fall of next year.”

He added: “My 20th anniversary is next year. I had the feeling it was the right time. I wanted to be in charge of my own future. Very grateful to BVB to have had that privilege and responsibility.

“I will be released from the responsibility for sporting matters in June at the latest. I want to focus on the transition and strategy. The final decision came over Christmas. Have been thinking about it for a long time, thought about leaving in 2022 but had to stay during Covid.”

DFB vice-president

Watzke became Dortmund’s club treasurer in 2001 and went on to take up the role of CEO in 2005. Additionally, since December 2021, he has been vice-president at the German Football Association (DFB).

Watzke is also chairman of the supervisory board of the German Football League (DFL) and has been a member of the UEFA Executive Committee since April 2023.

 

Manchester United identify sporting director targets as INEOS leads audit of club performance

Manchester United have reportedly identified at least four targets as potential directors of football following the agreement with INEOS owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to acquire a 25 per cent stake in the club.

The British billionaire’s company is to take charge of football operations under the deal, and according to The Independent, the INEOS director of sport Sir Dave Brailsford will examine the scale of the operation surrounding the performance of the club in an eight-week audit.

Once the process is complete, it is understood that Brailsford will decide whether the football structure will be controlled by one primary director of football or whether the role will be split into two: one director of football and one sporting director.

The audit, mandated by INEOS as they also go through the Premier League Owners and Directors Test, is said to be primarily an attempt to understand "the performance challenge".

Primary targets

However, some primary targets are already believed to have been sounded out for roles at the club. Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell is seen as a contender, while Brailsford's own main choice is said to be former Liverpool official Julian Ward.

Ward's former Liverpool colleague Michael Edwards has long been an option but, as with Newcastle United's Dan Ashworth, it is understood he would be reluctant to move to Old Trafford unless the financial package and terms were particularly tempting. Expected CEO Jean-Claude Blanc will have the primary say.

The outcome of the audit will also detail other key appointments, but there will be no major decisions taken until its conclusion. This is likely to mean a quiet January transfer window and ensure Erik ten Hag is safe as manager until the end of the season.

Lorenzo Casini, the president of Serie A, has said the European Court of Justice (CJEU)’s verdict over the European Super League delivered last month provides an opportunity for domestic leagues in Europe to protect clubs across the pyramid more effectively.

In a wide-ranging interview with Corriere della Sera, Casini said: "Super League? The Court did not criticise UEFA's monopoly per se, but the possible abuses of a dominant position. It does not condemn the pyramid system of football, but points to corrective measures. The League defends the centrality of the national championships.”

He added: “This can be an opportunity for everyone, including UEFA and FIFA, to improve the functioning of sports institutions. And it can be an opportunity to give the leagues a greater weight to protect all clubs."

Call for commitment to stadium revamps

Casini also commented once again about the state of football stadia in Italy, and said he hoped there would be substantial progress in the year ahead on improving the venues used across the Italian game.

"The hope for 2024? May it be the year in which everyone, starting with the government, is committed to improving the situation of the stadiums. It's unbelievable that Italy is so far behind in terms of sports facilities, if you think that the first amphitheatres were born in ancient Rome.”

 

MPs summon Premier League chiefs to explain delay over EFL financial settlement

Premier League chiefs are set to appear before MPs later this month to explain the delay in agreeing a financial settlement with the English Football League (EFL), according to a report from The Times.

The newspaper understands that the culture, media and sport select committee is to hold a session in mid-January to ask the Premier League and the EFL about the lack of progress. The Premier League CEO Richard Masters or its chairwoman Alison Brittain, as well as the EFL’s chairman Rick Parry, are expected to appear.

The move is said to reflect growing pressure from the UK government for a funding deal to be concluded, with a number of EFL clubs in financial difficulties. The EFL has argued that a financial reset is needed to close the increasing funding gap with the Premier League.

So far, the 20 Premier League clubs have delayed a vote on a proposal put forward by league officials for a ‘New Deal’ for football worth an extra £915 million over six years to the 72 EFL clubs. The top-flight clubs want to know exactly how much each will have to contribute to the settlement before agreeing to it.

“We risk more clubs collapsing”

Dame Caroline Dinenage, who chairs the select committee, said back in June that there was an urgent need for the Premier League and EFL to reach an agreement.

She said then: “Unless the football authorities get their act together soon on agreeing a fairer share of revenue, we risk more clubs collapsing, with the devastating impact that can have on local communities.”

 

Manchester City sued by Superdry over Asahi Super ‘Dry’ training kit sponsorship

Manchester City are facing legal action from fashion brand Superdry, which has alleged the club of trademark infringement on its training gear, The Daily Telegraph has reported.

City announced in July that beer manufacturer Asahi Super ‘Dry’ would feature on both their men’s and women’s training kit during the 2023/24 season.

However, in a High Court claim, the sports casual clothing label claims “the differences between Super ‘Dry’ and Superdry are so insignificant that they may go unnoticed by the average consumer.”

The claim includes several pictures of City players in training kit and details how the club announced that ‘Super ‘Dry’ Asahi 0.0%’ would be carried on sportswear, including “long-sleeved zip tops and short-sleeved shirts.”

“Injunction to restrain”

In papers lodged in London on 15th December, Superdry requested an “injunction to restrain” City from using its name. The fashion brand is also pursuing costs, although it is “presently unable to quantify the exact financial value of this claim.”

Philip Roberts KC, acting for Fox Williams LLP on behalf of Superdry, also warned of a demand for the “destruction or modification upon oath of all goods and other items... [which] would constitute a breach of the injunctions.”

Sporting CP are considering selling a minority stake in the club as they look to tap into investor demand for Europe’s historic football teams, according to a report from Bloomberg.

A source told the newswire that the Portuguese giants have held exploratory talks with potential investors from around the world. The source added that discussions are in the early stages and there’s no certainty they’ll result in a deal.

A path to new investment at Sporting has been made easier by a debt restructuring completed in December that gave the club’s management greater control over such decisions.

Top of Primeira Liga

Sporting CP are one of Portugal’s big three teams, alongside FC Porto and Benfica, and are currently top of the Primeira Liga table.

Founded in 1906, the club is known for its model of discovering and developing young and talented players before selling them on for large fees. Its most famous export is Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

UEFA imposes €1.5 million January transfer limit for AS Roma

UEFA have reportedly imposed a spending limit of €1.5 million on AS Roma for the January transfer window as part of its ongoing settlement agreement with the club.

The four-year agreement, made back in September 2022, came after Roma failed to meet their financial fair play requirements with European football’s governing body. The club was handed a €35 million fine but only paid €5 million due to the terms of the agreement.

According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Roma have now been notified by UEFA that they can only operate within the settlement agreement that they previously reached in the current window, leaving them with the limited budget of €1.5 million.

The restriction means Roma can only sign players on loan, either at no cost or involving very low fees. However, an exception could come if outgoing transfers are completed, which may bolster their spending allowance.

Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto to leave club

Meanwhile, Roma have confirmed that sporting director Tiago Pinto is to leave the club after the January transfer window has been completed. In a statement, the club said the two parties had agreed “to mutually part company, effective from Saturday, February 3rd.”

The Portuguese former left-back, who took up his role at Roma at the beginning of 2021 and was previously director of football at Benfica, said: “After three years, I believe that my cycle in Rome has come to an end.”

During Pinto’s time at the club, Roma have won the Europa Conference League in 2021/22 and reached the final of the Europa League in 2022/23.

 

NWSL club Portland Thorns sold for league-record $63 million to Bhathal family

NWSL side Portland Thorns have confirmed that the Bhathal family, investors in the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, have completed their takeover of the club in what is reported to be a league-record $63 million deal.

In a statement, the Thorns, who are one of the NWSL’s eight inaugural teamsand have won a league-high three championships, said that RAJ Sports, led by Lisa Bhathal Merage and Alex Bhathal, have “formally assumed controlling ownership” of the club.

Merage will serve as controlling owner and NWSL governor, while Bhathal will serve as NWSL alternate governor. The statement added that a key component of the new ownership is “RAJ Sports’ commitment to advancing plans for a new first-class, purpose-built, women’s soccer-specific training facility.”

The new owners have agreed to pay $63 million to acquire the club, according to Sportico. That figure eclipses the $53 million expansion fees committed recently by new ownership groups in the Bay Area and Boston. Existing teams in both Chicago and Washington D.C. sold in the past few years for around $35 million.

Investigation into abuse

The Thorns have been up for sale for more than a year following a lengthy investigation into abuse within women’s football in the US, which led the NWSL to accuse Thorns leadership of failing to take appropriate action in light of allegations of player abuse and sexual misconduct against a former head coach.

The Bhathals briefly owned the Orlando Thunder of the World League of American Football in the early 1990s and were part of the group that bought the Sacramento Kings and their arena in 2013 for $534 million. The franchise is now said to be worth $3.46 billion.

Fresh concerns have been raised about the financial health of Standard Liege, the Belgian club owned by the American investment firm 777 Partners, after it posted a loss of €20.3 million for the 2022/23 financial year.

The deficit follows a similar result in 2021/22, when the loss amounted to €20.2 million. The latest accounts, published by Belgium’s national bank, cover the first full financial year under the ownership of 777 Partners, who acquired 100 per cent of the club in March 2022.

A range of factors have been attributed to the losses in 2022/23, including a lack of income from the transfer market, a failure to qualify for the Jupiler Pro League Play-offs I, and the absence of European competition.

As for costs, Standard’s wage bill reached almost €31 million, up from €29 million in 2021/22.

The accounts also showed that debts rose from €23 million to €24 million across the year. 777 believes that part of this debt will not be attributed to it as it considers the club’s former president Bruno Venanzi responsible, although this remains to be determined.

€15 million loss targeted for 2023/24

For the 2023/24 financial year, 777 has targeted a reduction of Standard’s losses to €15 million. However, the accounts state that "the budget for the 2023-24 season has been set considering a return to playoffs 1 as a minimum.”

That aim appears ambitious at present, with the club currently sitting in ninth place in the Belgian top-flight with 20 points from 23 matches. In the 2021/22 season, they finished sixth.

The club also cannot sign new players in January after the Belgian FA imposed a transfer ban for the second time this season. The latest embargo is for delays in transfer payments and social security contributions.

Standard’s punishment has come after another club owned by 777, the Brazilian side Vaso de Gamo, was given a transfer ban, also for the late payment of transfer fees, last September.

 

Paris Saint-Germain withdraw from race to buy Stade de France

Paris Saint-Germain have decided not to pursue a move to the Stade de France after withdrawing from the race to buy the French national stadium, according to a report from Le Parisien.

The current lease to the venue, held by Vinci-Bouygues, runs out in July 2025 and the French government had requested declarations of interest in either renting the stadium or buying it altogether.

However, yesterday’s deadline for candidates interested in taking over the stadium to officially put themselves forward passed without PSG putting their name in the hat.

The club and its president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi had previously indicated their intention to apply for the purchase of the venue, which is used for the French national football team’s home matches.

It is understood PSG have now decided not to pursue the potential move due to a series of complexities, and are instead focussing on two other options: buying their current home, the Parc des Princes, or building a new stadium.

Key role played by Arctos

It is believed that the American investment group Arctos Partners, which last month acquired a minority stake in PSG – reported to be 12.5 per cent – has played a significant role in the decision to focus on other projects.

PSG have previously put forward plans to renovate and expand Parc des Princes on the condition that it becomes the stadium’s owner. However, the project has failed to progress so far amid poor relations with the city of Paris.

 

FIFA’s future in Paris in doubt as France rules against tax breaks

Doubts have emerged over whether FIFA will continue to hold an office in Paris after the French Constitutional Council ruled against giving a tax-free status to football’s global governing body in the country.

As reported by the French TV channel RMC Sport, the Constitutional Council has censured the provisions of the 2024 budget intended to attract international sports federations such as FIFA to France, judging that they disregarded "the principle of equality" before taxation.

The amendment rejected by the Council provided for the exemption of international sports federations from corporate tax and several other contributions for "their missions of governance of sport or promotion of the practice of sport", and also an exemption from income tax for employees of international sports federations domiciled in France for five years.

“Non-commercial” activities

FIFA was originally founded in Paris in 1904 before the headquarters moved to Zurich in 1932.

In 2018, French president Emmanuel Macron and FIFA president Gianni Infantino negotiated a return of parts of the world federation’s operation back to the French capital.

In February 2022 it emerged that the operations in Paris would not be subject to corporate taxes and social security contributions, as the activities were deemed “non-commercial and non-profit-making”.

However, the new ruling means that FIFA staff must pay social security contributions in France, significantly raising the costs of its operations in Paris.

FIFA has suspended the worldwide introduction of its new football agent regulations following a series of legal challenges against the rules.

The implementation will be delayed until the European Court of Justice (CJEU) delivers a final decision in relation to an injunction issued in Germany last May against the introduction of a selection of the regulations.

Injunctions have also been granted in Spain and the UK over the application of the rules, while French law in effect protects agents’ fees. It means that four of Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues have restrictions in place. There are also ongoing actions in Italy.

As reported by The Financial Times, in a letter sent to member federations on Saturday, FIFA said it had suspended the new rules globally to comply with the German ruling and “protect competitive balance at a worldwide level”, but that it had already launched an appeal.

Mandatory licensing system

FIFA's Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) include a mandatory licensing system, prohibition of multiple representation to avoid conflicts of interest and – most controversially the introduction of a cap on agent fees.

FFAR was introduced last January on a transitional basis, with an obligation by stakeholders to only use licensed agents coming into force on 1st October, 2023.

However, agents had warned that pushing ahead with the new rules would result in a chaotic January transfer window during which some – but not all – countries would have imposed the cap on fees.

FIFA said it hoped its appeal in Germany would be heard early in 2024. Lawyers and agents expect the case to end up in front of the CJEU some time in 2025.

 

Nottingham Forest appoint top sports lawyer to fight Premier League rules breach risk

Nottingham Forest have appointed leading sports lawyer Nick De Marco as they attempt to avoid Premier League charges for breaching financial regulations, according to a report from The Daily Telegraph.

The club is said to be sailing close to the wind in complying with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, although sources insist they are confident of avoiding sanctions.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested more than £250 million on transfer fees following their return to the Premier League last season, with the club signing 43 players since winning the Championship play-off final in May 2022.

Forest will discover later this month if they are to become the third top-flight club charged with breaking the Premier League’s rules, following Everton’s 10-point deduction last year and Manchester City’s alleged breach.

It is understood that De Marco, a KC with Blackstone Chambers, has been appointed to argue Forest’s case. He has established an impressive record dealing with football, especially around financial fair play.

Premier League clubs are permitted to make losses of £105 million over a three-year period. Forest reported a loss of £45.6 million for 2021/22, following a deficit of £34.4 million in 2020/21, which was reduced to a loss before tax of £15.5 million.

Brennan Johnson sale

Forest submitted their accounts for 2022/23 last week and the crux of their argument is understood to centre around the sale of Welsh forward Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur last summer.

Johnson was sold for £47.5 million on the 1st September deadline day in a record sale for the club, and Forest will insist that they would have received a far lower fee if they had accepted an offer earlier in the summer. Brentford failed with two bids of £30 million and £35 million in June and July respectively.

 

Udinese losses ease to €3.6 million for 2022/23

Udinese have reported a loss of €3.6 million for the year ending 30th June, 2023 after suffering a far higher deficit of €69 million the previous year.

The Serie A club's turnover in 2022/23 reached €126.8 million, up from €78 million in 2021/22, with the significant increase driven largely by far higher income from player trading.

In 2022/23, Udinese earned €56.4 million from player sales, of which €50 million came from capital gains, while in 2021/22 the club generated €17.4 million from the transfer market, of which €16.9 million was from capital gains.

The key player sales in 2022/23 were those of Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina to Atletico Madrid, French right-back Brandon Soppy to Atalanta, Italian left-back Destiny Udogie to Tottenham Hotspur, and French midfielder Jean-Victor Makengo to Lorient.

Among the club’s other main revenue streams, broadcast income reached €43.3 million (€36.1 million in 2021/22), matchday revenues rose to €8 million (€5.1 million) and commercial income climbed to €10.1 million (€8.8 million).

Udinese finished in 12th place in Serie A in 2022/23 – the same position achieved in 2021/22.

Costs fall to €120.1 million

Total expenses for 2022/23 fell to €120.1 million, down from €144.4 million the previous year. Part of the decrease was linked to the higher amortisation costs in the 2021/22 accounts following the revaluation of the club in 2020.

Expenses related to depreciation, amortisation and write-downs were €48.3 million in 2022/23, compared with €62.8 million in 2021/22. Personnel costs saw a smaller decrease, falling from €41.6 million to €40.2 million, with the total wage bill declining from €36.7 million to €34 million.

 

LaLiga media rights distribution rises 3.7 per cent to €1.53 billion

LaLiga has announced that it distributed €1.53 billion in media rights revenues among its clubs in 2022/23, up 3.7 per cent compared with the €1.59 billion handed out in 2021/22.

The figure for last season marks a 15.7 per cent increase since the 2016/17 campaign. Overall, 90 per cent of the distribution was handed out to clubs in the top-tier LaLiga Santander.

Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid earned more than €160 million each, while Atlético Madrid received €119 million. Those three were followed by Sevilla, who earned €82.3 million and Real Betis with €70 million.

The lowest amount among the 20 top-flight clubs was earned by RCD Mallorca, Elche CF and UD Almería, who all received less than €45 million.

Granada CF top LaLiga SmartBank earnings

In the second-tier LaLiga SmartBank, the club that received the most money from media rights after deducting relegation aid was Granada CF, with €9.6 million. They were followed by Levante UD with €9.1 million and Deportivo Alavés with €9 million.

LaLiga said the total amounted distributed for 2022/23 “is a good figure considering that the UK has twice as many paid football subscribers as Spain, 14 million compared to 6.4 million in our country".

 

Hellas Verona post €11.7 million loss for 2022/23

Hellas Verona have reported a loss of €11.7 million for the year ending 30th June, 2023 after finishing the previous year with a deficit of €5.1 million.

As stated in the club’s accounts for 2022/23, which have been seen by Calcio e Finanza, turnover amounted to €98.4 million, up from €84.5 million in 2021/22, with player trading the key factor behind the increased revenues.

In 2022/23, income from player sales reached €44 million, of which €30.9 million came from capital gains, while in 2021/22, revenues derived from the transfer market totalled €24.9 million, with €23.3 million from capital gains.

The outgoing transfers driving the increase in 2022/23 included those of the Serbian defensive midfielder Ivan Ilić to Torino for €15.7 million (capital gain of €8 million), Italian centre-back Nicolò Casale to Lazio for €7 million (€6.6 million), and Italian forward Gianluca Caprari to Monza for €8 million (€5.4 million).

Among Hellas Verona’s other key revenue streams, broadcast income fell to €34.1 million (€37.2 million in 2021/22), matchday revenues rose to €5.9 million (€5.3 million), and commercial income reached €10.9 million (€10.1 million).

Verona narrowly avoided relegation from Serie A in 2022/23 after finishing in 17th place before going on to defeat Spezia in the relegation playoff. In 2021/22, Verona finished in 9th place.

Costs rise to €106.9 million

Total costs for 2022/23 saw a significant increase, rising to €106.9 million, up from €88.6 million in 2021/22. The club’s wage bill reached €54.3 million, compared with €38.8 million the previous year, while depreciation and amortisation costs amounted to €25.3 million, up from €21.1 million.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has asked Manchester United fans for “time and patience” as he bids to get the club back to the “very top” of world football following the confirmation of his agreement to acquire a 25 per cent stake in the club.

Under the deal, announced by United in a statement on Christmas Eve, the British billionaire will acquire 25 per cent of the Class B shares owned by the Glazers and tender an offer for up to 25 per cent of the Class A shares at US$33 each in a deal which will not add to the club’s existing debt.

In addition, the INEOS owner has agreed to inject US$200 million (£158 million) to upgrade Old Trafford, with a further US$100 million (£79 million) due by the end of 2024, taking his total investment to around £1.25 billion.

Ratcliffe will also assume delegated responsibility for football operations under the agreement, which United said is “subject to customary regulatory approvals”. It is expected to take between four and six weeks for the deal to be ratified by the Premier League.

Fewer than 48 hours after the agreement was confirmed by United, Ratcliffe wrote an open letter to the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) outlining his hopes and wishes at Old Trafford and the “critical” role fans have to play.

“I believe we can bring sporting success on the pitch to complement the undoubted commercial success that the club has enjoyed,” he wrote. “It will require time and patience alongside rigour and the highest level of professional management.”

In comments included in United’s announcement of the deal, Ratcliffe said: "We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the Club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford."

United urged to build new stadium

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and the Glazers have been urged to demolish Old Trafford and build a “really innovative and exciting” new stadium by the architects in charge of United’s redevelopment project. A team led by Populous, the global architectural design firm behind the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and management consultants Legends International were appointed in April 2022 to create a masterplan.

Chris Lee, managing director – EMEA / London at Populous, told The Daily Telegraph that he believes United should give serious consideration to knocking down Old Trafford and building a world-leading stadium on surrounding land.

“I feel the new build may well turn out to be the most cost effective solution,” he said, adding that such a move would allow United to keep playing at their 113-year-old home while work commenced and not suffer any hit to matchday income.

Glazers pocket than £1.3 billion

The Daily Telegraph also reported that The Glazer family will have pocketed more than £1.3 billion from share sales and dividend payments at United once Ratcliffe’s deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club is formally completed.

United’s American owners are set for a cash windfall of around £715 million from the sale of B shares to Ratcliffe provided the deal gets the regulatory go-ahead from the Premier League and the club’s Class A shareholders in the coming weeks.

The Glazers have already earned around £465 million through past sales of A shares and around £150 million in dividend payments.

 

Italy eliminates tax advantages for signing foreign footballers

Serie A clubs have suffered a major financial blow after the Italian government confirmed the removal of sports men and women from the tax reliefs provided by the Growth Decree, a law that applies to workers who move residence to Italy.

The regulation allows for the taxation on the wages of workers who relocate to Italy to be lower than on the wages of domestic workers, and has allowed Italian clubs to reduce the tax on salaries for certain players by around 50 per cent.

As reported by Italian media, the restrictions to the law in relation to football and other sports came into effect from 1st January after the government opted against extending the tax reliefs until 29th February.

However, the abolition will not be retroactive, and players who have signed a contract that allows them to take advantage of the tax benefits will be able to continue to do so for a maximum of five years.

Any players who have renewed their contract with a club will also continue to enjoy the benefits if their new deal was signed by 31st December. For all those signed after that date and for new contracts, the reliefs will no longer be applicable.

Serie A attacks government

Serie A has heavily criticised the government over the changes, and in a statement said the decision to remove the tax reliefs “will produce less competitiveness of the teams, with a consequent reduction in revenues, fewer resources to be allocated to academies, and therefore also less revenue for the [Italian] treasury.”

Lazio president Claudio Lotito also commented on the move, speaking of a "great foolishness that has been done. They will see what a hell of a mistake has been made.”

He added: “If you have a foreigner who pays taxes in Italy it will be better than one who does not come and does not pay them, right? I want to see who's coming now, great idea.”

 

FC Barcelona to sue investment fund Libero over non-payment of €40 million for Barça Vision stake

FC Barcelona are set to take legal action against the German investment fund Libero after it failed to pay the club €40 million for the purchase of a stake in their Barça Vision digital unit, Spanish media have reported.

Libero announced last August that it would be purchasing a 9.8 per cent share of Bridgeburg Invest, the holding company which controls Barça Vision.

However, according to the EFE website, Barcelona have not been paid by Libero and have decided to sue the investment firm for the failed payment after extending the deadline to pay them until 31st December, 2023.

The Catalan club are also said to be looking for another investor to purchase the 9.8 per cent stake in Barça Vision.

Deal to repurchase 29 per cent share

Barcelona initially sold 49 per cent of Barça Vision to Orpheus Media and Socios.com for €200 million last year.

Libero and an investment firm, NIPA, had agreed a deal to repurchase a 29 per cent share from Orpheus Media and Socios.com, leaving them with 9.75 per cent each, while Barcelona would retain their 51 per cent majority stake.

 

Premier League financial distribution deal with EFL on hold amid divisions between top-flight clubs

The Premier League has reportedly paused discussions with the English Football League (EFL) over the proposed new financial distribution deal due to ongoing divisions between top-tier clubs.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the long-awaited £130 million-a-year package has been put on hold after recent meetings between the 20 Premier League clubs repeatedly failed to reach consensus over a final agreement which would have seen the first cheques handed over within weeks.

Clubs had voted remotely on various proposals in the week or so before Christmas, but with no sign of imminent breakthrough, it is understood the Premier League CEO Richard Masters told clubs privately he will “pause further discussions with the EFL for the time being”.

It is believed one major point of contention has been the so-called ‘Big Six’ disagreeing with rivals over whether the top clubs will be contributing enough to the bill.

Not put to a formal vote

Top-flight clubs were asked to indicate at a Premier League shareholder meeting last month whether they would support an immediate payment within a wider package that could be worth less than originally envisaged. Sources told the newspaper that the idea was not put to a formal vote of clubs.

 

Watford in talks with US group over sale of initial minority stake

Watford are in discussions with an American investment group over the sale of an initial minority stake in the club, according to a report from The Athletic.

Talks are said to be at an early stage but sources close to the deal said they are based on a £150 million to £200 million valuation of the EFL Championship side.

According to a financial roadmap, the US group’s interest includes the potential to mount a full takeover at a later stage.

The identity of the three people leading the bid, or how the investment would be funded or structured, are not fully known at this stage, but individuals involved with the group are said to have attended Watford matches this season. They are understood to be part of an existing multi-club model looking to develop its portfolio and invest in infrastructure.

Yet to enter exclusivity period

While there appears to be goodwill on both sides to finalise a deal, it is believed the potential investors are yet to enter an exclusivity period with Hornets Investment Limited, Watford’s holding company controlled by owner Gino Pozzo. The Italian businessman has run the club, following an initial family takeover, since 2012.

 

West Ham post £18.3 million loss for 2022/23

West Ham United have reported a loss of £18.3 million for the year ending 31st May, 2023 after earning a profit of £12.3 million the previous year.

Turnover was £236.7 million, down from £252.7 million in 2021/22. The club said this was mainly due to their 14th placed finish in the Premier league, after finishing seventh the previous season, as well as lower European income despite winning the Europa Conference League, after reaching the Europa League semi-finals the previous campaign.

Broadcast revenue fell to £147.6 million, compared with £163.6 million in 2021/22, while matchday income was £41 million, a drop of £0.3 million, and commercial income was £35.1 million, an increase of £0.4 million due to slightly improved partnership income. Retail income, at £13 million, was the same as the previous year.

Record transfer spend

West Ham said that as well as the decline in turnover, the loss was caused by a record transfer spend of £183.9 million in the summer of 2022, when the club signed Lucas Paquetá, Emerson Palmieri, Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola.

The Hammers also paid off the MSD Holdings Limited loan during the 2022/23 financial year, replacing it with what it said is “a more favourable Barclays overdraft facility.”

 

Everton takeover approved by Financial Conduct Authority

The proposed takeover of Everton has edged a step closer after the bid from American investment firm 777 Partners was cleared by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as reported by The Daily Mail.

The Miami-based group agreed a deal with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri to take majority control of the club back in September, but has struggled to make progress in the three months since.

Approval from the FCA, a regulatory body in charge of maintaining the integrity of financial markets, represents a step forward for the planned takeover, although it will still need to be approved by the Premier League and English FA before it is given the green light.

Due diligence

Last month, it was reported that the Premier League has indicated to 777 Partners that it is still some way from completing its due diligence in relation to its purchase of Everton.

The complexity of 777’s finances and corporate structure, with over 60 companies involved, is understood to be proving challenging for the league to assess.

 

FIFA threatens to exclude Brazil from international competitions over presidential changes

Brazilian football is facing a chaotic start to 2024 after FIFA threatened to exclude the national team and the country's clubs from all its competitions.

The warning came after a court in Rio de Janeiro suspended the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues from office on 7th December.

The court’s decision annulled an assembly of the federation held last year in which Rodrigues was elected to lead the CBF until 2026, and named the president of the Superior Court of Sports Justice Jose Perdiz as interim head.

The situation sparked the intervention of FIFA and CONMEBOL, which in a joint statement reminded the CBF of the principle of non-interference by states, and threatened the suspension of the federation, with the consequent "exclusion of all representatives and all clubs from any international competition".

Joint mission

FIFA and CONMEBOL have announced a joint mission to Brazil starting on 8th January to find a solution to the crisis and have "energetically" warned the CBF against taking steps to elect new leaders before that date.

Perdiz welcomed the statement from FIFA and CONMEBOL but reiterated his intention to call elections within the 30-day deadline, in compliance with the Brazilian court's ruling.

 

UEFA requests CJEU to change “inaccurate” press release on European Super League

UEFA has reportedly asked the European Court of Justice (CJEU) to amend its press statement on its decision in relation to the European Super League delivered just before Christmas.

Senior figures at European football’s governing body have told The Times they believe the statement was enhanced to make it gain more attention among global media.

The release carried the headline that “FIFA and UEFA rules on prior approval of interclub competitions, such as the Super League, are contrary to EU law”, and added that “FIFA and UEFA are abusing a dominant position”.

UEFA believes the court ruling does not validate the Super League and its lawyers have written a letter, which has been seen by The Times, to the CJEU asking for the media release to be changed, claiming it is “inaccurate” and “contradicts the judgment”.

The letter says the press statement did not include the court’s judgment also clarifying that sports organisations can seek exemptions from European competition rules if they can demonstrate it is in the public interest.

“Unofficial document”

The CJEU’s head of communications, Juan Carlos González Álvarez, told The Times it would not respond publicly to UEFA’s letter. He pointed out that the press release contained a footnote which states it is an “unofficial document for media use, not binding on the Court of Justice”.

A22, the company behind the European Super League project, has unveiled a proposal for a new competition following the European Court of Justice (ECJ)’s ruling that banning clubs from joining a breakaway league was unlawful.

During a presentation shown on YouTube, A22 said the competition would involve 64 men's and 32 women's teams playing midweek matches in a league system across Europe.

In a statement, the company said participation would be “based on sporting merit with promotion/relegation and no permanent members.” It added that “the new proposed competition will not interfere with domestic league calendars.”

The format for the men's competition includes 64 teams in three leagues – Star, Gold and Blue. The Star and Gold Leagues would have 16 clubs each while the Blue League would have 32 clubs.

Teams would play home and away in groups of eight, which would mean a minimum of 14 matches a year. There would be annual promotion and relegation between leagues while teams could qualify for the Blue League based on domestic league performance. The women's competition would have two leagues of 16 clubs each.

"This vision is based on extensive consultation with a wide range of football stakeholders across Europe,” A22 said.

“Now that the CJEU has paved the way, A22 will discuss its proposal with all relevant stakeholders in the coming weeks with the aim of advancing the initiative as quickly as possible.”

Streaming platform

A22 also said that matches would be available to watch for free through the creation of “the leading direct-to-fan sports streaming platform in the world called Unify.”

A22 CEO Bernd Reichart saidclubs would be invited to shape the new competition, although he declined to name any teams that could become part of the new league.

"Our proposal has to be convincing and we invite clubs to shape and to help shape this proposal," he said.

 

ECJ ruling: UEFA and FIFA underline commitment to European pyramid as Barça and Real Madrid welcome decision

Governing bodies, leagues and clubs reacted swiftly yesterday to the ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that UEFA and FIFA contravened EU law by stopping the formation of a European Super League.

A22, the company behind the Super League project, said it “welcomes this decision and believes this is a historic day for football its fans, its players, its clubs and its leagues.”

However, UEFA was quick to defend its position and its own rules. In a statement, the European governing body said: “This ruling does not signify an endorsement or validation of the so-called ‘super league’.

“It rather underscores a pre-existing shortfall within UEFA's pre-authorisation framework, a technical aspect that has already been acknowledged and addressed in June 2022.

“UEFA is confident in the robustness of its new rules, and specifically that they comply with all relevant European laws and regulations.”

In a press conference, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin declared that “football is not for sale" and said he also felt the ECJ decision was based on "old facts".

FIFA also issued a statement, saying it “will now analyse the decision in coordination with UEFA, the other confederations and the member associations before commenting further.”

The global governing body added: “In line with its Statutes, FIFA firmly believes in the specific nature of sport, including the pyramid structure – which is underpinned by sporting merit – and the principles of competitive balance and financial solidarity.”

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid back judgement

In Spain, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid – the only two clubs to have maintained their support of the European Super League project – both welcomed the decision.

Barcelona said in a statement that it “feels the sentence paves the way for a new elite level football competition in Europe by opposing the monopoly over the football world, and wishes to initiate new discussions as to the path that European competitions should take in the future.”

In a video posted on social media, Barça president Joan Laporta added: “The time has come for clubs to have greater control over their destiny. With an improved European competition and more resources from the clubs, the national leagues will become more balanced and competitive.”

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez commented on the ECJ’s judgement in a video published on the club’s website, declaring it a "great day for the history of football".

LaLiga: Ruling “does not endorse European Super League”

However, LaLiga stressed in a statement that the ruling “does not endorse the European Super League.” It added: “The CJEU has been clear in stating that ‘a competition such as that of the Super League project should not necessarily be authorised.’ LaLiga … celebrates these words that coincide with the formal position expressed by 23 national governments of the EU and the EEA.”

The English Premier League also issued a response to the ECJ’s judgement, emphasising that as regards the proposed European Super League it “continues to reject any such concept,” while Manchester United said in a statement they remain "fully committed" to UEFA competitions.

The Union of European Clubs also commented, saying it “welcomes the ECJ’s decision confirming UEFA's crucial regulatory role in safeguarding fair and balanced competition in European football.”

 

Standard Liege and KV Oostende punished by Belgian FA over missed payments

Belgian clubs Standard Liege and KV Oostende have both been punished by the country’s FA for delays in transfer payments and social security contributions.

The two teams are both part of multi-club groups whose operations are attracting growing scrutiny. Standard Liege are owned by 777 Partners, while KV Oostende are under the control of Pacific Media Group (PMG).

Standard Liege have been placed under a transfer ban for the second time this season. The first came after a non-payment of group insurance, which was quickly rectified.

The latest ban, which will be in place for the January transfer window, relates to non-payments for the signings of Norwegian winger Aron Dønnum and Morocco midfielder Ilyes Ziani, as well as missed social security payments.

Standard’s punishment comes after another club owned by 777, the Brazilian side Vaso de Gamo, were given a transfer ban, also for the late payment of transfer fees, back in September.

KV Oostende deducted nine points

KV Oostende have been hit with two separate punishments this week. The first came on Wednesday, with a transfer ban and three-point deduction, followed by a further six-point penalty yesterday.

The club is being punished over a failure to keep up with transfer payments, in this case relating to Colombian forward Juan David Fuentes Garrido, who arrived from FC Barcelona, and Croatian defender Mateo Barac, who has joined the club on loan from Russian side Samara.

In addition, it was ruled that Oostende had not fulfilled its obligations over social security and federal debts, as well as withholding tax for the month of October and the club’s VAT return for September.

The penalties leave the club bottom of the Challenger Pro League table on just seven points. They were relegated from the Jupiler Pro League last season.

In a statement following the announcement of the transfer ban and initial three-point deduction, Oostende said it will appeal against the punishments. Interim CEO Benjamin Ehresmann said: “We will do everything we can to avoid that points deduction. That’s the full focus.”

Earlier this month, it was reported that Oostende will be forced to file for bankruptcy if fresh investment is not found by the end of the year. Concerns have mounted about the financial management of the club by PMG, which acquired the side back in 2020.

 

Slavia Prague confirm takeover by Czech billionaire Pavel Tykač

Slavia Prague have confirmed that the Czech billionaire Pavel Tykač has agreed to take over the club from Chinese investment group CITIC.

In a statement, Slavia Prague said the deal to acquire the club and its stadium in Edenis expected to be completed by the end of February and is subject to approval from regulatory authorities in the Czech Republic and China.

Tykač, owner of the Sev.en nergy and investment groups that have been expanding in recent years, added in a separate announcement that he had signed an agreement with CITIC to buy one of the country's biggest clubs along with its stadium.

Slavia Prague chairman Jaroslav Tvrdík said: "We have undoubtedly experienced the most successful period in modern Slavia history. We became the leader of positive changes in Czech football, and thanks to our activities, we have a strong presence throughout Europe. Additionally, today we are a profitable club at the peak of both sporting and financial performance.

“Pavel Tykač is an experienced Czech entrepreneur, investor, and lifelong Slavia fan with a significant family tradition in the red and white jersey. We all believe that his entry into the club will be a great contribution to Slavia´s further development.”

“Furthering Slavia’s development”

Tykač added: "I am among the loyal Slavia fans, just as my father and grandfather were. Being able to contribute to furthering Slavia’s development is a great honour for me. I hope that one day, my children will continue my work.”