CVC Capital Partners have reduced the valuation of their investment in LFP Media, the commercial subsidiary of the French Professional Football League (LFP).

The private equity firm invested €1.5 billion in 2022 for a 13 per cent stake in LFP Media, valuing the business at just over €11 billion at the time. Of that €1.5 billion, CVC provided €750m in equity and financed the remainder through debt.

According to a report from L’Équipe, CVC now considers the net asset value of its €750 million equity contribution to be significantly lower, at around €200m. The reassessment comes as domestic television revenues have fallen sharply.

Lower rights outlook

When CVC entered French football just over three years ago, LFP Media’s business plan projected domestic rights of around €1 billion per season. Based on the reported impairment, the price a broadcaster might now be willing to pay for Ligue 1 rights is estimated at between €150 million and €250 million.

From next season, revenues will rely solely on subscriptions generated by Ligue 1+, with no further €78.5 million payment from beIN Sports for the ninth match package and no €85 million compensation from DAZN.

Ajax post €16.4 million first-half profit

AFC Ajax reported a net profit of €16.4 million for the first half of the 2025/26 season, driven by outgoing transfers, after recording a €15.9 million loss in the same period a year earlier.

The club generated €43.6 million in transfer results, compared with €5.6 million in the first half of the previous season. Departures included Jorrel Hato to Chelsea, Brian Brobbey to Sunderland, Carlos Forbs to Club Brugge and Lily Yohannes to Lyon.

Revenue increased 18 per cent to €110.6 million, reflecting higher European prize money from participation in the Champions League during the first half of the season. Last year, Ajax competed in the Europa League.

Costs rise

Operating costs rose 10 per cent to just over €110 million. Ajax attributed the increase primarily to higher wage expenses.

The club also incurred financial setbacks during the period, including costs linked to the dismissal of head coach John Heitinga.

Argentine top flight halted as clubs back federation president under investigation

The ninth round of the Argentine top flight has been suspended after clubs backed the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, who is under investigation for alleged tax offences.

The league confirmed that next weekend’s fixtures will not take place, with clubs announcing a strike from 5 to 8 March in solidarity with Tapia.

Argentine tax authorities are examining whether the association unlawfully withheld pension contributions from players and staff and failed to pay taxes amounting to approximately 19 billion pesos (€17 millio) between March 2024 and September 2025.

Tapia has been summoned to court on 5 March alongside the association’s treasurer and three other officials.

Money laundering probe

The association is also under investigation for possible money laundering. In December, authorities carried out searches at the federation’s headquarters and at several leading clubs, including Racing Club, Independiente and San Lorenzo.

The AFA denies the allegations and has described the case as a smear campaign linked to a dispute over the organisation of Argentina’s national team matches.

The UK government has announced it will consult on banning unlicensed gambling companies from sponsoring British sports clubs, saying ministers are “deeply concerned” about risks linked to the unlicensed betting market.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said firms without a UK licence could be barred from signing sponsorship agreements. Clubs are currently permitted to partner with unlicensed operators if their services are not available to UK consumers.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “When placing a bet on the big match, fans deserve to know the sites they’re using are properly regulated, with the right protections in place. It’s not right that unlicensed gambling operators can sponsor some of our biggest football clubs.”

Regulatory pressure increases

All operators serving UK consumers must hold a licence from the Gambling Commission, but unlicensed firms have used sponsorship deals to advertise overseas via global broadcasts. Ministers said a ban could reduce the risk of consumers being drawn to sites outside the Commission’s protections.

The move follows warnings issued in February 2025 to Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, with the regulator raising the prospect of prosecution if clubs failed to ensure unlicensed sponsors were not accessible to UK customers.

Premier League clubs have already agreed a voluntary ban on betting firms as front-of-shirt sponsors from next season, but the restriction does not cover sleeve or training kit branding.
 

Juventus post €2.5 million first-half loss as revenue declines 11 per cent

Juventus have reported a loss of €2.5 million for the first six months of the 2025/26 financial year, compared with a profit of €16.9 million in the same period last season.

Revenue declined 11 per cent from €291.6 million to €260.6 million, largely due to a €25.3 million drop in profit on player sales.

The club still generated an operating profit of €11.1 million, down from €31.4 million a year earlier.

Costs reduced

Total costs fell by almost €11 million to €248.8 million, helping to limit the impact of lower revenue. Wage costs were reduced by €10 million, while amortisation increased by almost €8 million to €74.4 million.

Juventus are due to face Galatasaray tomorrow in the second leg of their Champions League play-off, seeking to overturn a 5–2 first-leg deficit to reach the round of 16.
 

Newcastle United move closer to stadium decision amid wider regeneration push

Newcastle United are moving closer to a decision on whether to redevelop St James’ Park or build a new stadium, as part of plans for a major regeneration of the surrounding area, according to The Telegraph.

After months of feasibility work, the club could reach a conclusion before the end of the year. Newcastle would fund the construction of any new stadium themselves, at a cost expected to exceed £1 billion, but have held discussions with the UK government about securing public investment for the wider regeneration.

The proposed scheme would include retail, leisure and business space, housing and upgrades to transport infrastructure. The club are expected to contribute a substantial share of the funding, with further capital to be raised from investors and lenders.

New training ground

Newcastle said no final decision has been taken on whether to build a new stadium or redevelop their existing ground, and declined to comment on the wider regeneration discussions.

Last month, the Daily Mail reported that Newcastle were close to completing the purchase of a site in Woolsington for a proposed £200 million training ground. The club hope to begin construction later this year, with work expected to take around two years.
 

Infantino raises prospect of FIFA cryptocurrency

FIFA are assessing whether to create their own digital currency, according to president Gianni Infantino.

The proposal was outlined during an appearance at the World Liberty Forum in Florida, an event linked to the Trump family’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial.

Infantino told attendees: "We are also studying the development of a FIFA token and a FIFA coin - a real potential global currency serving six billion football fans worldwide.”

Infantino had previously floated the concept at the White House Crypto Summit last March, although he did not set out a timeline or formal structure for the project.

AI focus and Gaza funding

In a subsequent social media post, Infantino said FIFA are expanding the use of artificial intelligence ahead of the 2026 World Cup, outlining plans to enhance broadcast distribution, generate additional match data and increase fan engagement across the tournament.

Infantino later travelled to Washington, where he said FIFA intend to commit $70 million to rebuilding football infrastructure in Gaza, including pitches, an academy and a national stadium, as part of what the organisation described as a broader football development project.

Chelsea have agreed a multi-year front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with Swedish software company IFS, ending more than half a season without a principal shirt partner.

The Premier League club confirmed that IFS, which specialises in industrial artificial intelligence, will become the new front-of-shirt sponsor for the remainder of the 2025/26 season and beyond.

Chelsea have played without a front-of-shirt sponsor for over half of the current campaign. It is not the first time under BlueCo’s ownership that the club have gone without a lead commercial partner on their shirts.

AI partnership focus

Chelsea said the agreement marks “the beginning of a long-term collaboration that places advanced AI at the heart of football performance, operational excellence and fan engagement”.

The delay in securing a sponsor had drawn external criticism of the club’s corporate leadership, although Chelsea indicated the process reflected a desire to secure an appropriate financial arrangement.

 

Ares Management to roll out European sports fund for private clients

Ares Management is set to introduce a sports, media and entertainment investment vehicle for wealthy individuals in Europe, according to Bloomberg.

The strategy, expected to launch later this year, will target both debt and equity opportunities across sports leagues, clubs and related businesses, alongside media and entertainment assets. The firm began raising capital for a comparable fund aimed at US private investors in June.

Ares oversees approximately $623 billion in assets and currently manages about $66 billion in products designed for wealthy individuals. It has set a target of increasing that figure to $125 billion within two years.

Ares in sport

Since 2022, Ares has acquired stakes in a SailGP team backed by Kylian Mbappé, the Miami Dolphins and Chelsea.

In 2025 it sold most of its holding in Atlético de Madrid to Apollo Global Management in a transaction valuing the Spanish club at roughly €2.5 billion including debt.

 

Arsenal technical director James Ellis leaves after seven months

Arsenal technical director James Ellis has left the club seven months after being promoted to the role.

Ellis moved up from his previous position as head of recruitment last summer but has now departed the Emirates Stadium as part of an internal restructuring.

The changes follow a series of senior adjustments behind the scenes at the north London club.

Leadership reshuffle continues

Andrea Berta has taken over as sporting director, replacing Jason Ayto, who left last summer. In November, BBC Sport reported that Napoli head of scouting Maurizio Micheli had joined Arsenal in a senior recruitment role.

 

Paris Saint-Germain drop appeal over €60 million Mbappé wage ruling

Paris Saint-Germain have decided not to appeal a French labour court ruling ordering them to pay upto €61 million to former forward Kylian Mbappé in unpaid wages and bonuses, the club have told AFP.

The court said the sum comprised €55 million in unpaid salary and around €6 million in holiday pay. PSG had been given one month to appeal the December decision, even though they were required to pay the amount within that period regardless of any appeal.

“In the interest of responsibility and in order to put a definitive end to a procedure which has lasted too long, the club has chosen not to prolong this dispute,” PSG said.

December ruling

The club said it was “resolutely turned towards the future, focused on its sporting project and collective success”, confirming it would close the long-running legal case.

Mbappé left PSG after seven seasons to join Real Madrid, where he reportedly earns €30 million per year. He scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for the French champions.

 

FC Barcelona target €100 million revenue lift from new VIP hospitality model at revamped Camp Nou

FC Barcelona expect to generate up to €100 million in additional revenue from a new premium hospitality model at the revamped Spotify Camp Nou, according to Expansión.

The scheme, branded Barça Hospitality, will commercialise 3,000 remaining premium seats with licence contracts of between 15 and 30 years. Prices range from €20,000 to €80,000, with annual fees of €6,000 to €12,000.

The club are already forecasting €120 million per year from VIP seating and new sponsorship agreements and have previously said the redeveloped stadium could lift revenue by around €350 million a year.

Long-term income focus

The new model replaces previous contracts of up to ten years and initially applies to around 800 seats. In total, the stadium will have 9,400 VIP seats once completed, including 5,400 already sold and 1,000 yet to be allocated.

Barcelona, who have total debt of €2.5 billion, say the longer-term agreements will provide more predictable income aligned with debt servicing and future refinancings.

 

Media: Tottenham Hotspur lose long-standing sponsor

Tottenham Hotspur have lost a long-standing commercial partner worth millions of pounds, according to The Telegraph, as concerns grow over the club’s domestic performance and financial outlook.

The unnamed sponsor has informed Spurs that its partnership will end this summer, with notice submitted at the end of last year. The agreement is believed to have generated millions of pounds over several years.

At least one other sponsorship deal is due to expire at the end of the season without a renewal agreed, while another partner is reviewing its position, with industry experts estimating that the wider impact for the club could reach tens of millions of pounds.

Lack of communication

Certain contracts contain renegotiation or termination clauses tied to relegation or annual performance reviews, increasing the risk of further exits.

Sponsors have expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s domestic trajectory and a perceived lack of communication following the departure of former chairman Daniel Levy. Some partners are yet to establish direct relationships with chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.

Leicester City and the Premier League have each filed appeals after an independent commission imposed a six-point deduction on the club for breaching the profitability and sustainability rules.

The Premier League is seeking a further sanction linked to Leicester’s delayed submission of their 2023/24 accounts. While the disciplinary commission acknowledged that Leicester delayed submitting their accounts, it did not treat the delay as an aggravating factor when determining the penalty.

Premier League said it wants the appeal process concluded before the end of the EFL season in May to provide clarity for clubs and supporters.

Leicester's appeal

Leicester are contesting both the scale of the punishment and the mechanism through which it was applied. The club are understood to argue that the English Football League should not be able to enforce a sanction on the Premier League’s behalf.

The deduction has moved Leicester into the Championship relegation places. They are 22nd in the table, two points from safety, with 14 fixtures remaining.
 

OutField takes majority stake in Le Mans FC as Courtois joins as minority investor

Brazilian investment fund OutField has acquired a majority stake in Le Mans FC from Thierry Gomez, consolidating control of the Ligue 2 club six months after initially entering its share capital as a minority shareholder.

The deal was completed with the support of European investors including NinetyTwo X and NxtPlay Capital. Through the latter vehicle, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has joined the club as a minority shareholder.

OutField, which manages more than $150 million and focuses exclusively on the sports industry, also owns a stake in Brazilian club Coritiba. The fund first invested in Le Mans last summer alongside high-profile athletes such as tennis player Novak Djokovic and former Formula 1 drivers Felipe Massa and Kevin Magnussen.

New training centre

In a statement announcing the takeover, the club said a new training centre will be “one of the pillars” of the new ownership's project, with the facility scheduled to open in July 2026.

Thierry Gomez will remain a shareholder and president, continuing to oversee day-to-day operations.
 

FC Porto report €1.9 million profit for first-half of 2025/26 as player sales offset wage rise

FC Porto have reported a profit of €1.9 million for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, up from €0.6 million in the same period last year.

The increase was primarily driven by a €15.3 million rise in profit on player sales, which reached €41.6 million. That offset a €13 million increase in wages, which climbed to €51.3 million.

Revenue excluding player sales rose 5 per cent to €80.9 million.

Debt falls

The Portuguese club reduced net debt by €46.4 million during the first six months of the financial year.

Porto finished outside the UEFA Champions League qualification places in both 2023/24 and 2024/25. They are currently top of the league as they seek to secure qualification next season and win the title for the first time since 2021/22.
 

FIFA yet to distribute €212 million Club World Cup solidarity fund as clubs grow frustrated

Clubs across multiple continents are waiting for FIFA to distribute €212 million in solidarity payments promised after last summer’s Club World Cup, more than seven months after the tournament concluded, as reported by The Guardian.

The fund, agreed as part of the competition’s financial model, was designed to benefit clubs that did not participate. While the €846million allocated as prize money is understood to have been paid, FIFA has yet to determine how the solidarity pot will be divided or when payments will be made.

There is no indication the money will not be paid, but frustration is growing, particularly among clubs in smaller leagues. If distributed evenly, the fund would amount to roughly €57,000 per top-flight club worldwide, although in practice payments are unlikely to be identical.

Allocation formula unresolved

One unresolved issue is how the €212 million will be split between the six confederations. Most of these also lack an established mechanism for distributing such funds.

A source at the Union of European Clubs told The Guardian that neither the organisation nor its members had received information on timing.

The Premier League has faced opposition from several leading clubs after outlining an exploratory idea to centralise the sale of perimeter advertising rights in a move it claims could generate an additional £750 million per year, according to a report from Daily Mail.

At a shareholder meeting last week, clubs were presented with a potential alternative where 60 per cent of pitch-side inventory could be sold centrally under a model similar to that used in US sports, with the number of top-tier partners rising from seven to 10.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are among those with significant reservations, alongside other members of the so-called Big Six -Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.

The competition is expected to continue to liaise with its clubs and would not bring forward any formal proposals which it believes would not be in the interests of its members.

Conflict concerns

Manchester United are understood to be willing to listen but remain unconvinced the move would benefit either the club or the competition, while Manchester City are also thought to harbour serious concerns. Elite clubs are said to believe their own commercial departments offer greater expertise than a centrally run operation.

One chief executive warned that centrally negotiated deals could create conflicts with existing sponsors. A league-wide automotive partnership, for example, could clash with individual club agreements in the same sector. Clubs with smaller revenues may be more supportive, viewing the proposal as an opportunity to increase income by leveraging the global appeal of the league’s biggest sides.

UEFA ready to back FIFA’s 48-team Club World Cup expansion from 2029

UEFA are prepared to support FIFA’s plan to expand the Club World Cup to 48 teams from 2029, removing a significant obstacle to the competition’s growth from 32 teams, according to The Guardian.

European football’s governing body are now willing to endorse a larger tournament on the condition it is not staged every two years, rejecting the prospect of a biennial cycle.

Previously UEFA has opposed expansion amid concerns it could undermine the status and competitive balance of the Champions League.

Calendar tensions remain

A proposal for a two-year cycle, raised by Real Madrid during talks with FIFA in Miami last June, has not progressed in the face of opposition from UEFA and domestic European leagues.

FIFA had indicated before last summer’s tournament in the United States that it was open to increasing the field from 32 teams, primarily to secure broader participation among Europe’s leading clubs.

An expansion to 48 clubs would likely increase UEFA’s allocation from 12 to 16 teams in 2029.

LaLiga wins court order forcing VPNs to block 16 alleged piracy sites

LaLiga and broadcast partner Telefónica have secured a Spanish court order requiring NordVPN and Proton VPN to block access in Spain to 16 websites accused of illegally streaming matches.

The rulings compel the VPN providers to make the sites’ IP addresses inaccessible from Spanish networks. The orders were issued ex parte and cannot be appealed.

LaLiga said in a statement the court recognised VPNs as technological intermediaries subject to European digital regulation and required to prevent infringements on their infrastructure.

VPNs contest decision

NordVPN and Proton said they were unaware of the proceedings and had not received the judicial documents. NordVPN said the approach denied it the opportunity to defend itself and argued that blocking domains is ineffective because sites can circumvent restrictions.

LaLiga has also introduced a reward scheme offering 50 euros for verified reports of businesses illegally broadcasting matches, adding that legitimate feeds carry a distinctive on-screen letter to identify authorised transmissions.

The Premier League have agreed a new broadcast deal with ESPN in South America and the Caribbean worth about £450 million, representing a 25 per cent increase on the previous contract, according to The Guardian.

Clubs were informed of the deal at last Friday’s shareholders’ meeting, where they were also updated on other international rights packages due to go out to tender shortly.

The uplift in one of the league’s largest overseas markets comes as domestic rights growth has stalled. While the Premier League secured a marginal increase in its latest UK cycle with Sky Sports and TNT Sports, rising from £1.63 billion per season to £1.67 billion, that uplift was driven by an expansion in live matches from 215 to 270 per season.

Domestic pressure contrasts with overseas growth

On a per-game basis, the value of the UK rights fell by about 10 per cent. The Premier League have since begun discussions with the EFL about seeking the removal of the 3pm Saturday blackout from 2029 onwards, which would allow all 380 matches each season to be sold live domestically.

All Premier League matches are already broadcast live internationally. Overseas media rights currently generate £2.1bn per year, compared with £1.67bn from domestic deals, and the gap appears set to widen.

The league are also preparing to take their US rights to market following this summer’s World Cup. NBC Sports currently pay £378m per year under an exclusive six-year deal running until 2028, and are expected to face competition from rival broadcasters.

Lazio unveil €480 million plan for new 50,000-seat stadium

SS Lazio have presented plans to redevelop the Stadio Flaminio into a 50,000-seat venue at an estimated cost of €480 million.

The construction scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027 and completion targeted for the first half of 2031, the club unveiled at a press conference with club owner and president Claudio Lotito.

Of the total investment, €80 million would be self-financed, although the club did not specify how the remaining €400 million would be funded.

Financing and Euro 2032

Lotito said the stadium would be owned by a newly created company fully controlled by Lazio. “If I load €480 million, which is the cost of the investment, solely onto Lazio, it is obvious that I create a balance sheet problem,” he said. “We will therefore do it with a newco. But there will be no Chinese boxes.”

Lotito also said Lazio have already presented a formal expression of interest in the renovated Stadio Flaminio hosting matches at Euro 2032, which Italy will co-host with Turkey.

Birmingham City sell women’s team to ownership group

Birmingham City have sold 97 per cent of their women’s team to Shelby Companies Limited, the holding company through which Knighthead Capital Management control the club, with a further three per cent acquired by a group of minority investors, the club have announced in a statement.

The club said Shelby Companies Limited has purchased 97 per cent of Birmingham City Women FC, with the remaining three per cent sold to “several prominent female business leaders and global professional icons”. The statement named former England international Karen Carney and former women’s world No.1 tennis player Kim Clijsters among the minority shareholders.

The transaction moves the women’s team outside the men’s team’s company structure and follows similar restructurings elsewhere in the Premier League.

Ownership restructuring trend

In June 2024, Chelsea sold their women’s team to parent company BlueCo in a deal valuing the side at approximately £200 million. Earlier, Aston Villa agreed to sell their women’s team to V Sports in a £55 million transaction. Both clubs said the moves were designed to boost revenue and ensure compliance with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

Birmingham City Women are currently second in Women’s Super League 2. Promotion to the Women’s Super League will be awarded to the top teams as part of an expansion planned for the 2026/27 season.

Marseille owner confirm Benatia will remain as sporting director few days after resignation

Marseille owner Frank McCourt has confirmed that sporting director Medhi Benatia will remain in his role until the end of June, two days after announcing his resignation. McCourt said Benatia had agreed to continue overseeing all sporting matters, including the appointment of a new head coach.

Benatia stated on Sunday that he had submitted his resignation, citing “tensions surrounding the leadership” and describing “a growing dissatisfaction, a rift that I deeply regret…in Marseille, results are the only judge”.

The resignation followed the departure of head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who left by mutual consent after Marseille were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage and lost 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.

Leadership reshuffle

In a separate statement, McCourt said that chairman Pablo Longoria would now focus on “institutional responsibilities” to maintain the club’s representation within French and European bodies.

Marseille are currently five points behind Lyon in third place in Ligue 1. The top three in qualify automatically for next season’s Champions League.

James Bord, part of the consortium selected as preferred bidder for Sheffield Wednesday, is being sued in the United States over his involvement with Spanish club Córdoba CF.

According to The Times, Jonathan Cohen, a Canadian poker player and former business partner of Bord, has filed a complaint in Nevada alleging he was misled over Córdoba CF’s financial position when he agreed to invest in 2024 and was told the club were debt free. The filing claims the club in fact had debts of around $23 million at the time of the deal.

Cohen’s legal representatives accuse Bord of “oppression, fraud and malice” and are seeking punitive damages. The complaint includes claims of fraudulent inducement, unjust enrichment and breach of confidence.

Court documents state that Cohen initially agreed to acquire a 6.89 per cent stake in Córdoba before increasing it to 10 per cent, at a cost of approximately £3 million. He alleges he would not have proceeded with the investment had he known of the club’s alleged debt position.

Owners’ test scrutiny

Bord is part of a three-man consortium alongside German businessman Felix Römer and Alsharif Bin Jamil, a member of the Jordanian royal family. In December, the group were named preferred bidder for Sheffield Wednesday by administrators Begbies Traynor.

The English Football League must approve the consortium under its owners’ and directors’ test before any takeover can be completed, while the Independent Football Regulator will gain powers from May to assess prospective owners and investigate incumbents.
 

Benatia resigns as Olympique Marseille's director of football

Medhi Benatia has resigned as director of football at Olympique de Marseille, announcing his decision on Sunday following the club’s 2-2 draw with Strasbourg in Ligue 1.

He said he had submitted his resignation, citing tensions around the club’s leadership and stating he did not want his presence to become “an obstacle or a burden for the organisation and development”.

Benatia, who joined as sporting adviser in November 2023 before being appointed director of football in January 2025, said he had taken the decision earlier in the week.

“Cannot ignore the current climate”

“Despite the recent setbacks and certain cruel scenarios, sportingly, the project is progressing, but I cannot ignore the current climate,” Benatia wrote, adding that he leaves “with the feeling of having done the maximum”.

His departure follows the club’s elimination in the league phase of the Champions League and a 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which led to the departure of coach Roberto De Zerbi.
 

Serie A approves €18 million deal to acquire 51 per cent of Fantacalcio

Lega Serie A has approved the acquisition of a 51 per cent stake in Fantacalcio, the fantasy game linked to Italian football, for €18 million, following a vote at the league’s assembly on Monday.

According to Calcio e Finanza, the transaction will be financed through a loan to be repaid using profits generated by the company.

Fantacalcio has around three million registered users and generated more than €9 million in revenue, with annual profits close to €4 million.

Price concerns among clubs

15 clubs voted for the transaction, while Como, Fiorentina and Napoli voted against, citing concerns that the agreed price was too high. Cremonese and Roma abstained.

League president Ezio Simonelli announced the approval following the meeting.

The Premier League has told its 20 clubs it is exploring commercial changes that could generate an additional £750 million a year, according to Sky News.

Clubs were informed at a shareholder meeting this week that executives have begun examining plans to centralise 60 per cent of pitch-side perimeter advertising sales and expand the league’s top-tier commercial partners from seven to 10. Initial modelling presented to clubs suggested the changes could deliver the projected annual uplift.

The proposal would mirror commercial structures used in several leading US sports leagues. Sky sources said discussions were exploratory and that no formal decision had been taken to proceed.

Commercial structure under review

The league’s current roster of principal partners includes Barclays, Microsoft, EA and Guinness. It also holds licensing agreements with companies such as Topps, Football Manager and Sorare.

One club executive is said to have raised concerns that increasing the number of central partners could create conflicts with clubs’ own commercial arrangements.

 

AFCON 2027 set to be held in the summer

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be staged in June and July, according to a report from The Athletic. The tournament will be co-hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe, speaking after an executive meeting in Dar es Salaam, suggested the opening match will take place in Tanzania. He also dismissed reports that the hosting rights were at risk due to alleged infrastructure delays, saying the competition would be “enormously successful”.

Although no exact dates were confirmed, a summer schedule would leave many African nations facing a compressed qualifying period following this year’s World Cup.

Considers expanding tournament

Motsepe also said he intends to increase the number of participating teams from 24 to 28 once AFCON moves to a four-year cycle after 2028.

The proposed expansion would mark a further structural change to the tournament’s format, subject to approval by CAF’s decision-making bodies.

 

Ares seek $250 million recovery from Eagle Football amid Lyon dispute

Ares Management are seeking to recover around $250 million in outstanding loans to Eagle Football Holdings amid an escalating dispute with majority shareholder John Textor, according to Bloomberg.

Ares is exploring options including forcing a sale or taking control of Olympique Lyon, which is owned by Eagle. Eagle acquired the Ligue 1 club for around €800 million in 2022, with Ares providing more than $450 million in financing as part of one of its first major football investments.

Although Ares have recouped more than $200 million of the original loan, recent filings show the firm has marked the remaining debt down to roughly 32 cents on the dollar. People familiar with the matter said Ares believe Eagle have breached multiple covenants, a claim Textor disputes.

Dispute over alleged defaults

A spokesperson for Textor said Ares had destabilised Eagle and its portfolio clubs despite signing off on audited financial statements. “We dispute all alleged events of default,” the spokesperson said, while Ares said it would defend its position through legal channels.

Eagle’s portfolio includes RWD Molenbeek and Botafogo, and previously included Crystal Palace, which was sold last summer, allowing Ares to recover a significant portion of its exposure.

 

CEO to leave LFP Media after World Cup rights dispute

Nicolas de Tavernost has confirmed he will step down as director general of LFP Media, citing a lack of support following a dispute over World Cup broadcasting rights, according to Le Figaro.

De Tavernost announced his decision during a Ligue de Football Professionnel board meeting on Thursday afternoon, describing it as irrevocable. He will remain in post until a successor is appointed. Reports suggesting he might reverse his decision have been dismissed.

The situation intensified after beIN Sports secured rights to the next FIFA World Cup ahead of Ligue 1+, despite LFP Media’s platform having agreed a deal with FIFA for pay-TV coverage of all 104 matches. The agreement was valued at nearly €20 million, including €17 million in rights fees and €2.5 million in production costs.

Dispute over legal action

De Tavernost had considered pursuing action against FIFA to defend Ligue 1+’s position, but did not receive backing for that approach. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, indicated earlier on Thursday that it was time to move on from the matter.

beIN Sports forms part of beIN Media Group, which is chaired by Nasser al-Khelaïfi, who also serves as president of Paris Saint-Germain.

 

Canada Soccer agrees 12-year rights deal projecting $100 million uplift

Canada Soccer has agreed a new 12-year commercial rights deal with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), projecting “well over $100 million” in additional net revenue compared with the existing contract.

Chief executive Kevin Blue said the governing body expects the uplift across the term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2037, with a mutual option for a five-year extension. The previous arrangement with CSB, which this week rebranded as Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment CSME), had drawn criticism from players and politicians who argued it undervalued the federation’s assets.

Under the revised structure, the parties will share the first $10 million of adjusted gross revenue annually, with Canada Soccer’s share rising to 70 per cent at $22.5 million and above. The deal also provides either $19.5 million in additional lump-sum payments at set points or a shift to a 70 per cent share of all adjusted gross revenue from 1 January 2029. A minimum annual guarantee remains in place.

Broadcast commitments

The contract commits to “wide broadcast distribution” of all senior national team home matches and international fixtures played in Canada-friendly time zones, with equal exposure for the men’s and women’s teams described as a guiding principle.

CSB, launched in 2018 to manage Canada Soccer’s marketing and broadcast rights alongside the Canadian Premier League, previously paid a guaranteed annual fee reported at $4 million, rising by around $500,000 per year ahead of the 2026 men’s World Cup.

UEFA has published its financial report for the 2024/25 season, reporting revenue of €5.01 billion across all competitions — a record for a financial year without a men’s European Championship. More than €4 billion was generated from media rights agreements.

The accounts are the first released since the introduction of the new Champions League structure and outline the revenue distribution variations for clubs competing in UEFA’s three club competitions.

Paris Saint-Germain received the highest payout from UEFA, earning €144.4 million for winning the Champions League. Tottenham Hotspur received €41.4 million for their Europa League victory, while Chelsea earned €21.8 million for winning the Conference League.

Financial distribution

UEFA distributed €3.4 billion to clubs during the season, an increase of €400 million compared with the previous campaign.

The governing body allocated 10 per cent of its gross competition revenues to solidarity payments. Of that total, €308 million was distributed to clubs not participating in European competitions.

Further funds were allocated to clubs eliminated in qualifying rounds, while €25 million was directed towards the UEFA Youth League and women’s club competitions.
 

FA reviewing Ratcliffe remarks for possible breach of regulations

The English Football Association is assessing whether Jim Ratcliffe’s claim that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” breaches its regulations, according to The Times.

The Manchester United co-owner has apologised for his “choice of language”, but the FA’s legal team is considering whether the comments could amount to bringing the game into disrepute under Rule E3.1.

As a club director, Ratcliffe falls under its jurisdiction, with breaches for media comments typically resulting in financial penalties. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the matter was being handled by the governing body’s legal and regulation department.

Project and internal fallout

The remarks have prompted concern among figures involved in the proposed Old Trafford regeneration.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham described the comments as “inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn”, while sources told The Times that political support for the stadium project could be affected.

Senior figures at United have also indicated that the comments caused offence internally. In a statement on Thursday, the club said it “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club” and that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in its work.
 

Aleksander Ceferin: UEFA position on Russia ban remains unchanged

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said the organisation’s position on the exclusion of Russian clubs and the national team from international competitions “remains unchanged”.

Speaking in Brussels on the sidelines of UEFA’s 50th Congress, Ceferin said: “The position of UEFA is clear and has not changed,” and declined to “interfere” in discussions conducted by other parties.

Ceferin said he could not comment on what FIFA or governments decide, adding that he follows developments every day.

Return linked to end of conflict

Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, UEFA have linked any return of Russian teams to the end of the conflict.

Ceferin's remarks follow comments by FIFA president Gianni Infantino in an interview with Sky News on 3 February, when he was asked about ending Russia’s suspension and said: “We have to consider it, for sure.”
 

QPR and Crawley Town sued for £11.1 million by former player over alleged racist abuse

Queens Park Rangers and Crawley Town are being sued for £11.1 million by former player Amrit Bansal-McNulty, who alleges the clubs failed to protect him from racist abuse that he says ended his professional career.

The claim, being heard at the Central London Employment Tribunal, seeks reimbursement for loss of opportunity and personal injury. Both clubs deny wrongdoing. The case relates to the 2021/22 season, when Bansal-McNulty was on loan at Crawley.

According to documents seen by The Guardian, the claim centres on alleged racist “banter” by former Crawley manager John Yems, who was banned for three years by the FA after being found guilty of 11 charges of using discriminatory language.

Failure to act

Bansal-McNulty alleges both clubs failed to act when concerns were raised, including during a telephone conversation with QPR’s then sporting director Chris Ramsey in April 2022. Ramsey told the tribunal the player had complained about banter but denied being told it was racist and rejected suggestions he had minimised the issue.

A decision on liability is expected this month, with any damages to be determined at a later hearing if the claim succeeds.

Real Madrid have reached an agreement with UEFA and European Football Clubs (EFC) to bring the European Super League project to an end, concluding the breakaway initiative launched in 2021.

In a joint statement, the parties said the agreement was reached “for the good of European club football” and would end the legal disputes initiated by the Spanish club following months of discussions.

Real Madrid accepted that it will respect “the principle of sporting merit”, with the statement also referring to long-term club sustainability and improving fan experience through technology.

Only remaining club

FC Barcelona formally withdrew from the project last week, leaving Real Madrid as the only remaining supporter.

The Super League was launched in April 2021 with 12 clubs, including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juventus, but collapsed within 48 hours after all Premier League clubs withdrew.
 

beIN Sports secure World Cup rights outbidding Ligue 1+

beIN Sports has secured the pay-TV rights to the 2026 and 2030 FIFA World Cups after outbidding Ligue 1+, despite the LFP platform having reached an agreement and signed a contract for the 2026 tournament, according to L’Équipe.

Ligue 1+ had agreed a deal with FIFA worth close to €20 million for the 2026 edition, including €17 million in rights and €2.5 million in production costs, covering all 104 matches.

However, beIN Sports submitted a broader offer covering both the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, ultimately securing the rights to both competitions.

beIN Media Group is chaired by Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain.

CEO intends to step down

The fallout prompted an emergency board meeting of the LFP on Wednesday, during which Nicolas de Tavernost announced his intention to step down as chief executive of LFP Media. He said he was no longer in a position to pursue his mission effectively and intends to remain until a successor is appointed.

Appointed in April 2025, de Tavernost had overseen DAZN’s early exit from its Ligue 1 contract and the launch of the League’s in-house platform.
 

Brentford pre-tax loss widens to £20 million despite record revenue

Brentford have reported a pre-tax loss of £20 million for the 2024/25 financial year, up from £7.9 million the previous year, as operating losses increased to £40 million.

The Premier League club generated record revenue of £173.1 million, a rise of 4 per cent. However, wages increased by 11 per cent and amortisation rose by 34 per cent, with the combined total reaching £179 million.

Brentford spent a club-record £100.2 million on player additions during the season, including Igor Thiago, Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg. Profit on player sales increased by £2 million to £27.2 million.

Frank compensation

The accounts show that Brentford received £6.7 million in compensation from Tottenham Hotspur following the departure of head coach Thomas Frank and his staff. Frank was sacked by Tottenham on Wednesday.

Brentford are the fourth Premier League club to publish their financial results covering the 2024/25 season, after Manchester City, Manchester United and Brighton.
 

Spanish Footballers’ Association leaves FIFPRO to lead creation of new global players’ union

The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) has voted to leave FIFPRO, the global players’ union representing more than 70,000 professional footballers, and will lead the creation of a new worldwide footballers’ body after securing 99.8 per cent backing from their assembly members.

The decision comes just over a year after AFE president David Aganzo stepped down as president of FIFPRO, a position he held between 2021 and 2024.

AFE said the withdrawal was driven by what it described as an “absolute lack of transparency” within FIFPRO and its “non-existent dialogue with international institutions”, which it argued harms footballers.

New global structure

In addition to exiting FIFPRO, AFE will spearhead a new international players’ organisation aimed at strengthening dialogue with global sports stakeholders.

No further details have been disclosed regarding the structure, governance or membership of the proposed body.
 

Independent football regulator seeks clarity from Sheffield Wednesday takeover bidders

The Independent Football Regulator has sought further clarification from the consortium attempting to buy Sheffield Wednesday, according to The Times.

Administrators named a three-man group comprising former professional gambler James Bord, German AI entrepreneur Felix Roemer and Alsharif Faisal Bin Jamil as preferred bidder on Christmas Eve. The English Football League (EFL) has yet to decide whether the trio will pass its owners’ and directors’ test and whether they have the required funding and plan.

An IFR official said the regulator was engaging with the bidders and administrators to seek clarity, warning against a “long, drawn-out process” before its powers come into force in May, when any new owner would also need to satisfy the regulator’s test.

Bidders face scrutiny

The EFL received written notice of the consortium’s identities on January 9 and is understood to have obtained substantial documentation only in recent weeks.

The Times reported earlier this month that limited public information about the source of funding has raised questions among supporters and within the club over whether the consortium would be able to pass the EFL’s test, although the group says it remains confident the purchase will be completed.