The Premier League is reported to be drawing up a formal process to force club owners who are barred as directors to sell their shares following Roman Abramovich’s chaotic exit from Chelsea last year.

Sources told The Financial Times that the English top-flight is in talks with its members about introducing a so-called divestment protocol that would set out a process for club owners to exit in cases when the league bars them from serving as directors owing to “disqualifying events”.

The discussion follows moves by the Premier League to toughen up its Owners’ and Directors’ Test. Disqualifying events, which can be appealed, now include human rights abuses and an extended list of criminal offences such as violence, corruption, fraud and tax evasion.

Accelerated sale

It is understood the divestment protocol, which is due to be discussed at a shareholder meeting in September, would be designed to govern what happens next in an event similar to the accelerated sale of Chelsea last year in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The FT also revealed that several clubs have concerns about the divestment protocol, with one person saying clubs were keen to ensure that the league avoided implementing “draconian” measures.

Some US professional sports leagues such as the NFL and NBA have rules allowing them to call a vote among fellow owners to force the sale of a team, although such moves are unusual.

 

DFL CEO: Private equity investment not off the table

German Football League (DFL) joint CEO Marc Lenz has insisted it remains open to investment from private equity firms despite Bundesliga clubs previously resisting similar moves.

Back in May German teams voted against plans to sell a 12.5 per cent stake in the Bundesliga’s media rights business to a private equity firm in a proposed deal that would have lasted for at least 20 years. This came after previous discussions over a 25 per cent stake which began in 2021 were vetoed by clubs.

Speaking with reporters ahead of the DFL Supercup, Lenz said the DFL would continue talks with the clubs aimed at growing the German top-flight.

“The discussions were stopped in May for various reasons,” he said. “But we don’t think it is the ultimate end of those discussions because the necessity to develop as a league remains exactly as it was previously.”

“Pivotal to initiate a couple of steps”

Lenz added: “For us, the importance is around the long-term development and what needs to be done in the short-term and those go hand in hand because obviously right now we have a certain budget that the league is operating on and it’s pivotal to initiate a couple of steps already.

“In truth, it’s obviously with a limited budget because it’s coming out of the operating budget that the league has which is different to working with a strategic partner and significant investment that can be used and allocated over a respective time period.

“Nevertheless, the discussions will continue and they’re two-sided – one with clubs on the long-term development, what needs to be done and what can be done in current financial terms, and the second part is if there is an agreement on the long-term development, how is that going to be financed and when can it be initiated.”

 

US investor Stephen Pagliuca says Saudi spending could disrupt Premier League

American investor Stephen Pagliuca, who last year made an unsuccessful bid for Chelsea, has said the recent heavy spending in the transfer market by Saudi Pro League clubs has the potential to significantly disrupt the English Premier League.

Commenting on the vast outlays made by Saudi clubs this summer, Pagliuca, a senior adviser at private equity firm Bain Capital, told Bloomberg TV: “It’s been an extraordinary injection of capital and increased the price of players dramatically”.

Established players from Premier League teams including Chelsea and Liverpool have made the move east, as have those from the top-flights in Spain, France, Italy and Germany.

Pagliuca noted that players are being offered contracts worth three or four times more what they can make in the Premier League. “We’ll see how long it’s sustainable,” he added.

Atalanta player

Pagliuca holds a stake in Serie A club Atalanta and is the co-owner of NBA team Boston Celtics. Last week, Atalanta reportedly agreed to sell one of its players – Turkish defender Merih Demiral – to Saudi Arabian team Al-Ahli.

 

Infantino: Women's World Cup broke even with $570 million-plus in revenue

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said the Women's World Cup generated more than $570 million in revenue, enabling the tournament to break even, despite prize money rising tenfold compared to the 2015 edition.

Speaking at the opening of the second FIFA Women's Football Convention in Sydney on Friday, Infantino claimed the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup had been the "best and greatest and biggest", and had vindicated the expansion from 24 to 32 teams as well as the higher prize money.

The FIFA chief declared: "Some voices were raised, would it cost too much? We don't make enough revenues, we will have to subsidise. And our opinion was, well if we have to subsidise, we will subsidise, because we have to do that.

"But actually, this World Cup generated over $570 million in revenues, and so we broke even. We didn't lose any money and we generated the second highest income of any sport, besides of course the men's World Cup, at a global stage."

“Pick the right battles”

Infantino sparked controversy during his speech as he urged women’s football to “pick the right battles” in the fight for equal pay while placing the onus on women to enforce the change.

The $440 million prize purse for the men's World Cup in Qatar is still considerably more than the $152 million shared by the women in Australia and New Zealand.

"I say to all the women, you have the power to change. Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights," Infantino said.

"Just keep pushing, keep the momentum, keep dreaming, and let's really go for a full equality. Not just equal pay in the World Cup, which is a slogan that comes up every now and then."

"For now, Inter Milan remains my primary target. It's a massive club with enormous potential for success on and off the pitch. Yes, I hope to become the owner someday, but it takes two to tango."

If anyone assumed that Thomas Zilliacus, the Finnish billionaire with a background in tech and politics, had turned his back on the football industry after his failed bid for Manchester United in March, they would be mistaken.

"I had to withdraw from the Manchester United bidding process due to the escalating price. Matching the offers of other investors would have made the investment unprofitable, so it was a logical decision to step back," he says, touching on one of his core principles before entering the world of football as an investor or club owner: Running a profitable business is essential.

However, before delving further into this philosophy, we must ascertain whether he genuinely believes he can secure the Champions League finalist from last year or if his interest is more aspirational than grounded in reality.

"My interest in Inter Milan is genuine and unquestionable. While I'm unable to reveal more due to a signed NDA and potential competitors, I can affirm my determination to acquire the club."

Influential network

Thomas Zilliacus  initially gained attention as the youngest member of the Helsinki City Council in 1979.  . In 1984, he secured another four-year term as a councilman.

As a businessman, he enjoyed a successful tenure at Nokia, where he assumed the role of Corporate Communications Global Head in 1980. He then relocated to Singapore to become Nokia Southeast Asia's CEO, marking a pivotal point in his career. He orchestrated Nokia's substantial expansion in the region before venturing into entrepreneurship. Zilliacus went on to co-found multiple businesses, predominantly in tech and media, along with real estate investment ventures.

Examining his career, it's evident that he possesses a potent and influential network, particularly in Asia.

However, we're engaging with Thomas Zilliacus due to his imminent role as probably one of European football's most innovative and open-minded investors. The landscape is populated with Americans, many of whom are part of private equity-driven ownership groups. They often adopt a reserved approach, refraining from extensive communication with stakeholders, including fans. Consider the scarcity of interviews with Tom Boehly since his acquisition of Chelsea or the dearth of conversations with the Glazers regarding their ownership of Manchester United over the past 5-10 years. This scenario is consistent across the Premier League, spanning clubs such as Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and Everton.

Club owners typically eschew interviews, instead favoring periodic written communication with fans.

Thomas Zilliacus presents a marked contrast in this regard. He's widely recognized as an exceptionally transparent investor, unafraid to express his perspectives on a broad spectrum of subjects. He accomplishes this through his Twitter accounts and discussions with journalists, allowing them to pose the questions they deem fit.

"I've even received messages from fans suggesting that I'm being too candid about my intentions," remarks Thomas Zilliacus during a Zoom call from his residence in Finland, where he's currently enjoying the Finnish summer. Despite his global travels and additional residences in Singapore and elsewhere, Zilliacus's transparency remains consistent.

Clubs can do more

He's presently on the verge of finalizing a $500 million sports fund, with a clear emphasis on football club ownership. The fund's scope might also encompass shares in sports-tech companies and other sports-related businesses.

"We could potentially develop our own MCO, but this hinges on the Inter Milan sales process outcome. I emphasize the need to dedicate substantial time to being an effective owner. If we're dealing with a significant club, I can't afford to be spread too thin. While a management team would be in place for implementing changes, I'm not a passive owner. Thus, I must ensure I have sufficient availability before committing to multiple endeavors."

According to the Finnish businessman, his stance on global fanbases differentiates him from most other club executives. While he cherishes local fans, the stadium atmosphere, and the historical and matchday traditions, he contends that both club executives and fans must acknowledge the widespread following many football clubs have around the world.

"Frankly, I believe clubs aren't doing enough to integrate global fans as genuine parts of the clubs they support," asserts Zilliacus.

He's of the opinion that enhancing the focus on global fans shouldn't come at the expense of local fans.

"Given my technology background, I'm convinced that numerous intelligent solutions exist to bring global fans closer to their clubs—whether they support a Spanish, Italian, or German team. While clubs undertake several efforts to engage with global fans, I'm convinced they can do more."

From a business standpoint, he emphasizes that it's not overly logical to primarily focus on the 40,000 or 600,000 fans who have the opportunity to attend the stadium each week.

"There's much more potential if you create and develop excellent solutions for fans around the globe; that would certainly be a priority for me. Club investments should benefit both local and global fans – these aspects are interdependent," he explains.

Substantial new revenue source

As a savvy businessman, he's also invested in a company offering a solution he believes could significantly enhance the emotional connection between a club and a fan situated thousands of miles away on matchdays.

"We possess a patented platform that, as a club owner, I believe can be transformative. It's truly unique, extensively tested, and has yielded exceptional results."

Whether this platform is exclusively for clubs owned by Thomas Zilliacus or a solution that could be marketed to clubs worldwide remains undecided.

Following comprehensive research and development of the digital platform, he has developed services that have generated over €400 per year from each participating fan.

"I understand you can't approach the mathematics by assuming that every social media follower of X club will sign up and buy services for €400 annually. However, we have already created distinct offerings that fans have paid over €400 per year for. New technology in VR and AI have enabled us to develop additional new highly engaging services. I believe the revenue with the launch of these new services will grow further, to more than €500 per year per participating fan. This will create a substantial new revenue source, significantly impacting the future club budgets."

He's cautious about divulging extensive product details, but he indicates that the offering will encompass diverse digital competitions through which fans could win exclusive access to clubs and players. Virtual reality will also be a pivotal element.

"We aim to ensure that fans in Shanghai or Cape Town can authentically experience the energy of a packed stadium through this novel platform."

While many football executives may shy away from referring to fans as customers, Thomas Zilliacus doesn't share that reservation.

"I view investing in football the same way I view investing in any other business. It must be transformed into a profitable entity. Clubs can't solely rely on owners injecting fresh funds when the cash flow dries up, as eventually the club's resources will deplete. What then? A new owner might emerge, but what if that's not the case? What if the new owner lacks business acumen, and the club is compelled to hand over control to someone they are skeptical about? That wouldn't be an ideal scenario," he emphasizes.

"Hence, fans should recognize that it's genuinely in the best interest of a club to be financially successful. This ensures financial stability, allowing the freedom to consistently make decisions that are in the club's best interest."

“I expect more than just fans' admiration”

Q: How do you persuade fans that their club's profitability is important? They typically prioritize signing top players and achieving victories.

"That's a valid question, and I don't possess an answer that will guarantee unanimous support from all fans as an owner. Initially, I believe you need to acknowledge that there will always be dissenters. However, I'm of the belief that through continuous communication, something I dedicate considerable time to, people will eventually, at the very least, respect you for your openness and honesty. In the long run, I hope they will also endorse and support me and my approach."

He recounts a story about a message he received from a football fan a few months ago who disagreed with his emphasis on club profitability.

"This individual wrote to me asserting that I should consider the only profit I would gain to be the love from the fans," he chuckles, "which is a valid perspective, but I disagree. And certainly, if I'm investing hundreds of millions in a football club, I expect more than just fans' admiration."

He underlines that the balance for him is that he wouldn't take dividends from a club if it required substantial investments in its infrastructure.

"As an owner, ensuring that long-term investments are consistently funded is paramount. But if the club is in a solid state, I don't see an issue with paying dividends. However, in the case of Manchester United, we observed dividends being paid while the stadium clearly needed significant refurbishment. That wasn't a wise move."

He clarifies that he wants fans to be co-owners alongside him.

"I hold the belief that fans are the cornerstone of a football club, and I'm not just saying this like many others might. I genuinely mean it, and I put my best effort into communicating with them. I think fans should be co-owners of the club I hope to acquire in the near future. Providing fans with the opportunity to own a significant stake in the club, have representation at the board level, and participate in various decisions is a clear indication of respecting them. They should never meddle in detailed sporting decisions such as which players should be fielded for a particular game, but they can seamlessly engage in discussions about nearly all other aspects of club operations."

He acknowledges the prevailing consensus that fans should be excluded from wielding real influence, but he holds a contrary view.

"If fans become shareholders, they can effectively partake in overall club decision-making. I'm confident that fans will safeguard their investment while making decisions that benefit the club. It works effectively in other industries, where shareholders are represented by a board that they endorse. If they are discontent, the board is replaced. I'm confident this model can also thrive in football."

Real Madrid have filed a complaint with the Spanish National Court requesting the suspension of the changes to the distribution of broadcast revenues announced by LaLiga earlier this month, Spanish media have reported.

Under the new system, LaLiga clubs that voluntarily give broadcasters more access to players and coaches will earn more in media rights this season.

Real Madrid were reported to be the only club to vote against the changes, and stood out as the only team not collaborating with the new broadcast initiatives over LaLiga’s opening weekend.

If they do not embrace the new approach, Real Madrid would reportedly miss out on around €13 million of income this season. The new system affects the 25 per cent of the ‘audience recognition’ criteria for revenue distribution, which is understood to total around €130 million for the current campaign.

Enhance fans’ viewing experience

LaLiga said the changes are designed to enhance the fans’ viewing experience and ultimately generate more income by encouraging clubs to take more proactive initiatives.

The new system is also intended to encourage clubs to enhance the attraction of LaLiga broadcasts, create a more engaging product and improve access for the upcoming LaLiga Netflix series.

LaLiga agrees deal withVisit Saudi to become global sponsor and official tourist destination

LaLiga and Visit Saudi have announced a global partnership agreement, with the Gulf state’s tourism authority becoming a global sponsor and official tourist destination of the Spanish league.

In a statement, LaLiga said the collaboration will aim to strengthen links between the two countries, including their footballing cultures.

“Today’s partnership agreement demonstrates the strong historical connection between LaLiga and Saudi Arabia – for over 15 years LaLiga games have been followed by millions of football fans across the Kingdom, Saudi football players have played in Spain as well as Spanish players in the Saudi league, and Saudi now has more than six official fan clubs for LaLiga teams,” it said.

“LaLiga is one of the most followed leagues in Saudi Arabia and this collaboration between LaLiga and Visit Saudi will further strengthen this connection and inspire the next generation of Saudi footballers to play for LaLiga teams in the future.”

High-profile launch event

LaLiga said brand activations will include a wide range of activities, including a high-profile launch event, with LaLiga and Visit Saudi jointly showcasing Saudi Arabia’s “exceptional tourism offerings, captivating a diverse audience of local, regional and global visitors.”

The Spanish competition added: “This collaboration aims to ignite a renewed interest in football-driven tourism, enriching the appeal of unmatched travel experiences and fostering a vibrant connection between sports enthusiasts, and both tourism and cultural destinations.”

New $100 million multiclub fund targets controlling stakes in women’s football teams

American-born Greek-Argentine businesswoman Victoire Cogevina Reynal is planning to start buying controlling stakes in women’s football teams through a new multiclub fund which is raising an initial $100 million for its first deals, according to Bloomberg.

The tech entrepreneur’s new company Mercury 13, named after a group of female pilots who weren’t allowed to join NASA’s astronaut programme because of their gender, is said to be targeting professional women’s teams in Europe and Latin America, some of which are owned and managed by their corresponding men’s clubs.

The company is understood to be close to announcing an acquisition in England and is in advanced negotiations for potential deals in Spain and Italy. The move would be one of the first dedicated examples of multiclub ownership outside the men’s game.

Mercury 13, which is backed by investors including European family offices and former professional female and male footballers, is also studying other potential targets in countries including Argentina, Uruguay and Greece.

No investment in American clubs

However, a source said Mercury 13 won’t be investing in US-based teams because they are too expensive and because it sees more growth potential in the women’s game in Europe.

Separately-run women’s clubs are more common in the US, home to the likes of Angel City FC and Washington Spirit. Laura Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, is reportedly pursuing a $35 million-plus takeover of National Women’s Soccer League club Chicago Red Stars.

Cogevina Reynal previously launched Gloria, a football app that was sold to media platform OneFootball last year. Prior to Gloria, she co-founded football agency SR All Stars.

According to reports, there is growing speculation that Saudi Arabian clubs, particularly those controlled by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), are interested in participating in the UEFA Champions League.

While they already have prestigious international competitions like the Arab Cup and the AFC Champions League, it is believed that the Saudi Arabian clubs are eyeing a "wild card" entry into the revamped UEFA Champions League format starting from the 2024/25 season.

This new format would feature a single group of 36 teams, similar to a league, before progressing to the knockout stages. The proposal suggests that the winner of the Saudi Pro League would be granted this wildcard entry, allowing clubs such as Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal to compete against Europe's top clubs.

Global powerhouse

The aim is to enhance their international reputation and gain valuable experience in order to improve their organizational capabilities. This move reflects the ambition of Saudi Arabian football to become a global powerhouse in the sport.

Meanwhile, the president of Serie A, Lorenzo Casini, has called for FIFA to intervene:

"Regarding the large offers from Saudi Arabia, we are in a free market and those with the most resources will naturally try to secure the best talent. However, we must avoid distortions of competition. FIFA is the only organization that can address this issue, perhaps even by implementing reasonable and proportionate salary caps."

 

Ex-Midfielder Deco to oversee FC Barcelona's football department

FC Barcelona have appointed former player Deco as its new sporting director, the club announced Wednesday.

The Portuguese midfielder, who played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2008, has signed a three-year contract and will work alongside coach Xavi to strengthen the squad during the current transfer window.

According to the statement Deco will be responsible for setting the club's sporting philosophy and overseeing the football department. He replaces Mateu Alemany, who will remain with the club until the end of the transfer window in September. FC Barcelona stated that Alemany and Deco will collaborate during this period. The club plans to release further details about its sporting structure in the coming weeks.

Alemamy to Spurs?

At the same time transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Tottenham Hotspur are considering Mateu Alemany as their new Director of Football.

Since Tottenham dismissed Fabio Paratici late last season, the club have been searching for a replacement. Alemany had come close to joining Aston Villa in May but ultimately reversed his decision, opting to continue his tenure at Barcelona instead.

 

Chelsea allegedly disregarding financial rules for quick success, claims ex-Man City advisor

According to former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson, Chelsea are deliberately flouting the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules in order to expedite the club's success.

Borson, who has extensive knowledge of Financial Fair Play, claims that Chelsea's recent extravagant spending spree is part of a strategy orchestrated by Todd Boehly, who overpaid for the club when his consortium purchased it last year.

Borson stated in an interview with talkSPORT, "There's nothing that any of us can say on the outside that they haven't thought about and that's why I posit that this is all part of a strategy. To deliberately ignore the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules in order to accelerate the success of Chelsea.

"That's partly because we all know in the background that Boehly, for all of his business success and wealth, has overpaid for Chelsea by a very considerable amount. It happens. Wealthy people sometimes make mistakes and he's made a mistake in terms of what he paid for the club. He now wants to accelerate the success of the club."

Spent more than all LaLiga clubs

Chelsea's significant spending, which includes the recent £115 million acquisition of Moises Caicedo, has raised questions about how they are able to comply with the league's financial regulations.

The Blues' outlay on new talent is now over £800 million in the three transfer windows since a Todd Boehly-led consortium purchased the club in 2022.

Chelsea have spent more than all clubs in LaLiga combined in that period and have only narrowly been outspent by the 18 clubs in Germany's top-flight.

The Premier League has implemented a new rule in response to Everton's Financial Fair Play (FFP) charges from last season, writes the Daily Mail.

Under Rule E.48, clubs that are projecting losses must provide audited accounts to the Premier League by December 31, rather than the usual March 31 deadline. This change aims to ensure that any disciplinary cases resulting from alleged FFP breaches are resolved before the end of the same season.

Everton have denied any wrongdoing and plans to vigorously defend themselves in an independent commission later this year. However, other clubs have been openly skeptical of their claims of innocence.

Southampton, Leicester, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and Burnley wrote to the Premier League at the end of last season, arguing that they should be entitled to share compensation of up to £300 million if Everton is found guilty of breaching spending rules.

In response to these concerns, the Premier League swiftly introduced this rule change to expedite case resolutions and reduce potential conflicts between clubs.

£372 million losses

Everton managed to avoid FFP charges for the 2021/22 season despite reported losses of £371.8 million over a three-year accounting period, exceeding the Premier League's limit of £105 million. However, they were subsequently charged with a rule breach for the next three-year period in March 2023.

The Premier League's disciplinary hearing is scheduled for October, meaning any points deduction resulting from a guilty verdict would apply to this season.

 

Potential Chelsea investment leads Ares Management to reevaluate Crystal Palace involvement

As Ares Management. evaluates the prospect of investing in Chelsea FC, the global alternative investment firm is contemplating a shift in its existing relationship with Crystal Palace FC.

According to Bloomberg, Ares is considering changes to its involvement with Eagle Football Holdings, which currently owns approximately 40 per cent of Crystal Palace. These potential changes may include stepping back from its board position with Eagle Football, allowing the firm to explore opportunities with rival club Chelsea without violating English Premier League regulations on multiclub ownership

The move comes after reports that Ares is in talks to invest in Chelsea, which could pose a challenge due to Premier League rules on multiple club ownership. These rules aim to prevent conflicts of interest and protect the league's competitive integrity.

Rapidly expanding group

Eagle Football's influence at Crystal Palace is primarily exerted by its founder and majority owner, John Textor. Ares has not made any final decisions regarding its position at Eagle Football.

The deliberations highlight the challenges that investment firms can face when trying to build exposure to football. Eagle Football is one of a rapidly expanding group of multiclub owners that hold stakes in various clubs in different countries. Ares invested in Eagle Football last year when the group acquired Olympique Lyonnais.

 

Brighton CEO surprised by Caicedo's decision to reject Liverpool for Chelsea

Brighton CEO Paul Barber has expressed his surprise at Moises Caicedo rejecting Liverpool for Chelsea.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Barber commented, "Liverpool’s a fantastic football club. For any footballer to have the chance to play at Liverpool, you’d imagine that they’d be running up the M6 but it wasn’t to be."

Liverpool had initially secured a £111 million deal to sign Caicedo, but the midfielder made a U-turn and expressed his desire to join Chelsea instead. The Blues subsequently announced their signing of Caicedo for a fee of £115 million.

Pushed for a transfer to Arsenal

According to Barber, Caicedo and his advisors had always preferred a move to London, as they had previously pushed for a transfer to Arsenal in January. Despite the unexpected change of plans, Barber praised Liverpool for their professionalism throughout the negotiations.

Following the failed Liverpool deal, Brighton quickly shifted their focus to Chelsea in order to protect their interests and secure a transfer fee for Caicedo.

The Premier League is reportedly planning to close the Financial Fair Play (FFP)-related contract loophole that Chelsea has been exploiting, according to the Daily Mail. The league aims to align its accounting rules with UEFA's regulations, which include a five-year limit for spreading transfer fees. Currently, there is no such restriction in the Premier League.

Chelsea's recent signing, Moises Caicedo, will become the 22nd player at the club with a contract longer than five years. His eight-year deal allows the club to spread the £115 million transfer fee over the duration of his contract. However, UEFA's new ruling will not affect Chelsea this season as they did not qualify for European competitions.

The Daily Mail has learned that the anomaly in accounting rules has been raised with the Premier League by several clubs and is set to be discussed at shareholders' meetings this season.

The aim is to introduce a rule change next summer to align with UEFA's regulations. The change would prevent clubs from spreading transfer fees over longer periods and potentially breaching spending limits.

Avoid immediate FFP breaches

Chelsea's use of longer contracts has been influenced by owner Todd Boehly's experience in American sports, where such deals are more common. This strategy allows the club to avoid immediate FFP breaches, as their significant spending last season was offset by the long-term accounting cost of these contracts. Additionally, Chelsea has generated substantial income through player sales this summer.

The new UEFA ruling on transfer fee spreading will only apply to Chelsea signings from next summer onwards. It is expected that the Premier League will have implemented similar regulations by then.

 

Swiss prosecutors to close investigation into former attorney general's meetings with FIFA president

Swiss special prosecutors are set to close their investigation into the former attorney general, Michael Lauber, who had undisclosed meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino during a probe into international football, writes Swiss media.

Lauber lost his job as the top Swiss federal prosecutor due to the fallout from these meetings. The decision to close the investigation was reportedly communicated to Lauber by the special prosecutors.

FIFA stated that the intended dismissal of the case was not surprising, as Infantino had been under suspicion for several years.

Both Lauber and Infantino claimed not to recall the details of their meetings, which were revealed in the Football Leaks series published by Der Spiegel. The investigation into Lauber focused on possible abuse of public office, with Infantino implicated in inciting him.

Infantino to address the matter

Lauber was later found to have misled and obstructed an oversight office, leading to his removal as Switzerland's attorney general in 2020. The first special prosecutor in the case was removed after Infantino complained of bias, and Weder and Maurer took over.

FIFA stated that Infantino would address the matter after the Women's World Cup and once the prosecutors officially communicate their decision.

FC Barcelona have announced a merger deal with a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Mountain & Co. I Acquisition Corp, to list a $1 billion new content creation business, Barca Media, on Nasdaq.

The deal, which is still subject to approval by club members and the SPAC's shareholders, aims to bring in new capital and strengthen the club's presence in the digital and audiovisual sectors.

According to FC Barcelona, the agreement will allow Barca Media to access additional financing through the US capital markets and expand its distribution of content to new audiences globally. The merger is expected to close in the last quarter of this year, pending approval from the US stock market regulator.

Barca Media will combine the digital business of existing brand Barca Vision with all audio-visual content. Existing shareholders of Barca Media will retain an 80% stake in the media business, assuming no redemption of shares by Mountain's shareholders and no further capital raising.

€120 million boost to register players

In addition to the merger, investment funds Libero Football Finance and NIPA Capital have acquired a combined 29.5 per cent stake in Bridgeburg, the holding firm that owns Barca Vision, for €120 million. In a statement Libero, which showcase Peter Kenyon and Fredi Bobic as boardmembers at their site, revealed it had purchased a 9.8 per cent stake for €40 million.

The money was a very important step to get players registered before the season opening in LaLiga.

 

Chelsea FC's owners confident of major reset after calamitous first year

Chelsea FC's US owners, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are confident that a major reset will prevent a repeat of their disastrous first year in charge.

The club suffered its worst season in almost three decades finishing 12th in the league and failing to qualify for European football after spending record amounts on players.

The owners are now focused on making key additions to both the sporting and commercial operations, including talks with potential investors like Ares Management. They also plan to hire more executives to strengthen the club's commercial operations.

Speaking to the Financial Times, Chelsea chair Todd Boehly said: “We feel really good about the sporting side of the house. Morale is high and the culture is good. On the commercial side, we’ve got a lot of new hires. We’re excited about the path ahead.”

Huge loss in 2022

Fresh capital could be used to bolster the club’s finances ahead of a possible stadium redevelopment and a further push into multi-club ownership following the recent purchase of French team RC Strasbourg.

Chelsea made a pre-tax loss of €143 million on revenues of €568 million in the year ended June 2022.

 

Newcastle United CEO: Our objectives unaffected by owners investment in Saudi

According to Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales, the significant investment from Saudi Arabia in domestic football will not hinder Newcastle United's objectives.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns an 80 per cent stake in the club, has made substantial investments in several Saudi Pro League teams, attracting high-profile players with lucrative contracts. Newcastle themselves have benefited from this investment, with Allan Saint-Maximin's move to Al-Ahli reportedly resolving a Financial Fair Play issue.

Eales addressed the disparity between Newcastle's more modest approach and the extravagant spending in Saudi Arabia, stating in an interview with the Independent:

"The reality is they came in and it has been incredible, fighting relegation to finishing 11th, then finishing fourth. We have very shrewd operators in our ownership group. We have got a great skill-set and set of people who have experience in various businesses. They understand it is a long-term plan not short-term."

Long term vision

Despite accusations of sportswashing, PIF's investment in Newcastle has been relatively modest compared to its overall wealth. Eales emphasized that the owners are not frustrated by their inability to spend vast sums in the Premier League, as they have a long-term vision for the club's growth.

Newcastle has made significant signings during the summer transfer window, strengthening their squad under manager Eddie Howe. The club aims to build on last season's top-four finish and return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence.
 

LaLiga files complaint against PSG with European Commission

LaLiga has filed a complaint with the European Commission against Paris Saint-Germain, alleging that the Qatari-backed club is distorting markets through subsidies from the Gulf state.

The complaint specifically targets PSG's "spending commissions" and claims that these practices have allowed the club to sign top players and coaches "well above its potential in a normal market situation."

LaLiga argues that PSG have received foreign subsidies from Qatar, which have improved its competitive position and generated significant distortions in national and EU markets.

A commission regulation on foreign subsidies that came into force last month gives it "the power to investigate financial contributions granted by non-EU countries to companies engaging in an economic activity in the EU and redress, if needed, their distortive effects".

Eliminate market distortions

"LaLiga trusts that the European Commission, thanks to this new regulatory tool, will take the necessary measures to eliminate market distortions such as those described above, which seriously damage the sporting ecosystem."

This move follows LaLiga's previous complaint to UEFA against PSG and Manchester City for alleged violations of financial fair-play regulations. PSG has made high-profile signings in recent years, including Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

 

Sochaux's former president completes takeover, ending Chinese conglomerate's era

Jean-Claude Plessis, the former president of Sochaux, has successfully completed the takeover of the club, marking the end of the era of Chinese conglomerate Nenking and club president Frankie Yau, according to L’Est Républicain.

Plessis, along with his associate Pierre Wantiez, is now focused on presenting a viable budget to the French football financial watchdog, DNCG, in order to secure Sochaux's participation in the French third-tier this season.

The primary objective for Plessis and Wantiez is to obtain approval from the DNCG for their proposed budget, writes the French outlet. If successful, Sochaux would be eligible to compete in National 1 and would request placement in the third-tier.

Bankruptcy looming

However, if the DNCG rejects their budget, it could have dire consequences for the club. The sale agreement between Nenking and the new owners would be voided, potentially leading to bankruptcy proceedings.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has insisted the English top-flight is not facing a threat to its global popularity from the Saudi Pro League following its heavy spending in the transfer market this summer.

In his annual pre-season question-and-answer session with journalists from written publications on Wednesday, Masters said the growth of the Saudi league “was something to keep an eye on” but added: “We are way off worrying about that at the minute.”

He pointed out the FA was formed in 1863 and the Football League in 1888 and said it was very difficult to buy the kind of success that the Premier League has enjoyed.

“If you are creating a football competition that people are interested in watching, part of the answer is the players on the pitch and managers,” he said. “But there’s a whole load of other things that people buy into when supporting a club and sticking with them for life.

“English football has all of the core ingredients –the rich history and tradition … the home and away support, the packed stadiums, fast-paced football – all those things English football is known for are really hard to replicate. They are all part of the package of things that makes it attractive to sponsors, broadcasters and, critically, fans.”

Chelsea under investigation

Masters also confirmed that Chelsea are under investigation by the Premier League after the current owners reported their own club over a number of financial transactions during Roman Abramovich’s era.

The investigation includes the scrutiny of millions of pounds in payments to secret offshore companies, some linked to football intermediaries, and could lead to sanctions including a heavy fine or a points deduction for the West London club.

“We have been pretty open about the historic issues with regard to Chelsea because they self-reported to the Premier League and to the FA so it is obvious we are looking into that,” Masters said. “If the Premier League believes a club has breached the financial regulations and there is a case to answer, that case will be put to the club.”

Saudi Pro League announces global broadcast deals for new season

The Saudi Pro League has confirmed its global broadcast plans for the 2023/24 season after securing a series of deals spanning more than 130 territories.

A source told Bloomberg that the agreements for the new campaign, which starts on Friday, are at rates as much as four times higher than last season’s total revenue from broadcast rights.

According to data from the SportBusiness Media Rights Tracker, the league’s 28 international deals last season generated revenue of about $710,000.

Fox Sports in the US, Canal Plus in France and sub-Saharan Africa, Sport TV in Portugal and a multi-territory agreement with DAZN, reported to be worth about $500,000 a year, are the standout agreements for the new season, which were secured by the agency IMG.

In Europe, deals have also been agreed with La7 (Italy), Marca.com (Spain), Cosmote (Greece), Prima Sports (Romania), Setanta (CIS countries, Baltics and Ukraine), A1 Bulgaria / Max Sport (Bulgaria) and Supersport (Albania and Kosovo).

Three games per matchweek

The inventory on offer to global broadcasters has increased from two games per matchweek last season to three this season. Distribution via mainstream TV and streaming outlets is said to have been important to the Saudi league, following LIV Golf’s struggles with broadcast distribution.

In a statement, Saudi Pro League interim CEO Saad Allazeez said: “These agreements come at a time of genuine growth for Saudi Arabian football, with growing interest in the Roshn Saudi league from football fans all around the world.”
 

Report: Female workers making FIFA World Cup merchandise face systemic harm

Female workers who produce official FIFA merchandise have endured pay below minimum wage, verbal abuse, unpaid overtime and threats of job loss if they fall pregnant, according to a new report by human rights researcher Equidem.

The report features interviews with women workers in factories in Bangladesh that make merchandise for FIFA events – including the Women’s World Cup.

Equidem has criticised FIFA for not taking action over a situation that seems to go against the advances the tournament has been responsible for, and urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to extend “that progress to addressing the harms its women workers experience”.

Distressing testimonies

The report provides distressing testimonies including verbal abuse and the illegal denial of worksite childcare and maternity leave. Equidem also heard several stories of women denied freedom of association.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “FIFA has stringent labour rights requirements for companies producing FIFA-licensed goods and takes any allegation of labour rights abuse in its supply chain very seriously. FIFA is in contact with both Equidem and the respective companies to further investigate the matter.”

Premier League may have to scrap mid-season break due to calendar demands

Premier League CEO Richard Masters has admitted the English top-flight may have to scrap its mid-season break due to the overcrowding of the football calendar.

Speaking with a group of written media ahead of the new season, which starts on Friday, Masters said the expansion of UEFA’s European club competitions in 2024/25 and FIFA’s expanded World Cup in 2026 will make keeping the break more difficult.

The Premier League chief said the mid-season break, which this season will take the form of a structured two-week period in January, “is one of the things we are discussing with the FA and EFL.” The break was agreed with the FA in 2018 and first came in for the 2019/20 season.

“Last season where it’s recognisable”

Masters added: “It is the last season where it’s recognisable under the current international match calendar, where the Premier League starts on a particular weekend, and the FA Cup final has its own weekend and you have the Champions League after that, [and] a mid-season player break in the middle.

“A lot will have to change because of the additional European dates. We are also very much aware of the changes to FIFA’s competitions. There’s lots of dialogue with UEFA, but very little dialogue with FIFA.”

Paris Saint-Germain are moving closer to selling a minority stake in the club to American private equity firm Arctos Partners, according to L’Équipe.

The newspaper has reported that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi met with senior executives from Arctos, who travelled to Paris on Tuesday specifically to discuss the acquisition of a stake which is expected to be between 5 and 15 per cent.

While a number of American investment funds have expressed interest in investing in the French champions in the past, it appears Arctos could be announced as minority shareholders in the next two months.

It is believed that as well as injecting money into the club, Arctos has proposed that it would also boost some commercial aspects of the club and increase PSG's revenue.

Arctos would also wish to work with the club’s owners, Qatar Sports Investments, on a timeshare arrangement and with Qatar on sporting events in the country.

Asian investors

The development comes after Arctos had already shown interest in buying a share of PSG's capital last spring. During the club’s preseason tour of Japan, Al-Khelaïfi also met with Asian investors but he looks set to opt for American investment instead.

 

LaLiga clubs face chaos with 48 of 90 summer transfer deals yet to be registered

LaLiga clubs are facing a potentially chaotic start to the season due to delays in the registration of a number of new signings, according to a report from Marca.

The newspaper understands that only 48 of the 90 transactions carried out during the summer transfer window have been registered so far. As well as new player purchases they include contract renewals, and first-team contracts for youth players.

The situation is said to have come about due to Spanish football’s stringent financial rules which clubs are required to meet in order for new contracts to be approved.

FC Barcelona with only 13 players registered

While Real Madrid’s new signings have all been registered, FC Barcelona currently only have 13 first-team players registered and two of them are about to leave the club – Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié and French winger Ousmane Dembélé.

At present it remains a possibility that no new signings or players on a new contract will be able to make their debut for Barça in their season opener at Getafe on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Villarreal have had several new signings registered, but, as with Barcelona, none of the new arrivals or players with new contracts at Sevilla and Alavés have yet been approved to play.

 

FC Sochaux in last-ditch bid to avoid bankruptcy as former president searches for fresh investment

The former president of FC Sochaux, Jean-Claude Plessis, and his right-hand man Pierre Wantiez are staging a desperate bid to secure the immediate future of the crisis-ridden club, according to French media reports.

Plessis and Wantiez were due to present a budget for the club to play in the third-tier National 1 to the French Football Federation (FFF) on Wednesday. The club were relegated from Ligue 2 after running into financial difficulties.

As reported by L’Équipe, unless the budget for the new season, which starts on Friday, is approved the club faces the prospect of going bankrupt.

Proposed takeover

Romain Peugeot, a private investor and the great-grandson of FC Sochaux’s founder, had previously tried to raise the required funds to save Sochaux to no avail, and had reportedly thrown in the towel over a proposed takeover of the club.

However, Peugeot is now believed to be joining Plessis and Wantiez in their attempts to find the necessary investment to begin the season in the third-tier and they are said to be optimistic.

If a budget is not approved by the FFF, Sochaux would be expected to quickly file for bankruptcy and drop into National 3, or even the sixth-tier Regional 1, in view of the state of the club's accounts. It would also lose ownership of its training facility.

 

Chelsea agree new £40 million-plus shirt sponsorship deal with US company Infinite Athlete

Chelsea have finally agreed a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal with American technology giants Infinite Athlete worth more than £40 million-a-year, The Daily Mail reports.

Both parties had hoped to confirm the deal on Tuesday but were delayed as they awaited a green light from the Premier League. The new sponsor’s brand could be on the Chelsea kit in time for their opening match at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool on Sunday.

Chelsea fans on social media began to speculate about the shirt deal when images were leaked from the club’s pre-season media day, but a source close to the deal told The Daily Mail: “It’s just awaiting Premier League approval.”

The contract has been in the making for months and ends the club's search for a new shirt sponsor following the end of their deal with mobile phone company Three at the end of last season.

Seven-year partnership

The agreement comes after a recent rebrand, which saw the previous name of Tempus Ex Machina shelved in favour of Infinite Athlete. In April, Chelsea unveiled a seven-year partnership with Tempus Ex Machina “to power innovative technology enhancements for the club and our global fanbase.”

Infinite Athlete has plans to become a major player in world football, supplying affordable player data to clubs and allowing fans to watch games from multiple camera angles. The company already has huge sponsorship deals with the NFL and the US Collegiate Pac-12 Conference.

A Premier League investigation into transactions made by Chelsea under Roman Abramovich’s ownership will include the scrutiny of payments of millions of pounds to secretive offshore companies, The Times reports.

The investigation has come after Chelsea’s new owners reported their own club to the FA, Premier League and UEFA over a number of financial transactions from between 2012 and 2019 they uncovered during the takeover process.

Sources with knowledge of the case told The Times that payments to about six offshore companies have been identified, which are believed to have been linked to the transfer of players.

The payments, which run into seven figures, appear not to have been registered as part of the club’s annual financial reporting to the FA, Premier League and UEFA.

Links with Russia

Some of the offshore companies have been traced to football agents and intermediaries, but sources said it has not been possible to establish who is behind other companies. Some of the transactions are believed to have links with Russia.

Payments by Chelsea to the father of the Denmark defender Andreas Christensen, who was signed from Brondby in February 2012, are also expected to be investigated.

Even though any rule breaches would have been under the previous ownership, the club, who were bought by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium for £2.5 billion last May, could face sanctions from the Premier League such as heavy fines and points deductions.

Chelsea have already agreed a €10 million settlement with UEFA to cover Financial Fair Play (FFP) rule breaches. UEFA said the fine was for “instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership”.

Saudi Pro League official: Transfer spending no one-off and part of long-term strategy

A top official at the Saudi Pro League has said the vast sums spent over the last few months on enticing some of the world's top players to the country is no one-off and is part of a long-term strategy to make the league one of the best in the world.

In an interview with Reuters, the league’s chief operating officer Carlo Nohra said that authorities in the country are confident their strategy of going all out to sign the game's biggest names would ensure that fans flocked to stadiums in the new campaign, which starts on Friday.

Nohra said: "What you're seeing is simply the Saudi Pro League doing what other leagues needed to do ... We have joined these ranks, and we're doing whatever it takes to improve quality on the pitch."

He added that the league's strategy would take time to come to full fruition and that the spending was set to continue. "Look, this is definitely a journey,” he said. “This is not just for one weekend. We've set out to achieve this objective to be one of the top 10 leagues in the world.”

DAZN closing in on live rights

Meanwhile, DAZN is reported to be close to acquiring the live broadcast rights for the Saudi Pro League in the UK, Germany and Austria. A source told Bloomberg that the sports streaming company will pay around $500,000 for a one-year deal, and that Greece and Brazil have separately agreed to deals.

Coverage of the Saudi Pro League will begin this week with the start of the season, and the service is expected to show three matches a week, including all those featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.

LaLiga posts €12.1 million profit for 2022/23

LaLiga returned to profitability during the 2022/23 financial year, with a surplus of €12.1 million, according to the LaLiga Group’s consolidated annual accounts, published on Tuesday.

The Spanish league said it closed the year with equity of €59.1 million and saw an increase in its own funds, cash, income from the commercialisation of audiovisual rights and commercial management.

Net turnover amounted to almost €2 billion, up 55.3 per cent on the previous year, with revenues from audiovisual rights income reaching €1.8 billion, €38.8 million higher than in the previous year.

Sponsorship activities generated €150.2 million, up €18.5 million on 2021/22. LaLiga said this increase was due to obtaining new sponsors in new sectors and territories, "thus consolidating the strategy marked years ago, especially in the international arena.”

Commercial activities

The published accounts refer to all the activities of the LaLiga Group and its subsidiaries, which includes the commercial activities of LaLiga's national and international subsidiaries and its different lines of activity, such as LaLiga Business School, LaLiga Academy, the Legends project, the licensing and sponsorship activity and the technological development activity.

Chelsea set to start season without shirt sponsor despite late £40 million offer from adult website

Chelsea risk starting the new season without a shirt sponsor despite ongoing discussions and a late £40 million offer from an adult website, according to The Daily Mail.

The newspaper understands that the West London club, who begin their Premier League campaign at home to Liverpool on Sunday, have spoken to several firms over a potential sponsorship agreement, but are unlikely to agree a deal before the opening game.

It comes despite Chelsea receiving an offer from adult subscription platform My.Club to become their new sponsor.

As reported by The Mirror, My.Club vice president Mike Ford said: “We here at My.Club want to sponsor Chelsea as they look to improve on last season's disappointment. We want to have the My.Club logo emblazoned on the front of Chelsea's jerseys before the club kicks off its 2023 season against Liverpool.”

12th-placed finish

Chelsea had hoped to find a sponsorship deal that was worth more than their previous £40 million-per-year deal with Three, but last season’s 12th-placed finish and failure to qualify for the Champions League has made that a much more difficult task.

The club’s CEO Chris Jurasek is in charge of landing a new sponsor and according to The Daily Telegraph refuses to compromise on the quality of the deal, as he feels it could set an “unwanted benchmark” for future negotiations.

Chelsea had a potential agreement with Paramount blocked by the Premier League over fears it would upset the league’s broadcast partners, and then withdrew from negotiations with gambling firm Stake over a deal worth around £40 million a year amid a backlash from fans groups.