Former Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli has been granted a plea bargain deal by a judge in Rome, opening up a potential return to football.

As part of the plea bargain, the 49-year-old has received a 20-month suspended sentence, following an investigation into allegations that the Italian club had received illegal commissions from player transfers and loans, which began in 2021.

Meanwhile, Juventus’ former vice president Pavel Nedved and sporting director Fabio Paratici received suspended sentences of 14 months and 18 months respectively.

Club receives fine

The club’s former CEO however, Maurizio Arrivabene was cleared of any wrongdoing in the case, which promoted the resignation of Agnelli alongside Juventus’ entire board in November 2022.

As confirmed by the club, Juventus have been given a fine of €156,000, and have reached a settlement with investors worth more than €1 million.

Inter Milan CEO calls for demolition and reconstruction of San Siro

Inter Milan president and CEO, Giuseppe Marotta, has called for the demolition of the “run down” San Siro to make way for a new modern stadium in an interview on Italian radio.

Last week, Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala revealed that an agreement had been reached for the sale of the San Siro cite to AC Milan and Inter Milan, which is subject to final approval from Milan’s City Council.

Speaking to Radio Anch’io Sport on Radio 1, Marotta said: “Milan is one of the most attractive cities in Europe, but it risks being sidelined in the European football landscape".

Marotta described the San Siro in its current state as “old, run down, and constantly in need of repairs,” and likened its redevelopment to that of England’s Wembley Stadium. “Just as Wembley was demolished to make way for a new Wembley, the same must happen here,” he said.

The 68-year-old added that a rebuild of the iconic venue would help bring in more revenue for both Milan clubs, with whom they share the 75,817-seat stadium. “At best, Inter and Milan have earned around €80 million each per season from San Siro, while other top clubs bring in as much as €300 million,” he said.

Could leave Milan

According to the Inter CEO, the Serie A club will contemplate options for a stadium outside of Milan if the proposed agreement falls through.

He revealed: “Our plan is to build in Milan, but if obstacles remain, we will have to consider other sites outside the city.”

Mexican Football Federation seeking to re-enter Apollo investment talks

The Mexican Football Federation (FMF) is looking to revive talks over a potential investment deal with Apollo Global Management, according to the Financial Times.

Last December, a proposed $1.3 billion deal with the US asset management firm fell through, after Mexican clubs failed to agree unanimously on a potential investment.

Under the previous proposal, Apollo would have formed a new entity worth $13 billion, which would oversee Liga MX’s broadcast, sponsorship, and other commercial rights.

Growing popularity of Mexican football

Currently, Mexican clubs have to negotiate their broadcast deals separately, with the federation seeking reforms to its existing governance and media rights infrastructure.

According to FMF president Mikel Arriola, the Liga MX has an estimated 160 million fans across Mexico and the US, with this set to increase next year when the country co-hosts the men’s FIFA World Cup.

LFP obtains right to order delisting of sites broadcasting matches illegally

France’s LFP has obtained the right to take preventative action against search engines Google and Bing at the Paris Judicial Court.

This comes as part of a clampdown against piracy, with the LFP now able to take action against the illegal broadcasting of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches.

The organisation will have the authority to order the delisting of any streaming sites or IPTV services showing fixtures without permission.

Strengthens LFP’s anti-piracy strategy

In a statement, LFP said: ‘LFP and LFP Media welcome the court's recognition of the LFP's right to obtain, for the first time in France, a preventive injunction against these players.’

‘These dereferencing measures complement the blocking measures ordered as part of the decisions obtained last July against Internet service providers and alternative DNS services. All of these measures, coupled with an attractive offer to view Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches, contribute to the effectiveness of the anti-piracy strategy.’

FIFA has announced that it will allocate a record $355 million to clubs worldwide through its Club Benefits Programme (CBP), in connection with the 2026 World Cup.

This figure represents a substantial increase of nearly 70 per cent from the $209 million after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

For the first time, clubs that release players for World Cup qualifiers will also receive compensation, not just for the finals. This change is part of a broader effort to create a fairer system for global club football, as outlined in a renewed memorandum of understanding signed between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA).

Infantino and Al-Khelaifi praise the initiative

FIFA President Gianni Infantino highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating, "The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament."

ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised the program as "innovative" and acknowledged that "clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football" and that "this initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games."

Burnley’s £50 million compensation battle with Everton begins this week

Burnley FC have initiated a legal case against Everton FC, seeking £50 million in compensation over claims that Everton breached the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

The case is set to begin this week, with Burnley alleging that Everton's financial misconduct, which led to a points deduction, should have resulted in a penalty at the time of the breach.

Everton was initially docked 10 points, later reduced to six on appeal, for exceeding PSR limits over a three-year period ending in the 2021/22 season. Burnley contends that if Everton had been penalised when the breach occurred, they would not have been relegated.

Behind close doors

The proceedings are taking place behind closed doors at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in St Paul’s, London, meaning the outcome may remain confidential. There is currently no set timeline for a verdict.

Burnley finished the 2021-22 season in 18th place with 35 points, while Everton ended in 16th place with 39 points. Burnley argue that their relegation to the Championship has resulted in a loss of £50 million in revenue, for which they are now seeking compensation from Everton.

Manel del Río appointed as new general manager of FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona have appointed Manel del Río as the club's new general manager, a move that sees an internal promotion for an executive who joined the club in 2022.

Initially brought on board as chief financial officer, del Río later took on the role of corporate director and has now ascended to a position where he will report directly to President Joan Laporta.

According to Mundo Deportivo, del Río's rise within FC Barcelona's ranks places him second in the club's organizational hierarchy. His previous experience includes a stint at Royal Talens, an international company in the paint sector, and work with Pensions & Investment Research Consultants (PIRC).

Vacant since 2022

The general manager role at Barça had been vacant since the departure of Ferran Reverter in February 2022, who left the position just eight months after his appointment.

Alongside del Río's promotion, FC Barcelona is also implementing immediate organisational changes within its management structure.

San Siro sale to AC Milan and Inter Milan agreed upon, says Milan Mayor

According to Giuseppe Sala, the Mayor of Milan, an agreement has been reached for the sale of the San Siro area to the city's two major football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. The final decision on the sale, however, is contingent upon approval from the City Council.

"Everything is fine. On Wednesday, we should go to the council with the resolution for the sale of San Siro because, in fact, we have reached an agreement with the clubs," Sala said in an interview with RTL 102.5.

The urgency for a new stadium comes as UEFA has indicated that Milan will not be considered for hosting duties at the 2032 European Championship if the current San Siro stadium remains unchanged.

Will vote in favour

Sala outlined that there will be a formal resolution and a proposal on the project presented to the City Council. Given the significance of this asset transfer, it will undergo thorough discussion within committees before a final decision is made.

"I will bring the resolution to the council and support its approval. I will vote in favour, and then it will be up to the City Council to decide," Sala affirmed. He expects all proceedings regarding this matter to conclude by the end of the month.

FC Barcelona stuck at 6,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Stadium as Camp Nou renovations drag on

FC Barcelona will play their second La Liga home game of the season at the 6,000-seat Estadi Johan Cruyff due to ongoing delays with the Camp Nou renovations, as confirmed by the club.

Barcelona's match against Getafe on Sunday follows their previous home victory over Valencia at the same venue, typically used by their reserve and women's teams.

The club have not provided a timeline for when they will return to the Camp Nou but are working to secure the necessary administrative permits. Season ticket holders from the past two seasons who missed the Valencia game are being prioritized for tickets to the upcoming Getafe match.

Uncertainty over Champions League

Barcelona have been playing away from their iconic stadium since June 2023 due to the €1.5 billion refurbishment project. They had hoped to open Camp Nou with a reduced capacity for their first home match of this season, but this plan did not come to fruition.

Barcelona's first home Champions League game is scheduled for October 1 against Paris Saint-Germain, and it remains uncertain if Camp Nou will be ready by then.

The Football Association (FA) has charged Chelsea with 74 breaches of its football agents regulations during former owner Roman Abramovich’s tenure at the club.

These alleged breaches took place between 2009 and 2022, and relate to secret payments made to agents. This includes the transfers of Eden Hazard, Willian, and Samuel Eto’o, according to The Times.

Following the club’s takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, Chelsea’s new ownership self reported the payments that they had discovered to the FA, which subsequently launched an investigation.

Potential penalties could include transfer embargoes or point deductions, however the Premier League side are believed to be confident that they will avoid any sporting sanctions, as the club flagged the payments to the FA themselves.

'Unprecedented transparency'

In a statement, the club said: ‘During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase [of the club], the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules.

‘Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the Club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.

‘The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the Club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible.’
 

UEFA to conduct consultation on proposals for international league matches

UEFA says it will conduct a “round of consultation” to discuss proposals for LaLiga and Serie A to stage domestic league matches internationally.

This follows the request of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to hold fixtures in the US and Australia respectively.

In a statement following UEFA’s Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, Albania on Thursday, the organisation said: “There are many issues to resolve and as the European governing body, UEFA has a responsibility to take all such factors into account.

“As a result, no decision was taken today but UEFA will undertake a round of consultation with all stakeholders in European football - including fans.”

Supporter groups “welcome” consultation

In response to UEFA’s delayed decision, fan network Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said they “welcome” UEFA’s commitment to a consultation.

“Today’s announcement reflects their dedication to preserving the integrity of European football,” said FSE.

“The specific mention for fans to be involved in this engagement demonstrates that UEFA has recognised the strong opposition expressed by millions of supporters across the continent, as well as those of the many other stakeholders who have spoken out against these plans."
 

EFL consider adding eliminator round to Championship playoffs

The English Football League (EFL) is considering introducing an eliminator round to the Championship playoffs, according to The Athletic.

The proposal, which was put forward by Preston North End CEO Peter Ridsdale, would see the league adopt a similar format to that of England’s fifth tier, the National League.

The National League’s format pits teams that finish fifth and eighth against each other, as well as the clubs that finish sixth and seventh in a single matchup.

Unlike the National League however, the winners from both fixtures would subsequently progress to two-legged ties against teams that had finished third and fourth, with the eventual winners meeting each other at Wembley.

Prospects for League One & League Two

Ridsdale’s plans received approval from numerous Championship clubs, however discussions remain at an early stage.

The EFL is also weighing up the prospect of eliminator rounds in League One and League Two, however this would not happen until the organisation agrees to a distribution deal with the Premier League.
 

15 MPs support new bill to prohibit multi-club ownership involving French clubs

A new bill is set to be presented to the French National Assembly next week, which would prohibit multi-club ownership involving any French teams, according to L’Équipe.

The new bill, which is being put forward by MP Eric Coquerel, already has 15 signatories across multiple parties, and is intended to fight the excesses of multi-club ownership in the professional football sector.

The proposal would aim to safeguard “equal opportunity” and “sporting uncertainty." This would build on the existing ban on shareholders holding stakes within two separate French teams.

Further powers to DNCG

If shareholders failed to comply with the proposed bill, they would be fined the equivalent of two per cent of their turnover, and would face a ban from all FFF competitions.

If approved, the bill would also grant further powers to the DNCG, which would have the right to veto potential takeovers or investments.

Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement over their latest lawsuit regarding the English top flight’s Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules.

In February, the club won their first case against the league at an arbitration tribunal which ruled that its APT regulations were ‘void and unenforceable’.

City subsequently filed a second case weeks later, claiming that other clubs have benefited from an unfair competitive advantage due to shareholder loans from their ownership. Under the Premier League’s APT rules, any partnerships with companies linked to clubs’ owners must be at fair market value.

Prior to the settlement, a two-week hearing was set to take place in October.

Current rules are valid

In a joint statement City and the Premier League said: ‘This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding.

‘It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter.’

Spurs declare club is ‘not for sale’ amid takeover interest

In a statement, Tottenham Hotspur have insisted that the club is ‘not for sale’, after confirming that it had 'received, and unequivocally rejected’ approaches from parties interested in a takeover.

As reported by The Times, former Newcastle United director Amanda Staveley is leading one of the consortiums that had expressed initial interest in Spurs, through her company PCP International Finance Limited.

The 52-year-old joined Newcastle United in 2021, after the club’s Saudi-led takeover, and held a 10 per cent stake in the team alongside her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, before they both departed in July 2024.
PCP is reportedly representing a group comprising ten investors from Asia, Europe, and North America.

Another consortium led by Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng, which includes Chinese and American investment, also expressed interest in buying the Premier League club, following last week’s announcement that chairman Daniel Levy would be stepping down after a 24-year tenure.

No intention to sell

PCP will continue to monitor Spurs’ situation, before making any decision on potential further approaches next year.

The club’s board said: ‘The board of the club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC has no intention to accept any such offer to acquire its interest in the club.’

Marseille and RC Lens owners blast LFP as a failure

Olympique Marseille owner Frank McCourt and RC Lens owner Joseph Oughourlian have criticised France’s LFP in an interview with Le Figaro.

Ahead of the Ligue 1 general meeting, US businessman McCourt told the French newspaper: “The LFP no longer represents the clubs, and the results generally attest to this: it's a failure.”

Ourghourlian shared McCourt’s sentiment that the LFP has “failed”, adding: "We were promised nearly a billion euros in September 2023 for all TV rights, and we got around 700 million, including international rights.”

The Lens owner also described the now-terminated DAZN broadcast rights partnership as a “fiasco”, and expressed uncertainty over how much revenue clubs will receive from the LFP’s newly launched in-house OTT platform Ligue 1+.

Questions LFP president

Both owners also criticised LFP president Vincent Labrune.

“What company would accept such results while maintaining the same management? How can we hope to attract the best talent and retain our best players if we don't have the resources available to other leagues,” said McCourt.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced the departure of executive chairman Daniel Levy with mediate effect.

The 63-year-old leaves Spurs after almost 25 years, having first joined the Premier League club in 2001.

In Levy’s stead, Peter Charrington will become Spurs’ non-executive chairman, in a newly created role. This follows the appointment of Vinai Venkatesham as the team’s CEO earlier this year.

In a statement, Spurs said that this move comes as part of the club’s ambition to deliver ‘long-term sporting success’.

“incredibly proud”

“I am incredibly proud of the work I have done together with the executive team and all our employees,” Levy said.

“We have built this club into a global heavyweight competing at the highest level. More than that, we have built a community.

“I wish to thank all the fans that have supported me over the years. It hasn’t always been an easy journey but significant progress has been made. I will continue to support this club passionately.”

Newcastle appoint David Hopkinson as new CEO

Newcastle United have hired David Hopkinson as the club’s new CEO, replacing Darren Eales, the club have announced.

Hopkinson, who joins the club today, will undertake a handover process with Newcastle’s outgoing CEO Darren Eales, who is stepping down from his position due to health reasons.

Last September, Eales revealed that he had been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, which would require treatment, followed by a period of rest.

The newly appointed CEO has 25 years of industry experience, most recently serving as president and chief operating officer at Madison Square Garden Sports, the owner of the NBA’s New York Knicks, and the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Among “world’s elite clubs”

“I am incredibly honoured to join Newcastle United at such an exciting time in the club's history,” Hopkinson said.

“I greatly admire what has been achieved by the club so far, and I am excited and motivated by what is ahead as we strive to position Newcastle United among the world's elite clubs.”
 

New owners' test announced by Independent Football Regulator

The Independent Football Regulator (IFR), has announced a new owners' test aimed at preventing "rogue" individuals from acquiring and managing football clubs in England. This follows the Members of Parliament's decision to support a Football Governance Bill earlier this year, which called for an independent regulator for the top five divisions of men's football in England.

The new test will assess prospective buyers' "honesty, integrity and financial soundness" and require proof of the "necessary skills and experience" to run a club. Notably, the IFR's test will also apply to current club owners, not just new buyers, allowing the regulator to hold clubs and individuals to account with measures such as financial penalties, public censure, or mandating an owner to sell their stake.

The existing owners' and directors' test, operates separately from the IFR's proposed test. The IFR stated that effective club owners would face minimal impact from the new regulations but emphasised its capacity to act against unsuitable incumbents.

Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe

Public consultations on these proposals are open until October 6th, with the IFR set to publish responses later in the year and aims to become operational shortly thereafter.

The announcement comes amidst financial crises at clubs like Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe, where ownership issues have led to severe financial distress and operational challenges. Despite offers for Sheffield Wednesday, owner Dejphon Chansiri has refused to sell, while Morecambe faced near closure in July before a takeover by Panjab Warriors after being suspended by the National League.

beIN Sports demands €29 million from LFP Media over Ligue 1 deal

beIN Sports is demanding €29 million from LFP Media, in the latest development of the Qatari broadcaster’s ongoing dispute over its Ligue 1 media rights partnership.

As reported by L’Équipe earlier this week, the two parties remain at odds over the reported €78.5 million a year agreement for rights to the French top flight's Saturday evening fixture.

In July, the network submitted a formal complaint to LFP Media, citing carious restrictions within the contract, with beIN prohibited from showing the same team in successive weeks, or more than eight times per season.

Last month, beIN Sports withheld €4 million from its €18 million payment due to LFP Media, and initiated legal proceedings against the organisation.

LFP files countersuit

Meanwhile, LFP Media has filed a countersuit against beIN Sports due to the underpayment.

A hearing on the matter is set to be held at the Paris Economic Court on 25th November.

Mexican club's promotion and relegation appeal dismissed by CAS

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), has dismissed an appeal by six second division Mexican clubs seeking the immediate reinstatement of promotion and relegation (pro/rel), which had been paused by the Mexican Football Federation (FMF).

According to the CAS statement, the FMF had made it clear when the decision was taken that the suspension would last until the end of the 2025-2026 season. The initial lawsuit, filed in May by 10 Liga Expansión clubs, was in response to concerns that FMF and Liga MX officials had not formally committed to reinstating pro/rel after a six-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Specifically, the Panel found that the sporting seasons impacted by the agreement at the FMF General Assembly on 24 April 2020 to suspend promotion and relegation correspond to those in the FMF decision on 29 April 2025, the last one being the 2025-2026 season. Consequently, the appeal is dismissed," read part of Thursday's CAS statement.

Not considered until 2026/27

This ruling means that pro/rel will not be considered again until at least the 2026/27 season. Meanwhile, FMF and Liga MX are working on establishing new guidelines for Liga Expansión clubs to qualify for first division football, emphasizing financial stability and infrastructure improvements.

The case underscores ongoing efforts by lower division clubs to remain integrated within Mexico's football structure amidst financial challenges that pro/rel poses for leagues and clubs globally.

US private equity firm Apollo Global Management is set to launch a €4.3 billion sports investment fund, the Financial Times has reported.

The New York-based company, which currently has more than €683 billion in assets under its management, is looking to expand its involvement in sport.

Apollo is looking to make new appointments to lead the company’s strategy, as it prepares to both lend to football clubs and take ownership stakes in them.

Growing activity in football

In July, Apollo held talks with Atletico Madrid over a potential investment that would value the Spanish club at between €2.5 billion and €3 billion.

Last year, the firm also provided a €92.4 million loan for Premier League side Nottingham Forest.
 

Nottingham Forest win legal battle against FA

Nottingham Forest have won their legal battle against the English Football Association (FA), forcing the chair of an appeal panel to step down due to “apparent bias” against the club, as reported by The Times.

Following a 2-0 defeat to Everton in April 2024, Forest faced disciplinary proceedings after posting a statement on X which claimed they had warned referee chiefs prior to the match about the match’s VAR, Stuart Attwell, as he was a supporter of Luton Town, who were also involved in a relegation battle at the time.

Graeme McPherson KC, who was appointed as the chair of the disciplinary panel, rejected the club’s arguments against the fine from the FA, which he labeled as a “somewhat hysterical submission”.

Forest were subsequently handed a £750,000 fine for the post on X. However, lawyers have now found that McPherson’s comment could be received as “unjustified, inappropriate, and personal attack on the club."

Last October, after Forest received a £125,000 fine from the FA for their role in a confrontation with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, McPherson was appointed as the chair of the disciplinary panel, with the club challenging this due to his previous remarks.

FA lose tribunal on McPherson appointment

On 31st July, a Rule K hearing was held at London’s International Dispute Resolution Centre, after Forest sought an arbitration hearing.

It was determined that McPherson’s comments were “inappropriate”, with the panel ruling that there had been “apparent bias”. The FA will now have to front the legal costs of the tribunal, which total £105,750 plus VAT
 

FC Barcelona sign €12 million a year sleeve deal with Midea

FC Barcelona have inked a five-year partnership that will designate Midea as the club’s sleeve sponsor from the start of the 2026/27 season, the club have announced.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer will pay the LaLiga champions €12 million annually, or €60 million over the duration of the agreement.

Midea will replace Ambilight on FC Barcelona kits from the next campaign, adding to its existing deals with Manchester City and New York City FC. The company also has an ambassador partnership with Manchester City and Norway star Erling Haaland.

"The power of the Barça brand"

Rafael Yuste, vice president at FC Barcelona, said: “It will be an honour for FC Barcelona to incorporate Midea into the great Barça family starting in the 2026/27 season. Their leadership in smart home solutions and their commitment to research and innovation align perfectly with the spirit of a FC Barcelona that's looking to the future.

“This partnership demonstrates, once again, the power of the Barça brand as a magnet for companies from around the world who see FC Barcelona as the best platform for their projects.”
 

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Fabio Paratici for him to resume an official role as Sporting Director, with the Italian expected to be in place no later than 1 October, according to talkSPORT.

The 53-year-old stepped down in April 2023 after FIFA extended his 30-month ban from Italian football to a worldwide suspension. The sanction followed Juventus, his former club, being found guilty of false accounting – a case which led to multiple executives receiving bans and the Serie A side suffering a 15-point deduction.

FIFA later reduced Paratici’s suspension, allowing him to return to work earlier than anticipated. Over the summer, he has already been operating as a consultant at Spurs, maintaining close contact with chairman Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, and technical director Johan Lange.

Recruitment back under Paratici’s control

Paratici will now formally return as Sporting Director, once again taking charge of recruitment. During his first spell at the club between 2021 and 2023, he oversaw the signings of Cristian Romero – now club captain – along with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Earlier this year, Paratici was also linked with AC Milan’s sporting director vacancy, holding several meetings before the club appointed Igli Tare instead.

Brazilian forward Ribeiro terminates contract, looks to capitalise on Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA

Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has terminated his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, and is taking his legal case against the South African club to the FIFA Football Tribunal, according to a report from BBC Sport.

The 26-year-old is being represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who says that although the Sundowns received an offer “well above the player’s valuation” from Qatar SC, the club prevented a transfer from materialising after repeatedly asking the Qatari side to increase the fee.

Last week, former France footballer Lassana Diarra revealed he was seeking £56 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after winning his case against football’s global governing body last October, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s rules were in breach of EU laws.

Ribeiro’s case bolstered by Diarra’s victory

Following the outcome of the Diarra case, FIFA amended its transfer regulations in December, with Ribeiro hoping to capitalise on this, following his collapsed move to Qatar.

He said in a statement: “Following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind.

“Indeed, following its own regulations, FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.”

Chelsea and Liverpool at odds over Rio Ngumoha compensation

Chelsea and Liverpool have yet to agree on compensation for Rio Ngumoha, who signed for the Premier League champions in July 2024, The Telegraph has reported.

Later this week, the 16-year-old will be eligible to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 on Friday.

Earlier this week, Ngumoha made his debut for Liverpool, scoring the winning goal in the club’s 3-2 win against Newcastle United.

Chelsea want deal to act as a ‘deterrent’

The two clubs remain at odds regarding a fee, with no agreement reached since his move to Anfield from Chelsea’s academy last summer.

Chelsea are holding out for a higher fee, in order to deter clubs from targeting their academy players in the future.

Orlegi Sports to invest €11 million into Sporting Gijon to help promotion push

Orlegi Sports is set to invest €11 million into Spanish club Sporting Gijon through a participating loan, as reported by 2Playbook.

The loan is set to be approved during an extraordinary general meeting on 26th September.

The fresh funding is intended to help bolster Gijon’s playing squad, as the club eyes a return to LaLiga.

Gijon’s owners

In 2022, the Mexican group acquired a 73 per cent majority stake in the Spanish club, which joined its roster of football teams that includes Brazilian club Santos Laguna.

The new investment into Gijon comes after Orlegi Sports put Mexican side Atlas FC up for sale last month, due to Liga MX’s clampdown on multi-club ownership.

FC Köln not seeking legal action against FIFA after all

German club FC Köln will not seek legal action or compensation from FIFA, as reported by Kicker.

In 2023, the Bundesliga club received a two-window transfer ban from FIFA, which was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

This came after Köln were found guilty of encouraging youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik to breach his contract in order to sign for them, with the club unable to register new players for the duration of 2024 in light of the ban.

Considered legal case

The transfer embargo was lifted early following a new ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) last December, two months after Lassana Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA prompted changes to the organisation’s transfer regulations.

Köln did consider taking legal action, but ultimately decided against it, as chances of a legal victory appeared unlikely.

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Fabio Paratici for him to resume an official role as Sporting Director, with the Italian expected to be in place no later than 1 October, according to talkSPORT.

The 53-year-old stepped down in April 2023 after FIFA extended his 30-month ban from Italian football to a worldwide suspension. The sanction followed Juventus, his former club, being found guilty of false accounting – a case which led to multiple executives receiving bans and the Serie A side suffering a 15-point deduction.

FIFA later reduced Paratici’s suspension, allowing him to return to work earlier than anticipated. Over the summer, he has already been operating as a consultant at Spurs, maintaining close contact with chairman Daniel Levy, CEO Vinai Venkatesham, and technical director Johan Lange.

Recruitment back under Paratici’s control

Paratici will now formally return as Sporting Director, once again taking charge of recruitment. During his first spell at the club between 2021 and 2023, he oversaw the signings of Cristian Romero – now club captain – along with Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur and Destiny Udogie.

Earlier this year, Paratici was also linked with AC Milan’s sporting director vacancy, holding several meetings before the club appointed Igli Tare instead.

Brazilian forward Ribeiro terminates contract, looks to capitalise on Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA

Brazilian forward Lucas Ribeiro Costa has terminated his contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, and is taking his legal case against the South African club to the FIFA Football Tribunal, according to a report from BBC Sport.

The 26-year-old is being represented by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who says that although the Sundowns received an offer “well above the player’s valuation” from Qatar SC, the club prevented a transfer from materialising after repeatedly asking the Qatari side to increase the fee.

Last week, former France footballer Lassana Diarra revealed he was seeking £56 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after winning his case against football’s global governing body last October, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s rules were in breach of EU laws.

Ribeiro’s case bolstered by Diarra’s victory

Following the outcome of the Diarra case, FIFA amended its transfer regulations in December, with Ribeiro hoping to capitalise on this, following his collapsed move to Qatar.

He said in a statement: “Following the Diarra ruling by the CJEU, there is no doubt that the dispute between me and my former club will not prevent me from continuing my career with peace of mind.

“Indeed, following its own regulations, FIFA will see to it that the international transfer certificate be immediately delivered upon request by my future employer.”

Chelsea and Liverpool at odds over Rio Ngumoha compensation

Chelsea and Liverpool have yet to agree on compensation for Rio Ngumoha, who signed for the Premier League champions in July 2024, The Telegraph has reported.

Later this week, the 16-year-old will be eligible to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 on Friday.

Earlier this week, Ngumoha made his debut for Liverpool, scoring the winning goal in the club’s 3-2 win against Newcastle United.

Chelsea want deal to act as a ‘deterrent’

The two clubs remain at odds regarding a fee, with no agreement reached since his move to Anfield from Chelsea’s academy last summer.

Chelsea are holding out for a higher fee, in order to deter clubs from targeting their academy players in the future.

Orlegi Sports to invest €11 million into Sporting Gijon to help promotion push

Orlegi Sports is set to invest €11 million into Spanish club Sporting Gijon through a participating loan, as reported by 2Playbook.

The loan is set to be approved during an extraordinary general meeting on 26th September.

The fresh funding is intended to help bolster Gijon’s playing squad, as the club eyes a return to LaLiga.

Gijon’s owners

In 2022, the Mexican group acquired a 73 per cent majority stake in the Spanish club, which joined its roster of football teams that includes Brazilian club Santos Laguna.

The new investment into Gijon comes after Orlegi Sports put Mexican side Atlas FC up for sale last month, due to Liga MX’s clampdown on multi-club ownership.

FC Köln not seeking legal action against FIFA after all

German club FC Köln will not seek legal action or compensation from FIFA, as reported by Kicker.

In 2023, the Bundesliga club received a two-window transfer ban from FIFA, which was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

This came after Köln were found guilty of encouraging youth player Jaka Cuber Potocnik to breach his contract in order to sign for them, with the club unable to register new players for the duration of 2024 in light of the ban.

Considered legal case

The transfer embargo was lifted early following a new ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) last December, two months after Lassana Diarra’s legal victory against FIFA prompted changes to the organisation’s transfer regulations.

Köln did consider taking legal action, but ultimately decided against it, as chances of a legal victory appeared unlikely.

The Premier League’s transfer spending has reached a record £2.37 billion for this summer’s window, following Leeds United’s signing of Noah Okafor from AC Milan.

This eclipses the previous record of £2.36 billion, which was set in 2023, with ten days yet to come until the end of the window.

Several Premier League teams have broken their club transfer records this summer, including Brentford, Burnley, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, and Liverpool.

Wirtz transfer could set new record

The transfer of German international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool could set a new Premier League transfer record, if add-ons are met.

As reported by BBC Sport, the deal included £100 million, plus a further £16 million in add-ons, which if realised would take the fee beyond the current record of £107 million, when Enzo Fernandez signed for Chelsea in 2023.

LFP Media dismisses reports of Canal+ distribution deal, threatens legal action

LFP Media has dismissed reports of a distribution agreement for the new Ligue 1+ channel with Canal+, and are threatening the broadcaster with legal action, as reported by L’Équipe.

Earlier this week, L’Équipe claimed that a proposed deal between the two parties had fallen through, with the network refusing to back down from a longstanding legal dispute, in which it is seeking €600 million in compensation from LFP.

In a letter addressed to Canal+ president Maxime Saada, LFP Media’s head of legal affairs, Douglas Lowenstein refuted the notion that any such deal was ever in place.

This comes after last week’s successful launch of the new over-the-top (OTT) platform, which garnered more than 600,000 subscriptions during the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season.

‘Distortions of the reality of the facts’

In response to recent reports, Lowenstein cited ‘a large number of errors, inaccuracies, and distortions of the reality of the facts, of our exchanges, and of the course of the discussions that took place’.

The letter also threatens Canal+ with legal action if the broadcaster continues to suggest that a distribution agreement for Ligue 1+ ever existed.

FC Barcelona have acknowledged deficiencies within the Camp Nou, ahead of their return to the iconic venue for their home clash against Valencia on 14th September, according to Catalan radio station RAC1.

There are concerns regarding the iconic stadiums main stand and south goal, which are set to hold 27,000 spectators when the venue reopens.

The LaLiga champions are renegotiating with the Barcelona City Council over a new date for a final completion certificate, which is not expected to be finalised this week.

The Camp Nou’s €1.5 billion redevelopment began in June 2023, with a phased return initially slated for November 2024, however this has since been subject to delays.

Considering Olympic Stadium

In case the necessary permits are not processed in time, Barcelona have been in talks with Barcelona Serveis Municipals over staging their 14th September fixture at the Olympic Stadium, where the team have played for the past two seasons during the Camp Nou’s renovation.

However, this could probe problematic, with the 55,926-seat stadium set to host a concert just two days prior on 12th September.

Valencia secure capital from Japanese bank in €322 million stadium financing deal

Valencia CF have secured funding from the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (MUFG) for the construction of the club’s new stadium, as reported by Spanish publication Expansion.

In June, the club announced that it had secured €322 million in financing for the Nou Mestalla, which is set to be complete in 2027.

That figure reportedly comprises 28-year bonds worth €237 million, as well as a five-year €85 million loan.

First private Japanese investment

In the documents submitted by Valencia to Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), MUFG Bank was listed as a creditor alongside Goldman Sachs. This marks the first investment of private Japanese capital into a LaLiga club.

The debt structure has a fixed rate of 5.82 per cent, with a final maturity date of 28th May 2075.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS counter sues Spurs for £1 million

Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned petrochemicals firm INEOS is counter suing Tottenham Hotspur for more than £1 million, The Telegraph has reported.

In 2022, INEOS signed a five-year, reported £17.5 million partnership that designated the INEOS Grenadier as the Premier League club’s official 4x4 vehicle partner.

That deal was terminated in March, after the company failed to pay a £5 million instalment due on 1st December 2024.

Three months later, Spurs initiated legal action against INEOS, seeking £11 million in damages.

INEOS’ case against Spurs

According to legal papers filed with the UK’s High Court last week, INEOS is claiming that Spurs started negotiating with a ‘major competitor’, Audi, around the time of Harry Kane’s transfer to Bayern Munich in August 2023.

Although no such partnership between Spurs and Audi came to fruition, INEOS are alleging that the club breached their contract, meaning the company had grounds to terminate the deal after three years.

Former France midfielder Lassana Diarra is seeking €65 million from FIFA and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA), after initiating new legal action against football’s global governing body.

Diarra, who has a longstanding dispute with FIFA, won his legal battle against the organisation in October 2024, when the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that FIFA’s regulations on player transfers were in violation of EU legislation.

In 2014, the now 40-year-old had his contract with Lokomotiv Moscow terminated, with FIFA subsequently ordering him to pay €10.5 million in compensation to the Russian club for breaching his contract. In its verdict last year, the CJEU found that FIFA had prevented the “free movement of professional footballers” for not issuing Diarra with an international transfer certificate (ITC) for his proposed move to Belgian Pro League club Charleroi.

The Frenchman, who previously played for English clubs Chelsea, Arsenal, and Portsmouth, has the support of global players’ union FIFPRO, as well as France’s National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP).

"Culture of contempt”

In a statement announcing further legal proceedings, Diarra cited a “culture of contempt”, in FIFA’s failure to reach a settlement.
He said: “I have been forced to fight this legal battle since August 2014. That's more than 11 years.

“I am doing this for myself. But I have also done it for all the up and coming, lesser known players who do not have the financial and psychological means to challenge FIFA before real judges.”
 

FIFA ‘considering’ biennial Club World Cup

FIFA is considering moving the Club World Cup to a biennial format, according to The Guardian. Football’s global governing body is said to be ‘under pressure’ from some clubs over switching to a two-year Club World Cup cycle.

In June, Real Madrid made a proposal that the competition adopt a biennial format, which was backed by Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Napoli.

Earlier this summer, FIFA held its first edition of the tournament under an expanded, 32-team format, offering a prize purse of $1 billion, including $115 million for eventual winners Chelsea.

FIFA ‘not considering’ 2027 Club World Cup

Although there is ‘no serious consideration’ within FIFA over staging another Club World Cup in 2027, a potential switch to a two-year cycle would ‘likely’ take place from 2029. FIFA is currently engaged in a longstanding dispute with international players’ union FIFPRO, which recently voiced concerns over the expanded tournament, amid an increasingly congested playing calendar.

The Guardian previously reported that the organisation is also considering increasing the number of teams to 48 for the next instalment of the Club World Cup.
 

CF Intercity set for vote on €60 million investment

Fourth-tier Spanish club CF Intercity have called for vote on proposed investment of €60 million in an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on 15th September.

If approved, this would see the issuing of €60 million in bonds, which would be convertible into club shares, alongside an additional €12 million in warrants, which could also be converted into company shares.

Both of these transactions would open the door for new investors in the club, allowing it to bolster its financial stability and invest in infrastructure.

Alicante Park development

€33 million of the new funding would be invested into the construction of Alicante Park, the club’s new 20,000-seat venue.

According to Intercity, the new stadium could generate an economic impact of more than €100 million annually.
 

AC Ajaccio file for bankruptcy

French club AC Ajaccio have filed for bankruptcy and have lost their professional status, as reported by local outlet Corse Matin.

Last week, the Corsica-based club were banned from all national competitions by the French Football Federation (FFF), after previously being relegated by France’s DNCG last month due to ongoing financial issues, with an estimated debt of more than €13 million.

Ajaccio’s proposed takeover by Spanish lawyer Arnau Baqué Roig collapsed in July, with the club since unable to find a new buyer. The club’s bankruptcy will result in the loss of 180 jobs, as well as the closure of their training ground, while their board are expected to resign.

Hopeful of returning to National 3

The club remain hopeful of returning to National 3, the fifth tier of French football, via an appeal against last week’s decision by the FFF, rather than competing in Regional 1.

However, this would require raising a budget of several hundred thousand euros. A fan collective, Culletivu Biancu è Rossu, is reported to have raised over €12,000 within 24 hours in an effort to keep the club within the league system.