The French Football Federation (FFF) has claimed a victory over France’s Professional Football League (LFP) in its plans for a new governance bill, L’Équipe has reported.

Last month, reports surfaced that the FFF was looking to scrap the LFP in favour of a new entity that would govern the top two tiers of French men’s football - Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. The proposed reform, which would allow clubs to become shareholders in the new company, would assimilate the structure of the Premier League.

The French senate has now adopted the new bill on the governance of French football, and confirmed that the FFF holds the right to dissolve LFP if there is no agreement between the two parties.

New Ligue 1 channel "moving forward"

Meanwhile, LFP Media CEO Nicolas de Tavernost has revealed that the new Ligue 1 channel will be priced at less than €20 per month. Following the termination of LFP’s domestic broadcast rights agreement with DAZN, the organisation recently confirmed plans to launch its own in-house platform.

“What I can tell you is that the price will be less than 20 euros per month and that there will also be a subscription for young people,” de Tavernost confirmed in an interview with the After Foot show on RMC. He added that the project is “moving forward”, with the new channel set to be in place before the start of the 2025/26 season.
 

FIFA consider expanding Club World Cup to 48 teams

FIFA is set for internal discussions on potentially expanding the Club World Cup to 48 teams for its 2029 edition, according to The Guardian.

This year’s Club World Cup features 32 clubs for the first time, as part of an expanded format, up from seven in previous years. The decision to expand the competition further would be subject to the success of this summer’s tournament, which kicks off on Saturday 14th June, and will run until 13th July.

A potential expansion of the Club World Cup would align with the 2026 World Cup, which will comprise 48 teams for the first time.

FIFA to consider increasing limit on teams from one country

FIFA will hold talks with all stakeholders regarding the Club World Cup’s format and structure going forward after this year’s competition. The organisation will also consider increasing the number of eligible clubs from one country, which is currently capped at two. This proposal has the backing of Premier League teams.

For this year’s Club World Cup, Brazil and the US have four and three teams respectively who are set to compete in the tournament, as FIFA made an exception for clubs that won their continental competitions.
 

Italian Government considers reform of Serie A audiovisual law

The Italian Government is considering changes to its Serie A audiovisual law, according to Italian media. Italy’s Council of Ministers is contemplating repealing the Melandri Law, which has been in place since 2009, and regulates the sale and distribution of media rights revenue.

Among the proposed changes is a more equal distribution of broadcasting income among clubs, which would increase from the current 50 per cent under the new legislation. The remainder would be allocated based on various factors, including sporting merit since the 1999/00 season and the development and utilisation of Italian players.

The new law would also scrap the league's single-buyer rule, allowing one broadcaster to obtain exclusive rights for a period of up to three years.

Serie A expresses opposition

In a statement, Serie A president Ezio Simonelli said:

"Serie A highlights, above all, its clear opposition to any form of increase in external mutuality that would lead to further subtracting fundamental resources from the development and sustainability of Serie A, which already contributes to the support of the lower categories to the extent of 10 per cent of the audiovisual rights."
 

Burnley contact FIFA over unpaid transfer fees by John Textor-owned club Botafogo

Brazilian club Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, which are majority owned by Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, have been accused of unpaid transfer fees, as reported by The Times.

The Rio de Janeiro-based club still owe money for the signing of Vitinho, who joined from Burnley last summer in a deal worth around £6.5 million, plus an extra £2 million in performance-driven bonuses.

The English side have contacted FIFA regarding the alleged unpaid fees, after previously reaching out to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

Botafogo’s latest transfer controversy

In an initial ruling that was issued in January, FIFA handed the Brazilian club a select time period to pay off the outstanding money. Football’s global governing body recently followed up with a second ruling, after the situation remained unresolved.

Earlier this year, Botafogo received a €130,000 fine from FIFA, after MLS club Atlanta United complained to FIFA over an unpaid transfer fee for Thiago Almada, who also signed for the Brazilian side last summer.
 

Vitesse reveal step-by-step plan to Dutch FA in hopes of retaining 2025/26 license

Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem have revealed a step-by-step plan to the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), in the hope of retaining their license for next season.

Last month, the KNVB’s licensing committee took a proposed decision to revoke Vitesse’s license for the 2025/26 campaign, stating that the club had ‘continued to circumvent and evade the licensing system’. In a statement on Wednesday 11th June, Vitesse said: ‘In the past period, Vitesse has met important conditions for retaining the license at high speed.

‘A long-term agreement has been concluded with an accountant, the KNVB has been extensively informed about various substantive matters and the KNVB's questions have been answered repeatedly in various contact moments.’

Vitesse sign up two new sponsors

Ahead of the upcoming season, Vitesse have signed up two new sponsors, namely The Money App and Frank Energie, which will serve as the club’s main partners for the next three seasons. The Money App’s logo will feature on the front of the team’s shirts from the start of the 2025/26 campaign, while the Dutch energy supplier’s branding will be visible on their away kits.

Meanwhile, Vitesse have confirmed the departure of Dane Murphy, who will resign from the club’s supervisory board, in order to become the new CEO at English club Charlton Athletic.
 

Ex-Malaga owner facing 14-year prison sentence

Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani, the former owner of Malaga CF, is facing a 14-year prison sentence over the alleged misappropriation of funds, unfair administration, and the imposition of abusive agreements, according to Spanish media reports.

Spain’s prosecutor’s office is also seeking sentences for Al-Thani’s three sons, Nasser, Rakan and Nayef, who were members of Malaga’s board. Multiple former club executives have also been indicted as part of the investigation and face sentences of around five years.

Al-Thani, who bought Malaga for around €36 million in 2010, was the subject of a complaint filed in 2019 by the Association of Small Shareholders (APA), leading to an investigation into the club, and his subsequent removal as their owner in 2020.

The Prosecutors’ case against Al-Thani

According to the prosecutors, the Al-Thani family took irregular payments from the former LaLiga club, including inflated salaries, as well as loans, rented properties, and alleged purchases using club funding.

In addition to the potential prison sentences, the prosecution is also aiming to ban the four Al-Thani family members from managing commercial companies for the same duration.

The UK Government is prepared to take former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to court over the £2.5 billion from the club’s sale, which remains in a frozen account, The Guardian reports.

In 2022, the Russian oligarch agreed to sell the club to BlueCo, the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, after being sanctioned by the UK Government following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As per the takeover agreement, the proceeds from that deal were promised to go towards humanitarian support in Ukraine, however these are currently placed in a UK bank account controlled by Fordstam, a company owned by Abramovich.

Government to pursue legal action if necessary

UK chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves and foreign secretary David Lammy said in a joint statement: ‘The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.

‘While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.’

Atalanta score record revenue of €270.1 million for first half of 2024/25

Serie A club Atlanta have delivered record revenue of €270.1 million for the first six months of the 2024/25 season, according to a report from Calcio e Finanza.

By comparison, Atalanta previously generated revenue of €167.4 million for the first six months of 2023/24.

The club have also generated a profit of €56.5 million for the first nine months of the campaign, up from €4.9 million for the same period during the 2023/24 season.

Revenue driven by capital gains

Atalanta’s turnover for 2024/25 will be bolstered by capital gains of €85.9 million. This includes €44.5 million from the transfer of Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus, as well as €13.1 million from the sale of Caleb Okoli to Leicester City, €10.3 million from Aleksei Miranchuk’s move to Atlanta United, and €10 million from Nicolo Cambiaghi’s transfer to Bologna.

Atalanta are additionally aiming to generate revenue of €67 million from the Champions League.

Oliver Kahn pulls out of ‘€50 million’ Bordeaux takeover

German football legend Oliver Kahn has withdrawn his interest in taking over French club Girondins de Bordeaux. Last week, the 55-year-old tabled a bid to purchase Bordeaux, rivalling that of Gerard Lopez, who has owned the club since 2021.

However, in a letter shared by French publication Sud Ouest, Kahn has now announced that he has withdrawn his offer, citing ‘financial, operational, and legal information’ that he and his partners had discovered, and is no longer willing to commit to the proposed takeover, valued by French media at around €50 million.

‘In January 2025, I submitted a formal offer to the current owner, later accompanied by proof of funds, and then presented an offer to the court administrator,’ Kahn said.

The letter continued: ‘It is therefore with great disappointment, despite extensive preparatory work and rigorous analysis, that we have made the carefully considered decision not to pursue our takeover plan.’

Bordeaux’s financial crisis

Last July, Bordeaux filed for bankruptcy, and were relegated to France’s fourth tier, amid their ongoing financial issues.

Following Kahn’s withdrawal, Bordeaux now has just one continuation plan, fielded by Lopez, to ensure the club’s survival.

Chicago Fire announce $650 million stadium plan

The MLS club Chicago Fire have unveiled plans to construct a new $650 million stadium in Chicago's South Loop.

The team's owner, Joe Mansueto, announced that the stadium, which is set to open in spring 2028, will accommodate 22,000 fans and will be privately funded without the need for public money.

The stadium will be built on a 62-acre vacant plot that was previously a landfill and railyard. The site has been undeveloped for many years and was acquired by Related Midwest in 2016. Notably, the Chicago White Sox, the baseball team, had also considered this location for a new stadium and sought over $1 billion in public financing for their project.

"More than just a stadium"

Mansueto emphasised the significance of the project beyond just being a sports venue, stating, "This project is more than just a stadium. It’s a space for fans of all ages, backgrounds and neighborhoods to come together and celebrate the beautiful game – right in the heart of our city."

The Fire have had multiple homes since their inception in 1998, including Soldier Field and SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The move back to downtown Chicago is seen as an effort to rekindle fan interest and provide a permanent home for the club.

Sheffield Wednesday charged by EFL over unpaid player and staff salaries

Sheffield Wednesday have been charged with ‘multiple breaches’ of the EFL’s regulations, after failing to pay players and staff on time and in full for the months of March and May, EFL have announced in a statement.

The Championship club’s owner, Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri, has also been charged by the EFL for causing these breaches, in spite of ‘his commitment to fund their cash requirements’.

Sheffield Wednesday and Chansiri subsequently now have 14 days to respond to these charges.

Club ‘seeking resolution'

In a statement shared by Wednesday on Tuesday afternoon, the club said: ‘Sheffield Wednesday acknowledge the statement issued by the EFL on Tuesday afternoon.

‘The club continue to seek a resolution regarding outstanding salaries due for the month of May at the earliest possible opportunity.

‘Mr Chansiri sincerely apologises to all players, coaches and staff affected and everyone connected with the club.’

Angel City ranked as most valuable NWSL team

Angel City have been listed as the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) most valuable team, with an estimated worth of $280 million according to Forbes’ first ever valuations for the elite US women’s league.

This marks a $30 million increase since last September, when the franchise was sold for a record $250 million to Disney CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay.

Kansas City Current have been ranked as the NWSL's second most valuable team, with a valuation of $275 million, followed by Bay FC, who have been valued at $170 million.

Average team is worth $134 million

In terms of revenue, Forbes estimates that Angel City generated around $35 million in 2024, while the Kansas City Current delivered $36 million. This is significantly higher than the third highest club, San Diego Wave, who secured estimated revenue of $24 million, with eight teams bringing in $10 million or less.

Forbes has additionally revealed that the average NWSL club is now worth $134 million, while all teams have a valuation of at least $70 million.

LFP yet to receive €20 million payment from BeIN Sports

France’s Professional Football League (LFP) has still yet to receive a €20 million payment from BeIN Sports for sponsorship rights, as reported by L’Équipe.

In January, the Qatari broadcaster signed a deal with LFP for domestic rights to Ligue 1 fixtures, which is reportedly worth €98.5 million annually.

That figure comprises €78.5 million for broadcast rights to one weekly match, as well as €20 million for sponsorship agreements with Qatar-based companies.

Latest unpaid bill for LFP

Although the broadcast rights fee has been received, payment for the sponsorship rights remains outstanding.

Recently, LFP and DAZN confirmed the termination of their five-year media rights partnership, which was worth €400 million annually, after just one season. In February, the UK-based company withheld half (€35 million) of its monthly payment from LFP, alleging that the organisation had made a lack of effort to combat piracy, and that clubs had not offered ample help with editorial content.

The Premier League has charged Leicester City with alleged breaches of its profit and sustainability rules (PSR) during the 2023/24 season, the league has announced in a statement.

Leicester have subsequently been referred to an independent commission, and could reportedly face a point deduction, after a tribunal ruled that the Premier League has the authority to sanction the club.

In April, the Premier League altered its PSR regulations, granting the English top flight jurisdiction over clubs that have been relegated. The club, who spent the 2023/24 campaign in the Championship, will return to the second tier for a second time in three years at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Last year, Leicester were initially charged by the Premier League over PSR violations between 2020 and 2023. During this period, the club made collective losses of £215.3 million, more than double the permitted PSR threshold of £105 million over three years. In Leicester’s most recent financial statements, the club reported a loss of £19.4 million for the 2023/24 season.

Leicester’s response to PSR charges

A statement shared by Leicester City said: ‘Leicester City FC notes the tribunal decision which has been published today.

‘Consistent with its previous commitments, the club intends to engage cooperatively in this matter now that the Premier League’s jurisdiction has been established for the period ending FY24.’

Leeds United owners set to issue £120m in new shares ahead of Premier League return

Leeds United’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, are set to issue around £120 million in new shares in the English club, as reported by The Athletic.

The club, who recently secured promotion back to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season, are reportedly aiming to use the new funding to help finance the renovation of Elland Road, as well as investing further in their playing squad during this summer’s transfer window.

Senior figures within Leeds’ ownership group contacted shareholders shortly after the club secured their return tenth Premier League last month.

Leeds eyeing long-term stay in English top-flight

Since Leeds’ most recent stint in the Premier League, between 2020 and 2023, the club were subject to a full takeover by 49ers Enterprises in 2023 for a reported fee of £170 million.

Under their new ownership, the investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, Leeds are aiming to bolster their roster and invest further into club infrastructure in order to avoid relegation back to the Championship, and facilitate greater financial sustainability.

Brescia facing relegation from Serie B amid financial investigation

Brescia Calcio are facing a potential four-point deduction, amid an investigation led by COVISOC, an agency that oversees the financial sustainability of Italian clubs, Calcio Finanza reports.

The 2024/25 Serie B season already concluded earlier this month, with Cosenza, Cittadella, and Sampdoria relegated to Serie C. However Brescia, who finished the campaign on 43 points, would drop below Sampdoria, who finished with 41 points, if they are handed a four-point sanction.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, the relegation playoff between Frosinone and Salernitana has been postponed.

Club set to appeal if sanctioned by COVISOC

The alleged financial breaches relate to irregularities in salary payments as well as tax contributions in February.

In a statement, Brescia said: ‘Following the press reports that emerged today and the notice of conclusion of the investigation received from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for alleged irregularities in payments, Brescia Calcio announces that it will appeal to any sporting and, if necessary, extra-sporting body, to protect its position believing that it has correctly fulfilled the federal deadlines and acted in accordance with state and sporting regulations.’

Blackburn Rovers relegated from Women’s Championship after club withdraws

Blackburn Rovers’ women’s team have been relegated from the Women’s Championship, after the club decided to withdraw from the second tier of English women’s football. The club's owners were recently given an 18th May deadline by Women’s Super League Football (WSL Football), the new governing body overseeing the top two English women’s football leagues, to state their intention for the women’s team and meet club licensing criteria.

As reported by The Athletic, Blackburn women’s players and staff were informed that no funding would be provided by the club on Tuesday 20th May. Last year, the club faced backlash amid reports that women’s team players were being paid salaries of just £9,000, with a total playing budget of £100,000.

In a statement, Blackburn said the decision was primarily driven by a rise in minimum criteria set by the Women’s Championship, including extended contact hours and an increase in staffing levels, which resulted in higher wage costs.

Rovers ‘not walking away’ from women’s football

‘This decision follows a comprehensive review of the evolving demands placed on second tier clubs, which have become unsustainable under our current model,’ Blackburn Rovers said.

‘We acknowledge the disappointment this may cause to our players, supporters and staff, and extend our heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering dedication last season, but this decision has not been made lightly. To be absolutely clear, Blackburn Rovers is not walking away from the women’s game.
‘The club are now in active discussions with The FA Women’s National League board regarding the level the team can enter the Women’s football pyramid next season, with a decision set to be confirmed over the coming weeks.’

US private equity firm 777 Partners and finical backer A-Cap are facing a new lawsuit over sale of Everton to the Friedkin Group (TFG) last December, as first reported by Norwegian publication Josimar.

In a case filed on 1st May, London-based wealth management company Leadenhall is alleging that 777 and A-Cap violated a court order, arguing that they should subsequently be held in contempt of court.

In July 2024, Leadenhall secured a preliminary injunction against 777’s dissipation of assets, which were allegedly below fair market value, as part of a fraud case filed in New York.

Leadenhall are now stating that the Miami-based investment company has breached this, due to the sale of Everton last year. The case claims that after the takeover, TFG settled loans made to the English club by A-Cap through 777 subsidiary Nutmeg, which were worth around $201 million.

According to Josimar, ‘A-CAP received a 60 million pounds payment from TFG and 130 million pounds preferred equity in Everton plus warrants which, if converted, would give it a 10 percent shareholding in the club.’

Leadenhall is claiming that in April last year, Nutmeg transferred the loan from Everton to A-Cap ‘for no consideration’. Months later, in June 2024, the company alleges that A-Cap then took over Nutmeg ‘while avoiding transferring its equity’, before A-Cap wrote down the debt owed by Nutmeg last December.

Leadenhall’s case against 777 Partners

The new lawsuit also centres on the transfer of Trans Atlantic Lifetime Mortgages (TAMI) from 777 to A-Cap’s Kenneth King last July. Leadenhall is alleging that 777 recevieved from a cash advance worth between $2 million and $3 million for UK-based TAMI, despite the firm having an estimated valuation of between $250 million and $300 million.

As a result, Leadenhall is reportedly now demanding that both 777 and A-Cap are held in contempt of court, seeking a fine of $25,000 per day from the date of the transfer of TAMI on 8th July, and an additional $25,000 per day from the date of Everton’s sale on 18th December.

FC Cologne sack sporting director and head coach amid Bundesliga promotion push

FC Cologne have sacked sporting director Christian Keller and head coach Gerhard Struber, the German club confirmed.

Currently placed second in the 2 Bundesliga, Cologne are chasing promotion to the Bundesliga. However the club dropped out of first position last weekend, following a 1-1 draw against SSV Jahn Regensburg.

FC Cologne announced that Thomas Kessler would take over as the club’s sporting director, replacing Keller, who had served in the role since April 2022. Last summer, he appointed Struber as the team’s new head coach, following their relegation from the German top flight. Friedhelm Funkel will meanwhile take the reins as manager for the final two matches of the 2024/25 season.

Club must “seize this opportunity,” says president

“Our decision is the result of a thorough analysis of the team's sporting development over the past few weeks,” said Werner Wolf, president at FC Cologne.

“Given the still strong chance of direct promotion, we must do everything in our power to seize this opportunity.”

UEFA sanctions 13 clubs over overdue debts during 2024/25 season

UEFA has sanctioned 13 clubs for overdue debts during the 2024/25 season through its Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), European football’s governing body has announced.

Ligue 1 side Lyon received a €200,000 fine, while Turkey’s Trabzonspor and Georgia’s FC Dinamo Batumi were each given fines worth €100,000.

Eight additional clubs were fined between €10,000 and €50,000 by UEFA, while two Ukranian teams - FC Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih and FC Polissya Zhotomyr - were handed a warning.

Clubs given suspended exclusions from UEFA competition

In addition to UEFA’s financial sanctions, three clubs received a suspended ban from next season’s European domestic competitions due to debts that were overdue by more than 90 days. These include Kazakhstani club FC Astana, alongside Georgian sides FC Dinamo Tbilisi, and the aforementioned Batumi.

Astana’s ban is suspended for two seasons, and will only be imposed by UEFA if the club has overdue debts during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons. The other two clubs however will have a probationary period of just one season, with a suspension enforceable for overdue debts during the next campaign.

Manchester City’s second challenge against the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules will result in a legal trial in October, according to Sky Sports.

In February, City won their initial legal case against the English top flight over its APT regulations, which were declared ‘void and unenforceable’ by an arbitration tribunal.

In City’s latest case against the Premier League, the current champions are now claiming that other teams have an unfair competitive advantage due to shareholder loans from their owners. The hearing in October will likely last around two weeks.

City’s ongoing dispute over APT rules

First introduced in 2021 following the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United, the APT regulations were brought in in order to ensure that commercial partnerships between clubs and companies linked to their owners were of fair market value.

In 2023, the Premier League blocked City from signing new agreements with Etihad Airways and First Abu Dhabi Bank - which both have ties to the club’s ownership - deeming that the deals were not of fair market value, thus breaching the APT rules.

UEFA distributes record €233 million to clubs for releasing players for national team competitions

UEFA has allocated a record figure of €233 million to clubs for releasing players for European national team competitions between 2020 and 2024.

Through the UEFA 2024 Club Benefit Programme, 901 teams from 55 national associations were allocated funds for releasing players to compete in the Nations League, European championship qualifiers, and last year’s men’s UEFA Euro 2024 championship.

Manchester City received €5.2 million from the UEFA, the most of any club, followed by Real Madrid and Inter Milan, who received €4.8 million and €4.7 million respectively.

“When football thrives, everyone benefits,” says UEFA president

“It is fantastic to see clubs of all sizes and levels, across the entire football pyramid, receiving financial rewards for their vital role in developing players who contribute to the success of our national team competitions - including the highly successful UEFA Euro 2024 final tournament,” said UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin.

“Every success of our competitions is a shared one, and this benefits programme is another testament to that principle, recognising the dedication of those who work tirelessly to make European football the greatest sport in the world. When football thrives, everyone benefits.”

Italian Government set to approve new Sports Decree to unlock up to €5 billion for stadiums

The Italian Government is set to approve a new Sports Decree, which will open up between €4.5 billion and €5 billion for football stadium developments, as reported by II Sole 24 Ore.

The new decree, which is backed by Italy’s Minister of Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi, is intended to accelerate the construction and renovation processes for venues that have been delayed.

This comes ahead of the men’s UEFA Euro 2032 championships, which will be held in Italy and Turkey.

In total, the stadium development projects will cost between €7 billion and €10 billion, according to the Italian Government’ projections. This includes plans for the new San Siro, the proposed new home of AC Milan and Inter Milan, which is expected to cost up to €1.5 billion.

“Time is of the essence,” says Italy’s sports minister

“This is to respond to a need that is that of 2032, which is brought forward to 2026 for the definition of the five Italian stadiums,” Abodi said.

“UEFA has set a deadline of April-May 2027 for the construction to be underway, under the threat of withdrawal of the allocation. Therefore, time is of the essence.”

Schalke 04 faces potential points deduction due to financial struggles

Schalke 04 are facing the possibility of a points deduction if it fails to improve its negative equity by five percent within this calendar year.

The club announced on its website that they have received their license for the 2025/26 season of the 2. Bundesliga as expected. However, there is a stipulation that requires an improvement in their financial situation to avoid a penalty in the 2026-27 season.

The club acknowledges that meeting the five percent equity improvement target will continue to be a significant challenge in the future.

"Major challenge"

Christina Rühl-Hamers, a member of the club's board, commented on the situation, stating.

"In the calendar year 2024, we managed to meet the equity rule, even though it was a great achievement for Schalke 04. Improving equity by five percent will continue to be a major challenge for us in the future."

Currently, Schalke 04 is positioned at 13th place in Germany's second-tier league. The club's financial health and performance on the pitch remain critical areas of focus as they work to meet regulatory requirements and maintain their competitive status in the league.

DAZN has rejected the French Professional Football League's (LFP) proposal to terminate its Ligue 1 domestic broadcast rights partnership at the end of the 2024/25 season.

During a meeting held by LFP on 15th April, Ligue 1’s board of directors agreed to end the contract at the end of the current campaign.

As reported by RMC Sport, the proposal included a termination fee of between €110 million and €125 million, which would be paid to the LFP.

UK-headquartered DAZN initially signed a five-year agreement worth a reported €400 million annually to become the exclusive domestic broadcaster for Ligue 1 matches until 2029.

DAZN’s ongoing dispute with the LFP

In February, DAZN withheld half of its monthly payment to LFP, and also initiated legal action, seeking €573 million in compensation pertaining to alleged ‘contract breaches’ and 'market dishonesty’.

Although DAZN would later agree to pay the outstanding fee and dropped its legal case, the Paris Commercial Court would later appoint a mediator to help resolve the ongoing dispute.

After DAZN rejected the proposed termination fee LFP Media put out a short statement noting the failure of the mediation stating that 'The contract binding the parties remains in force and LFP MEDIA expects its partner to fully fulfill all of its obligations'.

The next payment by DAZN is due 30th April.
 

Brentford's owner acquires Spanish club Mérida AD

Best Intentions Analytics (BIA), the holding company that now owns Premier League club Brentford, has confirmed a full takeover of third tier Spanish side Asociación Deportiva Mérida.

Under the agreement, BIA will acquire 100 per cent of the Mérida AD’s shares, replacing Mark Heffernan, who had been the club’ majority owner since 2021.

Matthew Benham has been Brentford’s controlling shareholder since 2012, but with the recent acquisition of Mérida, Best Intentions Analytics is now listed as the majority owner of the club. Benham is identified as the person with significant control (PSC) of BIA.

Benham’s ownership

During his tenure, the 56-year-old has presided over a period of success for the club, which have risen from League One to the Premier League. Benham’s investment also helped fund Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium, which has been home to the team since 2020.

The deal to buy Mérida AD marks Benham’s latest ownership venture, after the entrepreneur previously served as the majority owner of Danish club FC Midtjylland from 2014 to 2023.
 

Premier League clubs spent more than £400 million on agent fees in 2024/25

Premier League clubs have spent a combined £409.1 million on agent fees during the 2024/25 season, the English Football Association (FA) has revealed.

For a second successive year, Chelsea spent the most of any Premier League team on agent fees, accounting for £60.4 million. Manchester City and Manchester United finished second and third on the list for the second year running, spending £51.1 million and £33 million respectively.

Championship clubs spent a combined £63.2 million on agent fees, compared to League One’s expenditure of £7.6 million, League Two’s total of £2.7 million, and the National League’s figure of £953,000.

Chelsea also lead WSL in agent costs

In the women’s game, Chelsea spent £623,000 on agents over the last year, which was the most of any WSL club. That figure is worth almost triple the amount of second-placed Arsenal, who spent £223,000 by comparison.

Overall, WSL clubs spent a combined £2.2 million on agent fees, which is almost a ten-fold increase on the Women’s Championship’s total spending of £286,000.
 

MediaPro challenges LaLiga’s new production deal with HBS and TSA

Spanish production company Mediapro is challenging LaLiga’s new broadcast production rights partnership with HBS and TSA.

Earlier this week, Spain’s top flight revealed the new five-year agreement, which will see the two companies replace MediaPro from the start of the 2025/26 season.

This will end MediaPro’s longstanding collaboration with the Spanish top-flight, which spans more than 20 years.

MediaPro’s response

In a statement on 14th April, MediaPro blasted LaLiga’s ‘outrageous’ new partnership with HBS, highlighting the Swiss company’s lack of a ‘technical facility’ within Spain.

MediaPro also criticised LaLiga’s production rights tender process, which it described as ‘characterised by secrecy and a lack of transparency’, and said the company will ‘consider any possible challenge to the decision’.

Ex-Manchester United football director John Murtough joins Atalanta

Atalanta have hired former Manchester United football director John Murtough as the Serie A club’s director of global development, the Italian club have confirmed.

The 54-year-old will start his role with immediate effect, reporting to Atalanta’s sporting director Tony D’Amico.

The Bergamo-based club say the Englishman’s appointment will help strengthen an area that aims to further develop its international vision.

Manchester United tenure

Murtough spent more than 10 years in Manchester between 2013 and 2024, becoming United’s first ever football director in 2021. He left the club in the spring last year shortly after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment in the club had been completed.

Previously, he also worked at the Premier League, Everton, Fulham and Coventry City.

Real Madrid’s complaint against Javier Tebas has reached Spain’s Sports Administrative Court (TAD), which has opened disciplinary proceedings against the LaLiga president, according to AS.

The club are seeking to suspend Tebas, alleging that he breached their confidentiality in a post shared on X, which revealed the result of a club vote in an anonymous survey regarding their stance on refereeing.

AS reports that the investigation, which is being led by the TAD, could constitute a ‘very serious offence’.

Tebas faces potential dismissal

Real Madrid are arguing that a Tweet posted by Tebas on 3rd February violated their right to confidentiality, which is in breach of Article 19 of the LaLiga Statutes.

Tebas could face a fine of between €3,000 and €30,000, public admonishment, a suspension of between two and 15 years, or dismissal, if he is found guilty of the alleged breaches.

Verdict on Manchester City’s 115 charges delayed until summer

The verdict on Manchester City’s 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations is unlikely to come before summer, as reported by The Telegraph.

The charges, which were first announced in February 2023, relate to the nine-year period between 2009 and 2018.

Last year, an independent hearing took place between September and December, with the verdict initially expected to come during the first quarter of 2025.

No official deadline for outcome of trial

No official deadline was ever decided regarding the outcome of the trial.

The matter reportedly might not be resolved before the new Premier League season kicks off on 16th August.

Mbappé takes legal action against Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages

Kylian Mbappé and his legal team are taking aggressive legal action against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), over a dispute involving €55 million in alleged unpaid wages and bonuses. The French striker's lawyers have initiated proceedings in the Paris court, with a legal hearing set for May 26.

According to Mbappé's main lawyer, Delphine Verheyden, the decision to go on the offensive comes after a year-long attempt to amicably resolve the issue. Verheyden stated that Mbappé has not received the €55 million owed to him despite efforts to settle the matter peacefully.

The legal battle extends beyond the courts, with Verheyden requesting intervention from the French sports minister and challenging a ruling by the French football federation's appeals commission. This commission deemed Mbappé's appeal against PSG inadmissible due to an ongoing civil court procedure.

Urged to notify UEFA

Furthermore, Mbappé has urged the federation to notify UEFA of PSG's failure to fulfill salary obligations, which could potentially jeopardise PSG's Champions League license if they are found responsible.

A UEFA spokesperson commented on the matter, stating that if French authorities confirm payment arrears, PSG would need to settle them promptly or face non-compliance with financial fair play regulations.
 

Court blocks LaLiga’s request to suspend CSD ruling on Danii Olmo and Pau Victor

Spain’s Administrative Court has rejected LaLiga’s injunction request, after the league tried to block the Higher Sports Council’s (CSD) decision to allow Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to continue playing for Barcelona for the rest of the 2024/25 season.

Earlier this month, the Spanish Government granted Barcelona temporary licenses, enabling the club to register both players for the remainder of the current campaign.

Following this however, LaLiga requested that the CSD impose precautionary measures to prevent this from happening, claiming that allowing Olmo and Victor to play would highlight a competitive imbalance within the Spanish top flight.

Next steps

After the Administrative Court denied LaLiga’s request for an injunction, the aforementioned players and CSD will be able to appear before a judge, as reported by AS.

The ongoing dispute will not be resolved until the judge’s ruling, which will reportedly take months.

Atletico Madrid sign ‘€20 million a year’ Nike extension

Atletico Madrid have signed a ten-year extension of their kit supplier partnership with Nike.

The new deal, which will run until the end of the 2034/25 season, is worth more than €20 million annually, according to 2Playbook.

This more than doubles the valuation of the current deal, which expires in 2026, and is reportedly worth €10 million per season.

25 years of collaboration

The renewal extends the LaLiga club’s long-standing association with the US sportswear giant, which dates back to 2001.

During that time, Atletico have experienced significant successes, winning 16 trophies, including two LaLiga titles in 2013/14 and 2020/21.

Genoa owner planning €10 million capital increase

Genoa owner Dan Sucu is planning a capital increase of €10 million into the Italian club, according to regional newspaper Il Secolo XIX.

The uptick in investment comes amid an ongoing investigation led by the Genoa Public Prosecutor’s Office into the sale of the Serie A side in December to the Romanian businessman, which was worth €40 million.

Genoa’s previous owner, 777 Partners, collapsed in October last year, prompting the club to seek a new buyer.

Legal dispute with A-Cap

In January, 777 Partners lender A-Cap attempted to block the Sucu takeover, claiming that the company still owned the club, and had not agreed to its sale.

Last week however the Court of Genoa ruled in favour of the club, rejecting A-Cap’s claim, and accepting the arguments presented by their lawyers.

Manchester City want the Premier League to foot a legal bill worth more than £20 million, after winning their legal case regarding the English top flight’s Associated Party Transition (APT) rules, as revealed by The Times.

In February, an independent tribunal declared that the Premier League’s APT regulations were ‘void and unenforceable’, ruling in favour of the current champions. Although the tribunal has not yet finalised the apportionment of costs for the case, City are planning to apply for the league to cover the legal fees.

The league first introduced its APT rules in 2021, following the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United, as part of a clampdown on partnerships between clubs and companies with ties to their ownership.

City’s latest case against the Premier League

According to recent reports, City have launched a separate legal challenge against the league’s APT rules, claiming that other clubs have an unfair advantage due to shareholder loans from their owners.

City reportedly consider this to be an unfair advantage, with Everton and Arsenal receiving £450 million and £259 million respectively in shareholder loans during the 2022/23 season.
 

DAZN has lost ‘between €200 and €250 million’ in first year of Ligue 1 broadcast deal

DAZN has lost between €200 million and €250 million this season from its Ligue 1 domestic rights agreement with France’s Professional Football League (LFP), according to a report by L’Équipe.

DAZN is just one year into a five-year broadcast agreement with LFP, which is reportedly worth an average of €375 million annually, and will run until 2029. The broadcaster is set to pay €325 million for the first year of the deal, as well as €35 million in additional costs, including salaries, travel expenses, and marketing.

Since the Ligue 1 season kicked off, DAZN has only gained 500,000 subscribers, according to the company’s lawyer, meaning it has generated €120 million from them. If these figures are accurate, this means the network has lost €240 million this year, after paying a total €360 million for the league’s rights.

DAZN’s dispute with Ligue 1

In February, DAZN initiated legal action against the LFP, demanding €573 million in compensation over alleged ‘breaches’ and ‘market dishonesty’. The company would later drop this case, with a mediator brought in by the Paris Commercial Court to help resolve its dispute with LFP.

Despite this, RMC Sport reported earlier this month that DAZN is looking to terminate its Ligue 1 deal at the end of the 2024/25 season.
 

Luis Campos likely to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season

Luis Campos looks set to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the 2024/25 season, as reported by RMC Sport.

The 60-year-old Portuguese and the newly crowned Ligue 1 champions are yet to agree a new deal, and with Campos’ contract set to expire in June, negotiations appear to have stalled.

Campos joined PSG in 2022 as the club’s football advisor, effectively serving as sporting director, but a renewal now appears unlikely.

Campos has support of PSG manager and president

Last week, PSG manager Luis Enrique expressed his desire for Campos to remain at the Parc des Princes, telling reporters: “I would like Luis Campos to continue at the club. I started with him, I would like to finish with him.”

PSG president, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, also shares these sentiments, wanting Campos to remain at the club.

Eagle Football Group, the owner of Crystal Palace and Lyon, has revealed a net loss of €117 million for the six-month period ended 31st December 2024.

The organisation has cited a decline in player sales over the first half of the 2024/25 season as a key factor in the overall loss, compared to last year’s figure of €60.6 million for the same period. Despite this, revenue excluding player trading saw a seven per cent increase on 2023/24, reaching €82.9 million.

Eagle Football Group also reported an EBITDA of €46.1 million, compared to €7.6 million last year. The company says this is primarily due to an increase in personnel costs, which rose by 17 per cent over the last year.

Projections for the rest of 2024/25

Reflecting on Eagle Football’s latest financial statements, analyst Trion Reid said in a comment: “This is the largest H1 net loss in the club’s history and is alone larger than the largest annual net loss of €107 million in 2021.”

Despite this, the analyst said: ”EBITDA in 2025/26 is expected to be “strong” despite a lower revenue outlook given the reduced domestic TV income, as a result of the cost reduction plan and the “completion and termination of numerous high-value player contracts that were inherited from prior management.”
 

Premier League adds additional summer transfer window due to Club World Cup

The Premier League has revealed an additional summer transfer window, which will be open between 1st and 10th June, in order to accommodate the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The window will later reopen on 16th June, and will close on 1st September.

Two English clubs will compete in the expanded, 32-team tournament this summer, namely Chelsea and Manchester City. The extra window will enable both teams to conduct transfer business before the tournament, which will take place from 14th June to 13th July.

Premier League opts against earlier transfer deadline

As reported earlier this week, English football’s top flight was considering bringing the end of this summer’s window forward to 14th August, which would mean all transfer activity would have concluded before the new season kick off on 16th August.

However one potential disadvantage to this would be to persuade other elite European domestic leagues to shut their transfer windows earlier. Therefore, the Premier League’s shareholders have opted not to change the end date of the window at this time.
 

Spain’s 2030 World Cup committee president resigns over host venue controversy

Maria Tato, president of Spain’s 2030 World Cup committee, has resigned, following a scandal regarding the venue selection proces for the tournament.

A report from El Mundo earlier this month alleged that Tato altered the selection criteria for prospective venues at the World Cup. Anoeta Stadium, the home of Real Sociedad, was subsequently added as a host venue, in place of Celta Vigo’s Estadio de Belaidos.

The removal of Vigo as a host destination drew significant backlash from the city, whose mayor, Abel Caballero, had said: “We demand to know who made the changes, why they were made, and based on which criteria.”

Host selection controversy

In a document shared by El Mundo, the Estadio Balaidos was initially listed as the 11th venue in the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) rankings, ahead of the tournament, with the top 11 stadiums set to serve as hosts for the World Cup.

However, a second document, which was sent to FIFA two days later, lists the Anoeta Stadium in the 11th spot, with Vigo’ home dropped down to 12th place.
 

Ex-RFEF president facing 15 and a half year prison sentence

The Spanish public prosecutor’s office is seeking a 15 and a half year prison sentence for former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar, on grounds of alleged corruption and embezzlement, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Villar served as RFEF president from 1988 until 2017, when he was suspended and later sacked by Spain’s administrative court for sport on suspicion of improper management, misappropriation of funds, corruption, and falsifying documents.

The former Spanish football head has been accused of defrauding the RFEF of €4.5 million in funds between 2007 and 2017.

Villar’s son and former RFEF vice president also involved in the case

The prosecutors are alleging that Villar arranged friendly matches involving the Spanish national team, and producing contracts around the fixtures that would benefit both himself, and his son Gorka. These games include friendlies against South Korea, Chile, Venezuela, Peru, and Colombia.

Former RFEF vice president, Juan Padron, is also among the eight people implicated in the trial, and is facing a six and a half year prison sentence.
 

INEOS has reportedly ended its partnership with Tottenham Hotspur, as reported by Mail Online.

The UK-based chemical company, which acquired a 27.7 per cent minority stake in fellow Premier League club Manchester United last year, initially partnered with Spurs in 2022, in a deal that designated the INEOS Grenadier as the club’s 4 x 4 partner.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned INEOS has agreed to an early termination of the five-year contract, which includes a ‘multi-million pound’ pay out.

INEOS exits another sports partnership

The end of INEOS’ agreement with Spurs follows recent terminations of the firm’s deals with Sir Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup team.

Meanwhile, the company is currently facing legal action from New Zealand Rugby, following the cancelation of their deal, which was set to run until 2027.
 

Future of Inverness at ‘significant risk’, says Scottish club

Inverness Caledonian Thistle have revealed in a statement that the Scottish club’s future is at ‘significant risk’, after not receiving any takeover bids before the 6th March deadline.

Despite receiving some interest, potential investors cited three main concerns with purchasing the Scottish League One team, the first of which being the the levels of loans from club directors, which total around £3.5 million.

Prospective buyers also cited the nature of Inverness’s ‘disparate shareholdings’, which would make it more difficult to acquire adequate control of the club, as well as uncertainties regarding the ownership of the land surrounding the team’s Caledonian Stadium home.

Inverness’ financial struggles

Inverness entered administration in October, amid the club’s financial difficulties, and were subsequently docked 15 points by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL).

The club say that their joint administrators are aiming to ‘work towards a resolution’ in order to exit administration and retain their place within the SPFL.
 

UK Government “absolutely committed” to Football Governance Bill

The UK Government has progressed with its Football Governance Bill, which has continued to pass through the House of Lords. A spokesperson from the UK Government told The Times: “We are absolutely committed to introducing an Independent Football Regulator to put fans back at the heart of the game."

“Ministers have been consistently clear that the Bill, which continues to progress through Parliament, will introduce a “light touch” set of rules to improve the sustainability of clubs and help ensure the game continues to thrive in communities for generations to come.”

Once it passes into legislation, the Bill will see the introduction of a new independent regulator to oversee the top five tiers of English men’s football. This comes as part of a plan to protect the financial sustainability of clubs, while providing greater representation for supporters.

The independent regulator’s first chairman

Meanwhile, the Government has reportedly shortlisted three potential candidates to become the chairman of the new Independent Regulator.

These include former Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow, as well as Sanjay Bhandari, who serves as chairman of anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out, with the third candidate unknown.
 

Former presidents of Spanish club Cordoba sentenced to four years in prison

Former presidents of Spanish club Cordoba, Jesus Leon and Carlos Gonzalez, have been sentenced to four years in prison, due to disloyal administration.

The Cordoba Provincial Court determined that the two former executives used club money in February 2014 to fund renovation works at Gonzalez’s house.

Both former executives concealed these payments under invoices from Grupo Constructor Grucal Andalucia, of which Leon served as president, for the construction of the Ciudad Deportiva de la Fundación Córdoba, which never took place.

The court ruling

In addition to their sentences, both Leon and Gonzalez were ordered to pay €1.2 million back in compensation to Cordoba.

Last July, Leon was previously ordered to pay €3.8 million in damages to the club, and received a three-year ban from managing other people’s assets by the Commercial Court of Cordoba.