Fifa biennial World Cup claims questioned by sport industry experts December 21, 2021 Leading figures in sports marketing have questioned Fifa’s claim that switching to biennial men’s World Cups would drive a huge revenue increase. Football’s world governing body revived the argument to stage its showpiece more regularly on Monday by presenting research that estimated the change would boost income by 60 per cent over the first four [...]
European Club Association boss Al-Khelaifi promises loan fund for clubs hit by pandemic, Financial Fair Play shake-up and Uefa joint venture September 6, 2021 Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the chairman of the European Club Association, has outlined a series of measures that he says will bring “urgent financial stability” to the game across the continent. Al-Khelaifi, also the president of Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of the beIN Media Group, promised a multi-billion Euro loan facility and new Financial Fair Play rules [...]
Christian Eriksen in stable condition in hospital after collapsing during Denmark Euro 2020 match against Finland June 12, 2021 Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is in a stable condition in hospital after collapsing during the Euro 2020 match against Finland on Saturday. Eriksen received CPR on the field in Copenhagen after falling to the ground as he chased the ball. The goalless opening match of Group B was suspended for two hours, before resuming later [...]
England fined €30,000 for laser pointer incident in Denmark semi-final July 10, 2021 UEFA has fined England €30,000 (£25,600) for a series of incidents at Wembley during the historic victory over Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020. A laser pointer was shone in the eyes of Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as he was preparing to face a penalty kick from England skipper Harry Kane. Schmeichel saved the [...]
Exclusive: Powerleague chief on price rises and making the ‘tinder of grassroots football’ November 18, 2022 On the eve of the World Cup, grassroots football is the focus for Powerleague boss Christian Rose, who has dragged it out of red and through pandemic with a metaphorical Cruyff Turn. The CEO has been in post for four years after being brought in during 2018 when the company was “not in great shape.” [...]
Report finds ‘collective failure’ after England Euros final disorder December 3, 2021 The report by Baroness Louise Casey concluded about 2,000 people got into the England v Italy game illegally for the match on 11 July this year. “Ticketless, drunken and drugged-up thugs” could have caused death as they stormed Wembley before the Euro 2020 final, said a review into the disorder. Casey described “an appalling scene [...]
Spotify Camp Nou: Streaming giant pens £250m sponsorship with Barcelona March 16, 2022 Spotify have agreed a four-year sponsorship deal with Barcelona worth £250m that will result in the club’s stadium being renamed “Spotify Camp Nou” from July. The streaming giant will feature on the front of the men’s and women’s team shirts for the next four seasons, replacing Japanese firm Rakuten as the main sponsor. It comes [...]
Up to 1,000 Italy fans to be flown to UK for Euro 2020 final July 8, 2021 Italy’s footballers have been granted a boost after Uefa struck a deal to allow up to 1,000 fans to travel to London for the Euro 2020 final at Wembley on Sunday. Uefa, European football’s governing body, has secured approval from the government to allow a maximum of 1,000 supporters to attend the game, subject to [...]
England stars Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell ruled out of Czech Republic game and could miss last-16 match June 22, 2021 England players Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell will miss tonight’s Euro 2020 game against the Czech Republic after being told they must self-isolate. Midfielder Mount and left-back Chilwell could also be forced out of England’s game in the last 16, if the team fail to win their group. The pair had close contact with Scotland’s [...]
Competitive rugby and global calendar shouldn’t come at cost of player welfare July 12, 2022 If you were to assess the hopes of the Home Nations as they crossed the equator to play their annual summer rugby series, you’d have been forgiven for suggesting they weren’t too high. But two thirds of the way through each of the tours – Ireland in New Zealand, England in Australia, Wales in South [...]