Could Ademola Lookman take legal action over Atalanta coach’s criticism? February 22, 2025 Footballer Ademola Lookman found himself at the centre of a storm this week when his Atalanta coach publicly derided his penalty taking skills. But did Gian Piero Gasperini go too far? Lawyer Chris Deeley explores the case. We all make mistakes at work occasionally. Sometimes, we are also unlucky enough to have our bosses call [...]
Arsenal cash in on Champions League return with record revenue February 19, 2025 Arsenal’s return to the Champions League and lucrative new sponsorship deals boosted the club’s revenue by 32 per cent to a record £616.6m last year. The £150m increase came from improved matchday, broadcast and commercial revenues and puts Arsenal behind only Manchester City and Manchester United for income in the Premier League. But £256m of [...]
Football chanting to lead to cocaine tests by police February 17, 2025 Football fans arrested for pitch invasions or tragedy chanting face cocaine tests by police as part of a Home Office crackdown on drug use at matches. The government has announced the plans as it steps up efforts to tackle the “root causes of reoffending and reduce criminal behaviour”. The 2023-24 football season saw 344 arrests [...]
Fan pressure tells as Liverpool freeze ticket prices for next season February 17, 2025 Premier League leaders Liverpool have bowed to supporter pressure and frozen ticket prices for next season. The decision to increase prices by two per cent this term sparked fan protests and accusations of greed being aimed at the club’s US owners, Fenway Sports Group. But there will be no repeat for the 2025-26 campaign after [...]
Arsenal injury crisis is down to overworked players, says Arteta February 14, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sounded the alarm over player workload, saying his team’s injury crisis is “a consequence” of increasing demands on footballers. Arteta said he was training his squad “less than ever” in a bid to balance a schedule that can require European football’s top stars to play 60-70 games a season. His [...]
PSR is dead, long live PSR: Premier League clubs agree to keep hated rules February 13, 2025 Premier League clubs have agreed to continue with the existing profit and sustainability rules (PSR) for one more season amid concerns over a legal threat from the PFA and the ongoing legal challenges from Manchester City. At a meeting in London earlier today the 20 clubs unanimously agreed to continue trialling new Squad Cost Ratio [...]
Premier League gives green light to semi-automated offsides February 13, 2025 The Premier League has moved a step closer to implementing semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) after announcing it will be trialled in the FA Cup fifth round next month. The introduction of SAOT in the English top-flight was scheduled for last autumn but has been repeatedly held up due to league chiefs’ concerns over its reliability [...]
ECB open to playing Hundred matches overseas after £1bn sale February 13, 2025 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says it would be open to staging Hundred matches overseas following the sale of stakes in all eight franchises that values them at close to £1bn. The ECB will retain control of the competition but has pledged to engage with its powerful coterie of new investors, who include [...]
Manchester City’s £20m carrot in Real Madrid Champions League tie February 10, 2025 Manchester City will be playing for a potential £20m in prize money when they take on holders Real Madrid in their Champions League knockout play-off tie on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola’s struggling side will bank an additional €10m (£8m) just for progressing from the two-legged tie against the Spanish giants and reaching the last 16. That [...]
EFL board set to discuss National League promotion demand February 5, 2025 The EFL board will meet on Thursday amid renewed pressure from the entire National League to increase the number of promotion places from two to three. All 72 National League clubs, which represent the fifth and sixth tiers of English football, wrote to the EFL this week demanding the increase with immediate effect. The issue [...]