Why we can’t just dismiss Infantino’s sports diplomacy with Trump May 3, 2026 Former FCDO special adviser, Flint Global’s Alan Sendorek, discusses the sport diplomacy playing out with Fifa’s Infantino and Trump at its centre. Gianni Infantino’s efforts to cultivate a visibly warm relationship with Donald Trump have been mocked in many quarters. From the award of the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize to hailing the President as ‘my [...]
Why Sunderland’s away kit legal row is a warning to all sports May 2, 2026 An artist is taking legal action against Sunderland over the design of the club’s away kit. Lawyer and IP expert Geoff Cunningham explains the dispute. Clubs, brands and sponsors are busy finalising kit launches, merchandise and commercial campaigns for next season and a summer of international football. But this week a dispute involving Sunderland AFC [...]
Death of Football Focus is a signal for every brand at the World Cup May 1, 2026 Brands will spend fortunes on this summer’s World Cup but they should heed the BBC’s warning when scrapping Football Focus, writes Amar Singh. I grew up with Football Focus. Saturday lunchtime, Bob Wilson in a grey suit, grainy footage of some Division Two ground in the rain. It was the traditional seat-warmer for a weekend [...]
London music venues to open for World Cup as pubs face last orders April 30, 2026 Some of London’s top music venues are making the most of early pub closures during the Fifa World Cup by opening up their doors during the football. Outernet, Electric Brixton and Colour Factory are opening their doors for England and Scotland matches – as well as a number of knockout ties – during this summer’s [...]
Newcastle United’s Saudi owners in town for stadium discussions April 29, 2026 Newcastle United’s Saudi Arabian owners are on Tyneside this week to discuss the future of St James’ Park and plans for a £100m boost. Whether the Premier League club redevelop their famous ground or build a new one in the adjacent Leazes Park remains a contentious point for the club’s ownership and fanbase. But a [...]
2026 World Cup prize money boosted as Fifa counts on $11bn revenue bonanza April 29, 2026 Fifa has topped up prize money for the 2026 World Cup after teams raised concerns about the cost of competing in a tournament that spans the US, Canada and Mexico. Football’s world governing body has approved an increase in total payouts from the $727m it announced in December to $871m, raising the guaranteed sum for [...]
West Brom shock at 24-hour verdict while Manchester City case drags on April 29, 2026 West Bromwich Albion have been left shocked at how swiftly the judgement was reached in the EFL Profit and Sustainability case that cost them a points deduction. Last week it was announced that the Championship club would be docked two points for a breach of spending rules. The two-day hearing concluded on Thursday evening, and [...]
Brighton and Hove Albion to build new stadium next to Amex April 28, 2026 Brighton and Hove Albion have revealed plans to build a new stadium next to the Amex Stadium for their women’s team. The proposals are over two years in the works but the club released renderings of the stadium, which will be able to house 10,000 fans. And it will be the first purpose-built stadium for [...]
Everton line up CMC Markets as shirt sponsor in £30m deal April 28, 2026 Everton have struck a shirt-sponsorship deal with CMC Markets that will see the London-listed company replace crypto casino Stake.com as the club’s main partner next season. The agreement comes ahead of an imminent Premier League ban on gambling companies appearing on the front of their shirts and was first reported by Mark Kleinman of Sky [...]
A.Gain: the owners of Atletico Madrid and Leeds United that you’ve never heard of April 28, 2026 A.Gain owns chunks of Leeds United and Atletico Madrid and has just launched a $150m fund to accelerate its take on multi-club ownership. These are heady days for Bobby Aitkenhead, a former college basketball player who also represented his native Guatemala. He is co-founder and one of the managing partners of A.Gain’s sports fund, which [...]