Fifa consider expanding Club World Cup despite player welfare fears October 1, 2025 Fifa’s Club World Cup could expand from 32 teams for future editions despite concerns about the toll on player welfare. Global player union Fifpro this week sounded the alarm over the impact of the revamped competition on its members, some of whom were left with less than a fortnight to prepare for the new season. [...]
Club World Cup left Chelsea with less than two weeks’ pre-season September 29, 2025 Winners Chelsea were among the teams hardest hit by participating in the Club World Cup, exposing their players to greater risk of injury, according to a report by footballers’ union Fifpro. Reaching the final of the revamped competition in the US this summer left Chelsea with just 13 days of pre-season preparations before beginning the [...]
Cold Palmer: What footballer’s wine row tells us about trade mark protection September 28, 2025 The recent “Cold Palmer” trade mark case, which saw Chelsea and England footballer Cole Palmer’s application challenged by a vineyard, is a reminder that, whatever walk of business you are in, trade mark registrations are an essential part of business planning. Being a sports personality does not grant you extra rights in your name, likeness [...]
2026 World Cup: San Francisco and Seattle could lose games, says Trump September 26, 2025 US President Donald Trump has floated the possibility of moving 2026 World Cup games away from San Francisco and Seattle if the host cities are deemed to be unsafe. The first 48-team World Cup is being co-hosted with Canada and Mexico but will be held mostly in the US, with San Francisco and Seattle currently [...]
New Balance Arena: Atalanta strike stadium naming rights deal September 25, 2025 Italian football club Atalanta have deepened their ties to the US by agreeing a stadium naming rights deal with sportswear brand New Balance. Boston-based New Balance became the Bergamo team’s kit supplier this season and has quickly doubled down by expanding the partnership. Atalanta are owned by US private equity boss and former Chelsea bidder [...]
Transfer guru and Emery ally Monchi set to leave Aston Villa September 23, 2025 Aston Villa transfer guru Monchi looks set to pay for the club’s dismal start to the season by leaving the club after little more than two years. The Spaniard, a close ally of current Villa boss Unai Emery from their time at Sevilla, is widely reported to be departing amid a troubled period for the [...]
Lincoln City to land six-figure windfall from Chelsea cup tie September 22, 2025 League One high-flyers Lincoln City are set for a six-figure windfall from their Carabao Cup third-round tie with Chelsea on Tuesday. The biggest match at the LNER Stadium for five years – since Liverpool visited, and won 7-2, in September 2020 – is expected to boost the club’s coffers by around £250,000. On top of [...]
Nottingham Forest ban threat over first European match for 30 years September 22, 2025 Nottingham Forest have warned they may ban any fans who try to sneak into the home section for their first European match in 30 years, against Real Betis in Seville this week. Forest said they had been alerted by Betis and Spanish police that some supporters had already successfully bought seats among the home contingent [...]
Arsenal board: Who are CEO and directors after shake-up? September 19, 2025 Arsenal have promoted Richard Garlick to CEO following a major boardroom overhaul that includes the shock departure of executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis. The shake-up just weeks into the new season also sees TV producer and Arsenal fan Ben Winston join the board along with three close associates of owners the Kroenke family. Garlick’s elevation comes [...]
Manchester United record sixth consecutive loss despite cuts September 17, 2025 Manchester United have reported a loss for the sixth consecutive year although their financial performance did improve in 2024-25 thanks to record revenue of £666.5m. United made a net loss of £33m, taking the club’s total losses to £391m since 2019-20, although that was markedly down on the previous year’s £131m deficit. Revenue grew by [...]