‘The correct decision’: Reaction as West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta cleared July 31, 2025 West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing after an independent panel found charges of deliberately incurring yellow cards to be not proven, the Football Association has confirmed. It comes two years after the FA announced an investigation into the Brazil international midfielder, a development blamed for derailing Paqueta’s likely £85m transfer [...]
Chloe Kelly and the Lionesses are marketing gold. Brands take note July 31, 2025 In a world gripped by political instability and economic uncertainty, the Lionesses offer something powerful: focus, momentum, and cultural relevance. Sunday’s nail-biting Euro 2025 win wasn’t just a sporting triumph. It was a commercial line in the sand. The Lionesses aren’t a moment – they’re a movement. And for brands, the message is clear: the [...]
Is director training the answer to football’s governance woes? July 31, 2025 A new study suggests reforming football governance by testing and training directors. But is the regulator capable, asks Ed Warner? Countless millions follow professional football in England, claiming allegiance to a favourite club whose fortunes are entwined daily with each individual’s emotions, their highs and lows in seemingly unavoidable synchronicity. Turns out these essential forces [...]
Football clubs suffering from too few directors, report warns July 30, 2025 All professional football clubs in England should be mandated to have at least three directors to prevent governance failings that threaten their existence, a new report warns today. The report, by LCP’s Sports Analytics and Advisory practice and governance specialists LawDeb, highlights worryingly small boards at many clubs in the top five divisions. Fourteen clubs [...]
Woad to success: How amateur Lottie took golf by storm July 30, 2025 “No, I’m not tempted to turn pro yet,” insisted England’s Lottie Woad after winning the Women’s Irish Open, her first Ladies European Tour title, as an amateur earlier this month. Just three weeks later, she is not only a fully-fledged pro but the bookmakers’ favourite to win the Women’s Open, which starts on Thursday. It [...]
ECB hails ‘exciting new phase’ after six Hundred deals completed July 30, 2025 England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson has welcomed “an exciting new phase” for cricket after confirming completion of the sale of six stakes in The Hundred franchises. The six deals formally finalised ahead of next week’s fifth season include London Spirit, Birmingham Phoenix, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Southern Brave and Welsh Fire. Despite [...]
Turnberry should host another Open, says Donald Trump’s son July 30, 2025 Donald Trump’s son says the US President “deserves” to have his Turnberry golf course host another Open Championship. Turnberry in South Ayrshire last hosted The Open in 2009, five years before President Trump bought the celebrated golf resort. “It deserves it, and I truly think that my father’s been a guy who also deserves it,” [...]
NBA to return to London for first time in seven years July 30, 2025 The NBA is to stage a regular-season game in London 2026, ending its seven-year absence from the capital. The Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic will play a regular-season game at the O2 Arena on 18 January 2026. This is the first time an NBA game will be held in the capital since 2019, while [...]
Fleet of robots replaces human mowers at Women’s Open July 30, 2025 Organisers of the Women’s Open teeing off at Royal Porthcawl tomorrow have revealed their secret weapon for keeping the course in pristine condition: robots. A fleet of 15 autonomous mowers which use satellite technology to detect their location are being used to manicure all fairways and practice areas at the venue in Wales. This represents [...]
Revolut enters F1 with title sponsorship of new Audi team July 30, 2025 Revolut has announced its entry into Formula 1 as title partner of the new Audi F1 team, which will compete from next year. The partnership has been described as long-term and will see the fintech giant – currently the subject of a clash between Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Bank of England boss Andrew Bailey – [...]