Netflix defends Beat Luke Littler line-up after backlash at pros’ inclusion October 27, 2026 Netflix insists that Fallon Sherrock and other faces from the PDC circuit were made to queue up and audition alongside thousands of hopefuls before being selected for its new live show, Beat Luke Littler. The programme has attracted a backlash from darts fans after it was initially billed as a chance for pub players to [...]
Knicks trade publicly as MSG chief Dolan nets $10m pay-out October 27, 2026 The New York Knicks became the first NBA team in nearly two decades to be traded publicly on Tuesday after a spin-out by owners Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. The Big Apple firm created two companies for its two sports franchises – the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers ice hockey team – [...]
Fifa and Infantino at centre of escalating row among Asian football chiefs October 27, 2026 The war of words in Asian football over the future of Fifa president Gianni Infantino has escalated further after regional chiefs turned on critic Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan. Asia has become a key battleground for Infantino as he looks to extend his decade-long tenure at next year’s elections despite a widespread backlash to [...]
China, Australia and the Pacific: How rugby is shaping soft power arms race October 27, 2026 Rugby union and league are growing in the Indo-Pacific, as is the investment from central governments of dominant regional powers. Matt Hardy asks why. Amid the disruption at airports in Saudi Arabia, the limited access through the Strait of Hormuz and the nagging feeling that the world is on the verge of doom, soft power [...]
Major Chinese brands drop Mbappe over Chairman Mao meme jokes October 27, 2026 Two major Chinese sponsors of Kylian Mbappe have dropped their support for the footballer after the Frenchman made jokes about Chairman Mao Zedong. Dairy producer Mengniu and drinks firm Dongpeng have dropped the Ballon d’Or runner-up after he reportedly told French TV a meme “that makes me laugh the most…the one where there’s a video [...]
Exclusive: Prem Rugby CEO set for US trip to woo banks and private equity October 27, 2026 Prem Rugby chief Simon Massie-Taylor will embark on a Stateside schmooze next month in a bid to drum up investment into the English game, City AM understands. The chief executive is set to use the break in play provided by November’s international schedule to head to the United States, just weeks after holding talks with [...]
Amir Khan’s union the GFA hires £500-an-hour silk to probe fighters’ rights October 27, 2026 Amir Khan’s trade union for combat sports, the Global Fighters’ Association, has hired top barrister Jonathan Caplan KC to lead an investigation into boxing and MMA. The GFA is aiming to raise £500,000 through crowdfunding to complete its certification as a union and launch the three-month inquiry into the safety, governance and treatment of fighters [...]
Fifa election twist as Prince Ali drops ‘coercion, threats and bribes’ claim October 26, 2026 Infighting in Asia over the future of Fifa has taken a fresh twist after Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan appeared to retract claims of “coercion, threats” and “bribes”. Prince Ali spoke out in a social media post on Sunday, days after the head of the Asian Football Confederation, Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al [...]
Sheikh Mansour doubles down on Manchester City with £100m injection despite legal row October 26, 2026 Sheikh Mansour has reaffirmed his commitment to City Football Group despite Manchester City’s ongoing legal battle with the Premier League by investing a further £100m. Filings at Companies House show that 11,327,163 new shares in CFG were allotted on 14 October, raising the nine-figure sum. A spokesperson for CFG confirmed to City AM that the [...]
Budget 2026: Will Chancellor help or hinder football finances? October 26, 2026 While the Autumn Budget always prompts speculation in finance, hospitality or retail, its impact on football should not be underestimated. Clubs are still reckoning with the impact of the previous new measures in recent Budget announcements, with even more shortly on their way. At a time when the books of England’s biggest clubs are under [...]