Anti-US sentiment and Iran to have major World Cup security impact May 5, 2026 Anti-US sentiment and the conflict in Iran is set to have a major impact on the Fifa World Cup, security experts have warned. The United States – which is currently engaged in a conflict with World Cup qualifiers Iran – will host the majority of this summer’s tournament, which kicks off in just over a [...]
Mercedes bid for Alpine could be blocked by FIA multi-team rule change May 4, 2026 FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has hinted that motorsport’s world governing body could prevent Mercedes from buying a minority stake in Formula 1 competitor Alpine. Mercedes is among the bidders for a 24 per cent stake in Alpine that has been put up for sale by Otro Capital. Former Red Bull principal Christian Horner is [...]
Ascot quits Racecourse Association as Jockey Club sets ultimatum May 4, 2026 Ascot chiefs have quit the Racecourse Association after the industry body failed to resolve “structural governance concerns” to its satisfaction. The Jockey Club, Ascot, Goodwood, Newbury and York racecourses wrote to the RCA to demand changes earlier this year. The Jockey Club has given the RCA more time to deliver reforms but Ascot has served [...]
Track Radio bets on sport, music and BBC veterans to prove winning formula May 4, 2026 Track Radio launches today, on a mission to reach a neglected audience with a blend of sport and music, and a strong presenter line-up, founder Iain Macintosh explains. Sport and music have always been happy bedfellows – Mick Jagger and cricket, Elton John and football, Snoop Dogg and, well, just about anything – so it’s [...]
Gloucester Rugby secure £300k fan investment at £36.5m valuation May 4, 2026 Gloucester Rugby have raised £300k from a fan investment cycle at a valuation of £36.5m as investment in the Prem continues. With 23 days left on their public raise, the Prem Rugby strugglers have achieved a fresh goal of having £300,000 in commitments. The 122 investors have pledged an average of over £2,500 apiece but [...]
Roland Garros targeted by WTA and ATP tennis players as pay row reignited May 4, 2026 The row between the world’s top tennis players and the four grand slams continues to rage on after WTA and ATP stars hit out at Roland Garros over prize money. This year’s French Open increased prize money across the board ahead of the 125th edition of the Parisian tournament – up nearly 10 per cent [...]
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 [...]
NBA-EuroLeague talks at an impasse, adding uncertainty to bidding process May 1, 2026 With a former NBA man installed at the top of EuroLeague, conciliatory noises coming from both camps and fresh talks held this week about cooperation, the prospects of a peace deal between basketball’s two biggest club organisers looked to be better than ever. But following the meeting, at the headquarters of world governing body Fiba [...]
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 [...]