Fifa’s disciplinary rules have changed: What clubs, players and agents need to know now October 24, 2026 Amendments to Fifa’s Disciplinary Code from January 2027 have attracted attention, but most of the changes have already been binding for almost six months. The May 2026 edition of the Code introduced changes affecting clubs, players, agents and their advisers, while January will introduce further changes around domestic enforcement. The immediate exposure Deadlines are one [...]
Royal Antwerp: Legal bid to torch football’s homegrown quotas suffers shock defeat October 23, 2026 A bid to rip up European football’s rules on homegrown player quotas – likened to the landmark Bosman ruling – has been dismissed in a surprise move by a Belgian court. The case, brought by Royal Antwerp and former player Lior Refaelov, had been expected to be upheld after the European Court of Justice gave [...]
Super League nears NRL investment but deal could be delayed until 2028 October 23, 2026 A deal for the Australian NRL to buy a stake in Super League, England’s top rugby league competition, is nearing completion but may not begin until 2028, prompting concern for London Broncos, City AM understands. Executives from the sport’s two premier competitions – including Rugby League commercial managing director Rhodri Jones and Aussie rugby league [...]
Top Premier League clubs to be billed £1.8m each for Independent Football Regulator October 23, 2026 Top Premier League clubs will be asked to pay almost £2m a year towards the running of the Independent Football Regulator after the watchdog published its proposed levy. The IFR’s costs will be recouped via a tax on clubs from next year, with those teams earning the most set to contribute the biggest portion of [...]
London Irish target pro return next year after takeover by Essex entrepreneur October 23, 2026 London Irish are targeting a return to the English professional pyramid next season after being acquired by rugby-loving Essex energy entrepreneur Steve Daniels. Gamechanger Investments, led by Daniels, has bought the name, brand and associated intellectual property relating to the historic club, which went out of business in 2023, from Kyle Jordan, son of late [...]
Fifa boss Infantino’s re-election bid boosted as Asian chiefs complete spectacular climbdown October 23, 2026 Asian football chiefs have U-turned and backed Fifa president Gianni Infantino for re-election just weeks after accusing him of “a fundamental breach of trust”. The move is another nail in the coffin of the bid to oust Infantino over his secret World Cup sell-off plan and leaves European governing body Uefa increasingly isolated in opposition. [...]
Sport’s hypocrisy: Claiming to be inclusive while charging prohibitive ticket prices October 23, 2026 Sport’s hiking of ticket prices for live sport is completely at odds with many of its marketing efforts and risks alienating future generations of would-be fans, writes Matt Readman. Last week, a BBC Sport investigation revealed just how sharply the cost of watching live sport has risen in the UK. Across the Ashes, the Open, [...]
Spain must host 2035 Rugby World Cup because Europe is sport’s commercial hub October 23, 2026 Just imagine watching a Rugby World Cup final at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou. It would be sensational. And it is not beyond the realms of possibility anymore after Spain announced its intention to bid for the 2035 tournament. Going up against Japan, which staged the tournament successfully – albeit with a typhoon interrupting proceedings – [...]
Bayern Munich valued at £3.1bn as German energy giant buys stake in Harry Kane’s club October 22, 2026 German football giants Bayern Munich have been valued at £3.1bn after taking minority investment from long-standing sponsor Viessmann Generations Group. Viessmann Generations Group has acquired 6.7 per cent of Bayern Munich AG, the commercial entity that houses the professional club and all its business operations, in a transaction local media reported as being worth €250m [...]
Government must cut red tape to fuel football stadium development October 22, 2026 Investing in a football stadium can be the difference between sinking and swimming and the government must play a role, writes Joseph Smith. It is fair to say that the Independent Football Regulator’s draft State of the Game report provides the most comprehensive analysis of English football’s finances to date. Published last week and open [...]