Can the government force the Abramovich Chelsea money to go to Ukraine? November 8, 2025 This week former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich hit out at the UK government over their handling of the proceeds from the sale of the Blues to a Todd Boehly-fronted consortium, describing the process as “paralysing”. Around £2.3bn is sitting frozen in a bank account with the two parties at odds over whether Ukraine, or “all” [...]
IPO planned for builders of 115,000-capacity World Cup stadium November 7, 2025 The firm building the 115,000-capacity stadium being used in the 2030 Fifa World Cup is planning an IPO to fund a record level of orders. SGTM – whose portfolio is mostly in civil infrastructure – is behind the construction of the Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca, which could host the World Cup final when Morocco [...]
Bullsh*t spin: Labour and Nandy slammed over Kogan football appointment November 7, 2025 Labour has been accused of deploying “bullshit spin” in response to a report criticising the government’s appointment of David Kogan as chair of the Independent Football Regulator. A report by Sir William Shawcross declared that Department of Sport, Media and Culture secretary of state Lisa Nandy had breached the Government Code in appointing the media [...]
Six Nations should stage Ireland matches in USA, but not England ones November 7, 2025 There have been calls this week for Six Nations matches to be played in the United States, and I agree. But it should never be England crossing the Atlantic, and should almost always be Ireland. Andy Farrell’s Ireland successfully staged an epic spectacle at Soldier Field in Chicago against New Zealand. The game was pretty [...]
Most valuable teenage footballers ranking shows Chelsea approach is paying off November 6, 2025 Chelsea’s investment in young talent is bearing fruit, with the club now boasting three of the 11 most valuable teenage footballers in the world, according to a new academic study. Barcelona and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal, 18, is streets ahead at the top of the list compiled by the CIES Football Observatory, with a valuation [...]
Trial of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis begins in Greece November 6, 2025 The trial of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has begun in Greece, with the recognisable Premier League figure accused of instigating football violence and supporting a criminal organisation. Marinakis co-owns Super League Greece side Olympiacos and is on trial in Athens alongside four other board members on misdemeanour charges. The trial stems from charges lodged [...]
Earps fiasco at least sparks much needed debate on culture of women’s sport November 6, 2025 Mary Earps has hit the headlines this week, and provoked a conversation about culture in women’s football “Things have escalated really quickly today, women pitted against each other. It’s gut-wrenching to be portrayed as someone you’re not. I know that the negative is what gets clicks, but it’s sad that’s the only thing being discussed.” [...]
‘This is not a game’: Super League Basketball rejects ‘illegal’ BBF deal November 5, 2025 Super League Basketball has dismissed an attempt by the British Basketball Federation to end the legal battle that has torn the domestic game apart and seen the men’s national team banned before it reaches the High Court. In a letter to the BBF sent on Monday, SLB interim chair Sanjay Bhandari rejected a compromise offer [...]
World’s biggest padel club: Rowland eyes mega project after taking racket sport public November 5, 2025 British entrepreneur Jonathan Rowland has stepped up plans to build the world’s biggest padel venue by creating the first listed investment vehicle focused on niche racket sports. Rowland today announced a deal to use Aquis-listed VVV Sports to acquire his R3 Sport, which operates tournaments, manages players, and has retail and distribution partnerships in padel. [...]
Abramovich hits out at UK government over frozen £2.3bn Chelsea proceeds November 5, 2025 Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has criticised the government over moves that have “paralysed” his £2.3bn windfall from the sale of the Premier League club. Following the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian billionaire sold the Stamford Bridge club to a consortium fronted by American Todd Boehly, with the proceeds placed in a frozen bank account [...]