Lidl owner Schwarz Group scores landmark Uefa partnership March 17, 2026 Uefa, European football’s governing body, has announced its first organisation-wide sponsorship deal with the parent company of discount retailer Lidl. Schwarz Group has become Uefa’s corporate strategic partner in an agreement that encompasses competition sponsorship, grassroots initiatives and recycling efforts. Lidl, already a partner of Uefa’s Europa League and Conference League as well as women’s [...]
2026 World Cup: Iran asks Fifa to move games from US to Mexico March 17, 2026 Iran has asked Fifa to move its 2026 World Cup games from the US to Mexico as the wrangling over the war-torn country’s participation continues. The Iranian embassy in Mexico posted a statement on social media saying that talks were ongoing over the possible solution after President Trump suggested that it may not be safe [...]
High risk club owners facing triple ultimatum from football regulator March 17, 2026 English club owners will be required to inject funds, reduce debt or slash outgoings if they are deemed to be “high-risk” by the Independent Football Regulator. Under new licensing proposals published today, clubs will have to demonstrate that they have the financial resources to withstand major shocks such as relegation or withdrawal of owner funding [...]
Sheffield Wednesday: Football regulator already in talks over new club owners March 16, 2026 The Independent Football Regulator has already begun holding talks over specific prospective buyers of English clubs, including Sheffield Wednesday. The IFR will assume responsibility from the English Football League (EFL) for vetting club owners and directors from May so have asked for any takeovers and board appointments currently under discussion to be flagged by the [...]
Chelsea hit with £11m fine and Premier League transfer ban March 16, 2026 Chelsea have been slapped with a £11m fine and a transfer ban for breaching Premier League rules under their previous ownership. An investigation into the London club found “undisclosed payments by third parties associated with the club were made to players, unregistered agents and other third parties” between 2011 and 2018, when the club was [...]
Carabao Cup: Energy drink’s lager set for UK after deal extension March 16, 2026 Energy drink Carabao has extended its sponsorship of the League Cup through until the end of the decade in a deal that will see the UK launch of Carabao Lager. Manchester City and Arsenal clash in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley with the match’s title sponsor agreeing a further two-year deal with the EFL [...]
Arsenal: Leading the digital charge as well as the Premier League March 14, 2026 If Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy this season, it won’t just be a victory on the pitch; the club could also win the race to redefine how fans engage with football online. Arsenal are building a quiet revolution, investing in digital platforms that house ticketing, merchandise and original content to pull fans deeper into [...]
Iran hit back at Trump and Fifa: US should be axed from World Cup, not us March 13, 2026 Iran’s national football team has hit back at President Trump after he warned that it may not be safe for them to take up their place at this summer’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. Trump’s comments appeared designed to discourage Iran from participating, despite Fifa insisting the US had offered assurances following [...]
Man City Puma kit deal helps UK sponsorship market hit £5bn March 12, 2026 Manchester City’s Puma kit extension helped the UK sponsorship market top £5bn in 2025, up over 10 per cent on 2024. City signed a record-breaking 10-year kit partnership extension last year which could be worth around £100m per season. It, combined with other sponsorship activity across the UK saw the sector grow 10.5 per cent [...]
England and Scotland World Cup games saved by Patriots owner Kraft deal March 12, 2026 Billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has helped to resolve a row over security costs that was threatening England and Scotland games at this summer’s World Cup. Local authorities in Foxborough, near Boston, were refusing to grant a licence for seven fixtures due to be staged at the Gillette Stadium owing to fears the [...]