Three charts that show the chasm between Manchester United and Brighton’s spending April 22, 2023 Manchester United’s vast financial advantage over Brighton is illustrated by analysis of both clubs’ spending over the last decade as they prepare to meet in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. When Manchester United last met Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in the 1983 FA Cup final replay, it was already a financial mismatch. Although [...]
US and Mexico launch bid for 2027 football Women’s World Cup April 20, 2023 The US are planning to bid for the Fifa Women’s World Cup hosting rights alongside neighbours Mexico. If the bid was to be successful they’d host the quadrennial tournament in 2027, a year after the US, Canada and Mexico are hosting the men’s version of the same tournament. Other bids for the tournament are set [...]
Moyes backs experience to get West Ham over line in Europa Conference League April 19, 2023 West Ham United manager David Moyes has insisted that recent European experience can help the Hammers beat Gent in their Europa League Conference quarter-final second leg tie and reach the final four of the competition. The Londoners drew 1-1 in Belgium last week after a Danny Ings goal was cancelled out by a Hugo Cuypers [...]
Premier League ‘shutting the door on those below’ by ‘distorting competition’ April 19, 2023 MPs have accused the Premier League of “shutting the door on those below” with the parachute payments system of financial redistribution to relegated football clubs. Julian Knight, chairman of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee, urged England’s leading clubs to find a “fairer solution” that doesn’t have a “distorting effect on competition”. [...]
Pep Guardiola says future at Manchester City ‘undecided’ ahead of Bayern Munich clash in Champions League April 18, 2023 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his future with the Premier League champions remains undecided ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich tomorrow. Guardiola’s side lead Bayern 3-0 having blown the German champions away when they visited the Etihad Stadium last week. “There are talks in the background,” said the 52-year-old, [...]
First football, now padel: US investors take fight to Qatar for future of the racket sport April 18, 2023 Heard the one about the historically European sports property turbo-charged by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth and now in the crosshairs of serial sports investors from the US? This isn’t football, though, but padel, the fast-growing racket sport now at the centre of a tug of war between rival competitions backed by the Qatari owners of [...]
IN PICTURES: See Manchester City’s plans for £300m upgrade to Etihad Stadium April 18, 2023 Premier League champions Manchester City have formally submitted a planning application for a £300m upgrade of their Etihad Stadium that would take capacity to more than 60,000. The improvements are centred on the North Stand, which is to get a new, enlarged upper tier and will connect to a new complex featuring a hotel, club [...]
Lampard happy with Boehly being in Chelsea changing rooms April 17, 2023 Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard insists he is comfortable with the club’s co-owner Todd Boehly playing an active role in the dressing room ahead of Tuesday’s must-win Champions League clash with Real Madrid. Boehly reportedly gave a speech after the Blues’ 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday in which he singled out one player for [...]
Trevor Steven: Fixture pile-up means Manchester City MUST beat Arsenal in title showdown April 17, 2023 At this stage in a delicately poised Premier League title race you are looking for little signs of where the trophy might be heading, and in the last week Arsenal and Manchester City have provided some. On Sunday at West Ham, leaders Arsenal put themselves firmly in control with two early goals, only to let [...]
Leeds, Chelsea, Crystal Palace: Why have so many clubs chosen short-term managers? April 17, 2023 When Javi Gracia made a surprise return to the Premier League in February he signed a contract with Leeds United which the club described as “flexible”. In reality, it meant a short-term deal guaranteed only until the end of the season, when it could be extended if all parties agreed. Since then, five more clubs [...]