Can the Saudi Pro League buy a reputation for good, watchable football? August 4, 2023 It is difficult not to look to the Saudi Pro League with a sense of admiration. Many will disagree with the methods of the Saudi Arabian clubs – throwing money at players until they nod and accept a transfer to the Middle East – but others will argue that other leagues, especially in Europe, had [...]
Championship clubs need to make money, but Sheffield Wednesday are taking the mick August 3, 2023 The Championship kicks of on Friday evening as nearly 3,000 Southampton fans make the eight-hour round trip to Sheffield Wednesday. Football’s second tier is crazy; 46 matches with 24 clubs stretching from Plymouth to Sunderland, Swansea to Norwich. In 2019 the average away ticket would set you back £27.04, but data from TheAwayFans states that [...]
England’s World Cup path becoming clearer by the day August 3, 2023 The Lionesses’ route to a potential World Cup final will become a lot clearer today with the final two group games taking place in Australia. South Korea take on Germany and Morocco play Colombia with places in the last 16 at stake. England knew, after they demolished China 6-1 on Tuesday, that they’d take on [...]
‘Sooner The Hundred is scrapped the better, the Ashes shone’ August 3, 2023 I’ve had a tough summer so far on behalf of readers, dragging myself from Ashes to Ashes – a day at each of the five men’s Tests plus one of the women’s T20s. From the maddening Rubik’s Cube of ticket application ballots last autumn, through the tyranny of rail strikes, to the final dose of [...]
What is the Wrexham effect and how is it impacting sports betting? August 3, 2023 Wrexham AFC’s meteoric rise to fame, thanks to the docuseries ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ has caused sports betting to skyrocket in a phenomenon that has been dubbed the ‘Wrexham Effect’. Gambling giant Entain’s UK sportsbook reported a nearly 60 per cent surge in bets during the National League’s 2021-22 season compared to 2017-18 – the 2019-20 [...]
Scrapping Premier League relegation on table after flood of new private equity August 3, 2023 Private equity buyers flooding into Premier League and European football are likely to want more of a say over the rules of the game, top lawyers have told City A.M., including the potential introduction of ‘closed leagues’ without promotion or relegation. The value of deals in Europe’s top five leagues – England, France, Germany, Italy [...]
Klopp laughs off idea of signing Mbappe on loan August 1, 2023 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has laughed off any suggestion of the Premier League side securing a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. The German insisted that his side think the France captain is a good player but financial conditions that come with any deal aren’t suitable. Mbappe has been linked with a move [...]
England smash China to reach Fifa Women’s World Cup last 16 August 1, 2023 England’s Lionesses toppled China 6-1 today to progress through to the last 16 of the Fifa Women’s World Cup Down Under. The result means Sarina Wiegman’s team will take on Nigeria in their first knockout match next week. England had almost limped their way through their group stage – Group D – with laboured 1-0 [...]
Wiegman must bring fear factor out of England at World Cup August 1, 2023 England’s Lionesses are on the brink of qualifying for the last 16 at the Fifa Women’s World Cup but they’re not there yet, and today’s opponents China can be their undoing. But Sarina Wiegman’s side are currently unbeaten in the tournament – which is being staged in Australia and New Zealand – after 1-0 victories [...]
£880,000 fine for Leicester City confirmed by watchdog July 31, 2023 The Competition and Markets Authority has confirmed the sanctions it has imposed on Championship club Leicester City and JD Sports as part of a case relating to shirt restrictions. A fine of £880,000 has been imposed on the 2015-16 Premier League champions while JD’s decision to report the conduct to the CMA sees them benefit [...]