Ed Warner: Why 2022 is the year of the sportswash January 5, 2022 A city without snow and a state in the desert. Obvious places to hold the Winter Olympics and World Cup if you are the International Olympic Committee and football governing body Fifa. Welcome to 2022, the Year of the Sportswash. The principal outdoor venues for Beijing 2022 are – on a good day – 90 [...]
Lukaku returns to Chelsea squad after being dropped over comments January 4, 2022 Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has apologised to manager Thomas Tuchel and has returned to the squad after being dropped for comments he made about his position at the London club. The 28-year-old Belgian said three weeks ago: “I’m not happy with the situation, this is normal. “But I am a worker and I must not [...]
Serbian-born TV mogul enters £100m deal to buy majority stake in Saints January 4, 2022 Southampton have confirmed a takeover deal led by Serbian-born cable television mogul Dragan Solak in a deal thought to be worth £100m. Solak is the lead investor of Sport Republic, who have purchased the shareholding of the club held by current owner Gao Jisheng (80%). They will work in partnership with Katharina Liebherr, who retains [...]
Best of 2021: Athletic Bilbao’s two Copa del Rey finals, unique philosophy, and the roles of identity and loyalty in sporting success January 2, 2022 Athletic Bilbao are mid table in LaLiga but maintain their devotion to loyalty and philosophy. Here, Frank Dalleres looks at the oldest club in the Spanish top-flight. Originally published 31 March 2021. Athletic Bilbao manager Marcelino Garcia Toral could be forgiven for using the old cliche about every game feeling like a cup final. That’s [...]
Sport sponsorship: Forecasting the impact of the big events in 2022 January 2, 2022 Six months on from wading through the smashed bottles and broken dreams that littered Wembley Way after the calamitous Euro 2020 final, sports fans and sponsors can look forward to an abundance of major global events in 2022. As it happens, this year has been designated the United Nations International Year of Glass, so it’s [...]
Deloitte’s sport business forecast: Women’s football to reach new heights in 2022 December 31, 2021 This year has been one to remember for women’s football, with further significant growth in the women’s game, including a £30m sponsorship deal announced for the FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship, marking a new record for investment in women’s sport in the UK. More broadly beyond the UK, according to Deloitte’s analysis, 19 of the top 20 revenue [...]
Best of 2021: West Brom and Wales footballer Hal Robson-Kanu on his health drink business, the Turmeric Co, and targeting more Euros glory December 31, 2021 Hal Robson-Kanu has represented Wales nearly 50 times and has played in the Premier League. Here, Frank Dalleres spoke to the 32-year-old about his health drink business and his Euros targets. Originally published 2 May 2021. 2016 was a breakthrough year for Hal Robson-Kanu, and not only because he scored one of international football’s most [...]
Premier League: Leicester vs Norwich postponed over Covid-19 and injuries December 30, 2021 Norwich have confirmed that Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City has been postponed. The Canaries have identified a number of positive Covid-19 tests at Carrow Road and have injuries in their wider squad. Current Premier League rules state that to fulfil a fixture there should be 14 players available, 13 outfield and one goalkeeper. [...]
Chelsea’s annual loss tops £145m despite increased turnover December 30, 2021 Chelsea FC have announced an annual loss of £145.6m after tax in the year leading to 30 June 2021. The club, owned by Roman Abramovich since 2003, did however increase its turnover to £416.8m – up from £387.8m. Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League and are reigning European Champions, having beaten Manchester City [...]
Premier League: Title race could be over before Liverpool next play December 29, 2021 Liverpool missed their chance to close their Premier League deficit to Manchester City to just three points after losing 1-0 to Leicester City last night, and could be 12 points behind the Mancunians before they next take to the field. What began as a two or even three horse race has whittled down to what [...]