Week in Sportbiz: Ukraine told to change Russia-baiting Euro 2020 kit; Germany muscles in on London NFL patch; beIN and Channel 4 bag rights deals June 10, 2021 Euro 2020 may not have started yet but it has already kicked off between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine tweaked the nose of Russia earlier this week when it revealed a Moscow-baiting new football kit, to be worn at Euro 2020. The yellow shirt features a map of Ukraine that includes Crimea, which Russia annexed in [...]
Covid-19 at Euro 2020: What are the rules if players test positive for coronavirus during the tournament? June 10, 2021 The Covid-19 pandemic may not be over yet but Euro 2020 is about to take place, a year later than planned, all across Europe. Despite measures in place to minimise the risk of infection, it is likely that teams will suffer outbreaks during the tournament. So what happens if a player tests positive for Covid-19 [...]
Six Premier League clubs fined £22m over failed European Super League project June 9, 2021 The Premier League has fined six English clubs who tried to join a breakaway European Super League a combined £22m. The rebel teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – will pay £3.67m each. But they face fines of £25m per club and 30-point deductions should they attempt a similar [...]
Vaccine passports to be used to admit football fans at England Euro 2020 matches June 8, 2021 Vaccine passports will be used to admit fans to UK sporting events for the first time at Euro 2020. Football supporters attending any of England’s three group games at Wembley will need to present the NHS app to prove they have had two jabs, or show evidence of a recent negative test. If they are [...]
Trevor Steven: Jack Grealish and Phil Foden can carry England to glory at Euro 2020, but they’ll have to beat classy France June 8, 2021 In preparation for this column I tried one of those Euro 2020 predictors and, after I’d had a stab at guessing all the results, the final I got was France v England. The process was by no means a science, but the outcome isn’t too far off what I imagine will happen over the next [...]
Debbie Hewitt to become first female chair of the FA as she leaves Restaurant Group June 8, 2021 Debbie Hewitt is set to become the FA’s first female chair, with the Restaurant Group confirming she will be leaving the same position at the hospitality firm this morning. Hewitt will leave the Restaurant Group – which owns Wagamama and Frankie and Benny’s – at the end of December 2021. Read more: FA Cup to [...]
Ben White replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold in England Euro 2020 squad June 7, 2021 Brighton defender Ben White has been given the final place in the England squad for Euro 2020. White, who has two caps, replaces full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was ruled out of the tournament by injury last week. England begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday. White, 23, only made his debut [...]
Kevin De Bruyne named PFA Player of the Year for the second year running June 6, 2021 Kevin De Bruyne has been named men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden won the men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award. Chelsea’s Fran Kirby was voted women’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year, while a third City player, Lauren Hemp, won the women’s [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Mexican stand-off over Club Necaxa NFT; press conferences overshadow French Open; English football in distress June 3, 2021 From NBA Top Shot to Christian Fuchs, the march of the NFT in sport has looked unstoppable. Until now, that is. Mexican football chiefs this week put the brakes on the plans of Club Necaxa to become the world’s first sports team to sell an ownership stake using blockchain technology. Club Necaxa, whose shareholders include [...]
Exclusive: Vegan footballer Chris Smalling invests six-figure sum in plant-based meat company Heura June 3, 2021 Former Manchester United footballer Chris Smalling has become an investor in plant-based meat company Heura. Smalling, who switched to a vegan diet five years ago, is understood to have invested a six-figure sum in the Spanish brand. “Backing from a top athlete like Chris further bolsters Heura’s nutritional credentials, which are second to none,” said [...]