World Cup: No Plan B if Iran don’t show up, insists Fifa boss Infantino March 31, 2026 Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists there is “no Plan B” if Iran do not take their place at the World Cup but ruled out moving their games from the US to Mexico. Iran’s participation has been in serious doubt since the US and Israel began a military offensive on the country in late February. Iranian [...]
Cardiff City fails in £100m claim against Nantes over Emiliano Sala death March 30, 2026 Cardiff City’s £100m Emiliano Sala compensation claim has been dismissed by a French judge. The League One club had been claiming over £100m in compensation for loss of income and damages after footballer Sala died when a plane carrying him to Wales for his transfer to the Premier League crashed into the English Channel in [...]
Will AI replace gambling as Premier League front-of-shirt preference? March 29, 2026 AI companies have set their sights on sports. The Premier League already has competition-wide AI deals with Microsoft and Adobe, and recently Chelsea FC cut a front of shirt deal with industrial AI company IFS. These firms are in an extraordinary period of growth, and they have deep pockets to elevate their brands. They know [...]
Premier League +, VPN piracy and lessons from Norway and France March 28, 2026 The Premier League is built on its precious media rights but will its new streaming service be susceptible to the piracy that just scuppered a similar service in Norway? In less than five months’ time the Premier League will take one of the most significant steps in its history when it launches its own direct-to-consumer [...]
Ronaldo financial interest secure in $55m wellness brand acquisition March 27, 2026 Football star Cristiano Ronaldo will maintain a financial interest in UK-based supplement business Bioniq despite its sale to wellness giant Herbalife. Portugal striker Ronaldo, who is currently competing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, invested in Bioniq in 2024 as the footballer looked to expand his portfolio beyond football and his CR7 empire. But [...]
Cole Palmer: Why Chelsea and England star trademarked ‘Cold Palmer’ celebration March 27, 2026 With Cole Palmer set for the Fifa World Cup this summer, why did he choose to trademark his Cold Palmer celebration? City AM asked the team behind the move. “Intellectual property: intangible property that is the result of creativity, such as patents, copyright or other,” the Oxford Dictionary says. It’s something we’d expect to be [...]
Tottenham Hotspur relegation: A black swan event the Premier League needs? March 26, 2026 The Premier League trades on its unpredictability so the relegation of Spurs, one of its ever-present clubs, could offer a Leicester-like lift in a dull season, says Ed Warner. Barnsley, Oldham Athletic, Bradford City, Swindon Town, Portsmouth. Just a few members of the not-so-exclusive club of 16 teams that Tottenham Hotspur fans will be desperate [...]
EC urged to stop Fifa’s ‘aggressive and exploitative’ World Cup ticket prices March 24, 2026 The European Commission has been urged to intervene over Fifa’s “aggressive and exploitative” ticket sale policies for this summer’s World Cup. Prices at the tournament provoked widespread outcry when they were revealed last year, with the cheapest tickets for the final initially costing £3,000 and now listed for much more. Consumer rights group Euroconsumers and [...]
Scandal rocks Czech football on eve of Republic of Ireland World Cup play-off March 24, 2026 Czech football has reportedly been rocked by the biggest match-fixing scandal in its history on the eve of the national team’s World Cup play-off with the Republic of Ireland. Following a three-year investigation involving Interpol, Europol and Uefa, dawn raids are said to have taken place this morning targeting almost 50 players, officials, clubs and [...]
Coe urged to stand for London Mayor in move that could hit Manchester United March 24, 2026 Lord Coe has been urged to challenge Sadiq Khan in the race to be London Mayor in a move that could cast doubt on his ability to help Manchester United build their new stadium. Two-time Olympic champion and former Tory MP Coe is the current president of World Athletics, but is being urged to take [...]