No away fans at Premier League games until next season after clubs decide to keep last two matches of the season for home supporters only May 5, 2021 The final two rounds of the Premier League season will reopen to home fans only, organisers have confirmed. There had been speculation that a small number of away supporters would be permitted to attend games once lockdown is eased further on 17 May. But that has now been ruled out, with the Premier League citing [...]
Premier League introduces new Owners’ Charter in wake of European Super League saga May 3, 2021 The Premier League will require all clubs to sign up to a new Owners’ Charter, committing them to the principles of football. The Premier League has taken action to prevent a repeat of its clubs threatening to breakaway in response to the Super League fallout. Six top-flight teams, including Manchester United and Liverpool, announced late [...]
Hal Robson-Kanu interview: West Brom and Wales footballer on his health drink business, the Turmeric Co, and targeting more Euros glory May 2, 2021 2016 was a breakthrough year for Hal Robson-Kanu, and not only because he scored one of international football’s most memorable goals. His strike against Belgium at the European Championship – a Cruyff turn and finish that Johan himself would have been proud of – sent Wales into a major semi-final for the first time and [...]
European Super League fallout: Tottenham fans’ group calls for radical shake-up of football club ownership May 1, 2021 Club executives involved in the failed European Super League were forced to resign from advisory roles at the Premier League this week. The move was a consequence of England’s so-called ‘Big Six’ – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – agreeing to join a new breakaway competition which collapsed under the [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Taxman cometh for football (again); BT Sport; Simone Biles; social media boycott; and NHS x NFL draft April 29, 2021 HMRC has cashed in by increasing scrutiny of the football industry, so perhaps it should be no surprise that the taxman has begun a new crackdown on players and clubs. Investigations into footballers almost tripled in 2019-20, while those concerning clubs more than doubled. The result was an increase from £35m to £73m in tax [...]
Spotify founder Daniel Ek says he is “very serious” about Arsenal takeover interest and has secured the funds to make Stan Kroenke an offer April 28, 2021 Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek says he has secured the financial backing to make an offer for Arsenal. The Swedish billionaire, who is chief executive and part-owner of the music streaming platform, added that he was “very serious” about buying the Premier League football club. Ek also urged current Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke to listen to [...]
Premier League set for TV cash boost after it agrees to renew £4.7bn contracts with Sky, BT and Amazon on same terms April 27, 2021 The Premier League is close to renewing its £4.7bn domestic broadcast contracts with Sky, BT and Amazon, according to reports. It has chosen a private sale to current partners on the same terms as existing deals rather than a traditional auction of the rights for 2022-2025, according to SportBusiness Media. The arrangement must still be [...]
Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira join Spotify founder Daniel Ek in Arsenal takeover bid April 26, 2021 Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek has recruited Arsenal greats Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Vieira to his attempt to buy the club. Ek, who is estimated to be worth £3.4bn, declared his interest in a takeover on Friday as thousands of Arsenal fans protested against current owner Stan Kroenke. The Swede is now working with [...]
Europe’s lesser lights put Super League plotting in shade in across the continent April 26, 2021 The European Super League (ESL) has hogged the headlines to such an extent lately that it has obscured the real drama playing out across the continent. With just a handful of games left to play in this most unpredictable of seasons, league titles and Champions League places remain the subject of fierce tussles in Spain, [...]
Screenshot: Is the Super League the biggest PR disaster of all time? April 23, 2021 This week **Media Moment of the Week: Radio loses a legend **Is the Super League the biggest PR disaster of all time? **Is Netflix’s pandemic party finally over? Media Moment of the Week: Radio loses a legend For many Brits, radio has been a much-needed source of entertainment (and company) during the pandemic. But long [...]