Abramovich foundation trustee has links to Starmer advisor Powell April 7, 2026 A new charitable foundation at the heart of Roman Abramovich’s dispute with the UK government over the £2.35bn in funds from the sale of Chelsea has a named trustee with links to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Martin Griffiths, a UK diplomat and former coordinator for the United Nations, co-founded a ‘peacemaking’ organisation with Starmer’s [...]
Premier League criticise government over proposed AI copyright reform April 7, 2026 The Premier League has criticised the government over proposed changes to copyright laws relating to the use of AI. The reforms, which have been criticised by a plethora of musical artists, are aimed at making the UK an attractive tech hub, but have been met with concern relating to ownership of copyright information and access [...]
Newcastle United and Everton stadium sales are not solutions, they are delays April 5, 2026 There is a growing sense that elite football is attempting to outmanoeuvre its own reality. Not by solving its structural financial challenges, but by creatively working around them. The recent moves involving Newcastle United and Everton’s stadiums are not clever innovations, but symptoms of a system still unwilling to face the truth. Newcastle’s move to [...]
Abramovich defies Starmer with new foundation plan for £2.4bn Chelsea funds April 1, 2026 Roman Abramovich has responded to Keir Starmer’s legal threats to claim the £2.4bn sum raised from selling Chelsea by taking steps to set up a new foundation. An application for the creation of the Foundation for Victims of Conflict will be made this week with the Charity Commission, without the permission of the government. No10 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Clubs like Chelsea won’t be able to hide from regulator scrutiny March 22, 2026 English football is a global entertainment and cultural powerhouse, contributing more than £9bn annually to the UK economy. Matches are broadcast to hundreds of millions worldwide, with clubs operating not just as teams but as global brands. But with that status comes increased scrutiny of how clubs are run. Under the new Independent Football Regulator [...]
Chelsea hit with £11m fine and Premier League transfer ban March 16, 2026 Chelsea have been slapped with a £11m fine and a transfer ban for breaching Premier League rules under their previous ownership. An investigation into the London club found “undisclosed payments by third parties associated with the club were made to players, unregistered agents and other third parties” between 2011 and 2018, when the club was [...]
Arsenal: Leading the digital charge as well as the Premier League March 14, 2026 If Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy this season, it won’t just be a victory on the pitch; the club could also win the race to redefine how fans engage with football online. Arsenal are building a quiet revolution, investing in digital platforms that house ticketing, merchandise and original content to pull fans deeper into [...]
Emirates boss on Arsenal stadium, leaving F1 and NBA Europe February 26, 2026 Matt Hardy talks sponsorship and strategy with the executive vice president of corporate communications, marketing and brand at global airline Emirates. At the end of the Premier League season 11 teams will be forced to change their front-of-shirt sponsor and, for some sides, the brand on their strip is synonymous with a particular era of [...]