Architect of Premier League calls for it to be cut to 18 teams September 29, 2024 The Premier League should be trimmed to just 18 teams in order to tackle the player workload row dividing the game, says former chief David Dein. Europe’s 20-team domestic leagues are coming under increasing pressure to slim down as clubs juggle additional European games and the imminent expanded Club World Cup. France’s Ligue 1 joined [...]
Three charts which show why Manchester United want a new stadium September 27, 2024 Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made renovating Old Trafford or building a brand new stadium one of his top priorities since investing in Manchester United. Ratcliffe wants the club’s home to be a modern, 100,000-seater stadium and has assembled a task force that includes Lord Coe and Gary Neville to shape the plans. The project is [...]
Premier League fantasy football partner Sorare charged by Gambling Commission September 26, 2024 Cryptocurrency based fantasy football game Sorare, an official Premier League partner, has been ordered to appear in court next week on the charge of providing unlicensed gambling facilities to British consumers. The charges have been brought by the Gambling Commission, which first opened an investigation into Sorare in October 2021, and could lead to unlimited [...]
Premier League spent over £45m on legal costs in 2023-24 season September 26, 2024 The Premier League spent more than £45m on legal costs over the 2023-24 football season in an effort to fight alleged rule breakers. The body that runs England’s top flight is currently in ongoing disputes having also concluded proceedings on a number of matters across last season. Everton were hit with two separate points deductions [...]
Ed Warner: A player power reckoning is coming for football and cricket September 26, 2024 Whether or not Rodri truly believes over-worked footballers are close to taking strike action, his comments have certainly had cut-through. Athlete strikes are not without precedent, in football and elsewhere. Think of the four strikes in the NFL’s history plus its owner lockouts, and Argentina’s football strike of 2017. Back in 2001, English footballers voted [...]
Wimbledon fundraiser hits £100,000 after pitch sinkhole September 25, 2024 The fundraiser to help AFC Wimbledon after sinkholes appeared at their stadium following flooding breached the £100,000 barrier yesterday. A £15,000 donation from Newcastle United, who Wimbledon were set to host at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup, led the generosity while other donations, including a child’s pocket money, helped [...]
Ahead of the Game: ECB threatens to withhold Hundred franchise over Hampshire sale September 25, 2024 Hampshire have been warned they will be blocked from taking control of the Southern Brave if prospective new owners Delhi Capitals do not pay a fair market value for the Hundred franchise. In a significant intervention that could also apply to Yorkshire, who are in takeover talks with Sunrisers Hyderabad, the England and Wales Cricket [...]
New look Europa League explained: How does it work and is it still on Thursdays? September 24, 2024 The Champions League revamp may have taken all of the headlines but the Europa League also has a new format, which Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers will sample for the first time this week. Roma, Lazio, Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Ajax, Lyon, Porto, Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray have also reached the competition’s league phase which, [...]
Arsenal manager Arteta hits back at Man City ‘dark arts’ accusations September 24, 2024 Mikel Arteta has rejected Manchester City’s suggestions that his Arsenal team employ football’s “dark arts” and says their injury list proves it. City players John Stones and Bernardo Silva accused Arsenal of gamesmanship after their fiery 2-2 draw on Sunday, in which several of Arteta’s men required medical treatment. As 10-man Arsenal were defending a [...]
Old Trafford development could be worth £7.3bn to UK economy each year September 23, 2024 A new Old Trafford development could boost the UK economy by over £7bn per year should Manchester United’s masterplan become a reality. United, who last year had a 27 per cent stake in the club purchased by chemicals billionaire and Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are looking to spend £2bn on a new 100,000 capacity [...]