European Super League organisers claimed Bayern had caved in order to tempt PSG to table May 4, 2021 European Super League organisers lied about which teams had joined the breakaway in a bid to get others to sign up, sources close to the talks have claimed. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, last season’s Champions League finalists, were among the big clubs to refuse a spot in the scuppered project. But just hours before [...]
Indian Premier League suspended after several players test positive for Covid-19 May 4, 2021 Cricket’s Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended after a number of players fell victim to the country’s rising Covid-19 cases. Fixtures scheduled for Monday and Wednesday had already been called off as a result of players testing positive for the virus. Organisers said they had “unanimously decided to postpone IPL 2021 season, with immediate [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Premiership rugby clubs issue warning to British and Irish Lions chiefs over scheduling after reaching player release agreement April 27, 2021 Premiership clubs have taken a swipe at British and Irish Lions chiefs after finally signing off the release of their players for this summer’s tour of South Africa. England’s top-flight rugby teams were unhappy at the Lions scheduling a pre-tour warm-up match against Japan at Murrayfield on 26 June – the same day as the [...]
Formula 1 to use ‘sprint qualifiying’ to decide grid position at some races, starting with the British Grand Prix April 27, 2021 Formula 1 is to introduce “sprint qualifying” races on the Saturdays of some grand prix weekends. The 100km sprints – roughly a third of a full grand prix – will not only be used to set grid positions for Sunday’s main race but will also be worth points for the three fastest drivers. July’s British [...]
IPL suffers spate of withdrawals, including Ravichandran Ashwin, as Covid-19 cases top 350,000 per day in India April 26, 2021 The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been hit by a series of player withdrawals amid growing concern about Covid-19 rates in the country. India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin became the most high-profile cricketer to walk away from the lucrative Twenty20 competition when he announced he was “taking a break” on Sunday. Australian trio Kane Richardson, Adam [...]
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 [...]