Week in Sportbiz: Fifa spooked into action by Super League talk; Uefa may rip up Euro 2020 plans; London Marathon chiefs eye records January 21, 2021 Is football governing bodies’ ultimate bogeyman the European Super League in danger of actually happening? Fifa and its six confederations, including Uefa, have been sufficiently spooked into warning they will ban any footballer who takes part in a putative breakaway competition from playing in World Cups and their regional equivalents, such as the European Championship. [...]
Deliveroo appoints Next boss Simon Wolfson to board January 19, 2021 Deliveroo has appointed Next chief executive Lord Simon Wolfson to its board as a non-executive director. Wolfson, who has led the high street fashion chain since 2001, took up the role this week. It comes as the food delivery platform gears up for what could be the largest initial public offering of the year. Deliveroo [...]
Phil Neville tipped to become coach of David Beckham’s Inter Miami after leaving England Women with immediate effect January 18, 2021 Phil Neville is stepping down as England women’s team manager with immediate effect and expected to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Neville, 43, has been in talks with the Major League Soccer men’s side, who have a vacancy since sacking manager Diego Alonso this month. The Football Association said it would shortly appoint an interim [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Amazon and private equity target Serie A; Arsenal pick Garlick; sponsors keep faith; and boosts for electric racing January 14, 2021 Amazon’s foray into broadcasting Premier League matches could be a taste of things to come in Italy. The retail behemoth has held talks about buying the domestic rights to show Serie A on its Prime Video platform, according to multiple reports. Amazon has already secured a foothold in the Italian market, snapping up some Champions [...]
Trevor Steven: It’s time for Manchester United to cut loose and show they deserve to lead the Premier League January 14, 2021 When Liverpool and Manchester United meet it is always a massive fixture for both clubs and their fans. But this Sunday at Anfield the match will have wider significance, due to United and Liverpool being first and second in the Premier League. It’s strange. A few weeks ago, the only discussion around United concerned Ole [...]
Deliveroo picks banks as it gears up for blockbuster float January 13, 2021 Deliveroo is said to have tapped four investment banks as it prepares for a blockbuster float on the London Stock Exchange this year. The food delivery app has hired Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Citi, Jefferies and Numis to work on an initial public offering that could value it at more than £5bn, Sky News [...]
Manchester City owner City Football Group makes Club Bolivar the 11th club in its network January 12, 2021 Manchester City owner City Football Group has added Bolivia’s most successful side, Club Bolivar, to their portfolio of football teams. Bolivar becomes the 11th team in the group but the first to be designated as a “partner club” to City. City Football Group said the tie-up would give Bolivar access to its expertise and proprietary [...]
Premier League rejigs Tottenham, Fulham, Chelsea and Everton fixtures after Aston Villa Covid-19 outbreak postpones Spurs game January 11, 2021 Aston Villa’s scheduled Premier League fixture against Tottenham on Wednesday has been postponed due the Covid-19 outbreak at the club. Tottenham will instead play Fulham in a rearranged match, while other fixtures involving Chelsea and Everton have also been affected. Villa closed their training ground last week and fielded a team of youth players in [...]
French football’s financial crisis: Why Ligue 1’s €3bn deal with Mediapro collapsed and what it means for the Premier League January 8, 2021 Lille OSC are flying high in Ligue 1, into the latter stages of the Europa League — and €125m in debt. This season, financial turmoil off the pitch is tainting the French football club’s on-field success. Last month, Lille’s major creditors JP Morgan and Elliott Management forced the club’s embattled owner Gerard Lopez to sell [...]
Aston Villa’s ‘significant’ Covid-19 outbreak puts Liverpool FA CUp third round tie in doubt January 7, 2021 Aston Villa have reported a major Covid-19 outbreak at the club which threatens the viability of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool. Villa said a “large number” of players and staff tested positive earlier this week. More positive test were reported in a second round today. The club has closed its training ground, meaning it [...]